Fan the Flames Football Forecast: Gardner-Webb

After a much needed bye week, the Liberty FLames, after their first win over an FBS program since 2010, enter into the final sprint of the season as they open Big South play against a familiar first opponent...

 Gardner-Webb (4-3, 0-0)

vs. 

Liberty (4-3, 0-0)

This is the third time in four years that the Flames have  opened the lid on conference play against the boys from Boiling Springs. The last time the two teams met in Lynchburg, it was homecoming 2012. The Runnin Bulldogs did just that, sprinting to a 28-10 lead, before the Flames scored 32 of the last 39 points, capped off by a 5 yard TD pass from Josh Woodrum to Brandon Apon late in the 4th quarter to give (at the time) first year head coach Turner Gill his first victory as Liberty head coach. Woodrum finished with his second 300 yard game in three outings that day, and after starting the year 0-4, that win catapulted Liberty to 6 wins in their final 7 games on the way to their 7th consecutive winning season.

Both teams come in on a high, Liberty off the aforementioned win over the MOuntaineers, and Gardner-Webb winners of 4 of their last 5 games,including a win over Virginia University of Lynchburg (from the USCAA last I checked), as well as their second win over a SoCon squad in former Big South member VMI in Lexington last week.

With the improved play from the Big South, these next 5 games have an even greater importance, since this probably will be the Flames only chance at making the FCS playoffs this year. All six squads come in above the .500 mark after non-conference play, as well as three squads having already opened conference play in Coastal Carolina, Presbyterian (next week's opponent) and Charleston Southern.

Matchup:

Location: Williams Stadium, Lynchburg, VA

Series: 20th Meeting (Liberty leads 11-8-1)

Last Meeting:24-0 LU 10/26/2013

Kickoff:; 3:30 PM

Radio: Victory FM Radio Network (Liberty) Alan York play-by-play, Runnin Bulldogs Radio Network (Gardner-Webb) Fabian Fuentes play-by-play

Television: ESPN3 (National) Mike Hogewood play-by-play, Liberty Flames Sports Network (Liberty) Mike Tilley play-by-play

Coaches: Turner Gill (3rd Season at Liberty, 17-12 Record), Carroll McCray (2nd  Season at Gardner-Webb, 11-8 Record)
Last Week: Liberty BYE. Gardner-Webb 47-41 2OT vs. VMI

 The boys from Boiling Springs come in on a hot streak, winners of 4 of 5, the only blemish being a 37-14 loss to The Citadel down in Charleston. Redshirt senior QB Lucas Beatty had a career day, finishing with 430 yards, narrowly missing the single game passing yardage record by 57 yards. The running game is somewhat questionable with the status of starting tailback Juanne Blount uncertain according to Liberty beat writer Chris Lang on his blog. If Blount can't go, fellow senior JJ Hubbard (who served as the Wildcat QB against Liberty in 2012) will probably have to answer the call, along with freshmen Khalil Lewis and Kerry Bernard.

Prediction

Liberty has not lost to a team outside of Coastal Carolina at home since 2006, and outside of the comeback win in 2012 and a loss to GWU in Danny Rocco's first season at the helm, the games have not been close. the two prior trips to Liberty Mountain saw GWU outscored 70-24, including a 40-14 pasting in 2010. If Liberty comes out fast against the Bulldogs, the Flames defense should be able to put a muzzle on Lucas Beatty and the offense and come away with a two or three score victory

Liberty 31
Gardner-Webb 14

Thursday or Friday I will have my interview with Alan Ford, GWU beat writer from the Shelby Star so keep a lookout for it.