Predictions, odds and tips for Liberty Flames vs. New Mexico State Aggies

The Liberty Flames head to Las Cruces, NM for a Week 2 game and conference opener against the New Mexico State Aggies. Last season, the Aggies came out of nowhere thanks to veteran head coach Jerry Kill and star QB Diego Pavia to make it to the Conference USA championship game. They have lost 5 games all season, including one within the conference. That includes a 33-17 loss at Liberty in the regular season on Sept. 9 and a 49-35 loss in the C-USA title game as a 10-point underdog. Now Kill is a consultant at Vanderbilt and Pavia is the starting quarterback there with special assignments. The Ags are devastated, narrowly missing out on a 23-16 loss to FCS SE Missouri State last week and failing to score as 10-point favorites.

The Flames struggled early against FCS Campbell, eventually winning 41-24, but as 40.5-point favorites, they didn't come close to covering the upstart Camels. Still, Liberty managed 28 first downs, 279 yards on the ground and 254 yards through the air. Liberty still has its star QB Kaidon Salter, and the supporting cast is strong once again in Lynchburg. If there was one part of the team that wasn't firing on all cylinders, it was the kicking game, which missed a field goal. In addition, Liberty uncharacteristically committed 11 penalties for 127 yards. Those two areas need to be cleaned up, but Liberty shouldn't have a problem covering them in this road game. The Flames swept the Aggies last season, and they were really good then.

Liberty vs. New Mexico State prediction: Liberty -22.5 (-110) available at time of publication. Playable to -23.5.

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