Fan the Flames: Game # 10

I did something similar to this last time with Coastal Carolina but now it has an official name.

I will, starting with this weeks game against VMI, combine my Preview and Prediction into one post.

Liberty is coming off a heartbreaking loss to the Blue Hose of Presbyterian College 31-28, and (random stathound alert) This is actually Liberty's first loss in the state of South Carolina since 2006 (28-26 loss to Coastal). Liberty's playoff hopes took an almost deadly blow with the loss. The Flames still have a small chance of making the postseason but they cannot lose another game (including the very tough season finale at home vs Elon which very well could be for a playoff berth). Now the focus turns up 501 to an old foe...

#25 (7-2, 3-0)

vs.

(3-5, 1-2)

VMI and Liberty...well you cant sugarcoat it...they just dont like each other. The teams have met 7 times with the Flames taking 4 of the meetings including the last 2 in Lexington. VMI is led by converted slotback Tim Maypray who took over the signal calling duties with the injury to starting QB Kyle Hughes early in the season. VMI runs a wishbone offense and that means a lot of running plain and simple. In spite of their record the Keydets have rushed for a staggering average of 337.4 yards per game as a team led by Maypray and his 879 yards (approx 110 yards per game). Liberty is equal to the task running the ball led by Walter Payton Award candidate Rashad Jennings. The Flames have rushed for 2045 yards (227.2 yards per game) while allowing only 960 yards (107 yards per game) while the Keydets have allowed 1327 yards on the ground this year (166 yards per game).

The big issue for the Flames is trying to force VMI into something they do not do all that often...passing the ball. Maypray has only attempted 12 passes on the year (completing 8 for 202 yards and 4 TDs) so getting VMI to pass more than they run would be a definite advantage, although the Flames have had trouble with the short passing game (as evidenced by last week vs Presbyterian and a few other occasions in the Danny Rocco era).

Prediction:

Really how this game turns out will depend on which Flames team we see at Foster Stadium Saturday. If its the team that played last weekend in CLinton, this game will go south faster than a pack of birds in teh wintertime. If its teh team that pounded VMI in Williams Stadium last fall The Flames will dominate. After the Flames lost to Lafayette they came out guns a blazing against Charleston Southern. I think more of the same this week as they see the absolute need to finish this "unfinished business."

Liberty 56

VMI 21