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Conference USA continues their mid-week conference play when the Liberty Flames (7-0, 5-2 ATS, 5-0 C-USA) travel to take on the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (4-3, 4-3 ATS, 2-1 C-USA). Both teams played last Tuesday. Liberty won at home over Middle Tennessee 42-35, but did not cover as 16-point favorites. Western Kentucky lost on the road at Jacksonville State 20-17, losing outright at 7.5-point favorites. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 from Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium in Bowling Green, and can be found on ESPNU.
The Liberty Flames have a very realistic chance of finishing the season undefeated. Their strength of schedule will not allow them to make the College Football Playoff with just four teams getting invited, they would have a better chance in next year's format that opens the field to 12 teams. In their last game, Liberty quarterback Kaidon Salter threw for two touchdown passes on just 140 yards passing, but did add 160 rushing yards in the win over Middle Tennessee. Liberty running back Quinton Cooley ran for three touchdowns and 134 rushing yards.
Salter is averaging 213.3 passing yards per game, and 71 rushing yards per game. The dual-threat quarterback has 16 passing touchdowns to just three interceptions, and has added six rushing touchdowns. Salter's QBR is 75.2, which is 25th in the nation. Quinton Cooley leads the conference in rushing yards and is averaging 103.7 yards per game with s ix touchdowns. The run game has been effective thus far, Cooley averages 6.0 YPC, and Salter averages 5.8. CJ Daniels has been the top receiver this season, the 6'2 junior averages 72.7 yards per game and has four touchdowns on the season. Treon Sibley is a reliable second receiver with 55 yards per game and three touchdowns.
Liberty has the top offense in the conference averaging 487.9 yards per game, and has the top scoring offense at 36.3 point per game. Their defense is second in scoring, holding opponents to just 19.7 points per game. Linebacker Tyren Dupree leads the team in tackles with 65 on the season, he also has two sacks and two interceptions. Safety Brylan Green leads the team in interceptions with five. Their defense has generated an impressive 15 interceptions over seven games.
Injury Report: No recent injuries listed that will impact the depth chart.
Free Daily NFL Lock Pick, Sunday October 22nd: NY Giants vs Washington 1:00pmET CLICK TO SEE PICK NOW