Fan the Flames Football Preview: Maine

Liberty returns to action this week needing three wins in its final six games to become bowl eligible. Why three? Because this week's opponent cannot count toward bowl eligibility because Liberty already defeated Hampton from the FCS Big South Conference this year.
The Flames are on a four game winning streak after sweeping New Mexico and New Mexico State in consecutive weeks.

Maine (2-4, 0-3 Colonial Athletic Association)

vs. 

Liberty (4-2, FBS Independent)

Matchup

Location:Williams Stadium, Lynchburg, VA

Series:  Second Meeting

Last Meeting: Maine 42-20 (10/10/92)

Kickoff: 6 p.m.

Radio: The Journey FM Radio Network/Liberty Flames Sports Network (Liberty) Alan York play-by-play; Black Bear Sports Network (Maine) Rich Kimball play-by-play

Television: Liberty Flames Sports Network/ESPN +, Matt Warner, play-by-play

Coaches: Hugh Freeze (First season at Liberty 4-2 record) , Nick Charlton (First season at Maine, 2-4 record)
Last Week: Liberty BYE, Maine lost to Richmond 24-17

This is a game where Liberty has everything to lose and nothing to gain as far as postseason ambitions. Having already defeated Hampton earlier in teh season, this game cannot count toward the six-win bowl threshold, but a loss, with trips to UVA and BYU on the horizon, could be a major blow. Maine. who went to the FCS semifinals last season, is in a pretty significant hole themselves, as according to Mike Lowe of the Portland Press-Herald when I talked to him earlier this week, "Maine is one loss away from seeing its playoff hopes end".
Liberty is well aware of the history of FCS teams beating FBS teams because they WERE the FCS team beating FBS teams like Baylor in 2017. Liberty will not overlook tjhe Black Bears, especially with former Maine running back in the Flames backfield for this one.

Liberty 42
Maine 21