Western Kentucky at Liberty 9/19/20 - NCAA Football Picks & Predictions

Liberty will open there season on the road to Western Kentucky coming off a solid 8-5 season capped off with a win in the FBC Mortgage Cure Bowl. We got a glimpse at Western Kentucky in Week 1 when they traveled on the road to Louisville, falling 35-21 and falling in their third straight season opener. They’ll have a much easier task in this game than going on the road to a Louisville team that moved to 18th in the AP Polls after week one.

Liberty will be hardpressed to repeat their results from last season having to replace their quarterback, running back, and leading wide receiver. They do have an Auburn transfer at quarterback in Malik Willis, he had to sit out last season and has seen limited action at the college level but is 11/14 for 69 yards and a passing touchdown over the course of 2 years. He’s dangerous with his legs and has rushed for 257 yards on just 25 attempts for two touchdowns. Liberty returns three offensive line starters. 

Western Kentucky struggled on the offensive end and was never really able to get anything going until the second half. Western Kentucky totaled just 248 total yards and converted on just 4 of their 12 first downs. Tyrrel Pigrome led the team in rushing from the quarterback position gaining 68 yards on the ground and was 10/23 passing for 129 yards and a touchdown. 

The Hilltoppers defense was cut up by duel-threat quarterback Micale Cunningham who threw for 343 yards and three touchdowns and another touchdown on the ground. Western Kentucky allowed 144 yards on the ground and 487 total yards but should have a more manageable matchup against the Flames. 

Liberty lost its top three tacklers from a defense that was nothing special last season that ranked 68th in scoring defense allowing 28.1 points per game. The Flames allowed 422.5 yards per game last season and it will be difficult to even match those numbers having to replace a large percentage of their defense.