New Mexico State (1-0) vs Liberty (1-0)
Game Info: Saturday, September 7, 2024 at 10:15 pm (Aggie Memorial Stadium)
Betting Odds: New Mexico State +21.5 / Liberty -21.5 --- Over/Under: 55.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Liberty Flames and the New Mexico State Aggies meet in week 2 college football action from Aggie Memorial Stadium on Saturday night. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Liberty vs. New Mexico State prediction.
Liberty Team Preview
The Liberty Flames come into this one looking to build on their season-opening 41-24 win over Campbell last time out. After this game, Liberty will have another conference opponent come to town when UTEP visits. After that, Liberty will face East Carolina.
Liberty Finishes Strong Vs. Campbell
Kaidon Salter threw for 242 yards and 2 touchdowns on 16 of 23 passing while also rushing for 48 yards on 9 carries. Quinton Cooley led the Flames with 110 rushing yards and a touchdown on 16 carries while Billy Lucas had 17 rushes for 78 yards and a touchdown. Ryan Burger also chipped in a rushing TD as well. Treon Sibley led the Flames with 5 receptions for 109 yards and a touchdown while Elijah Canion added 3 grabs for 77 yards and Bentley Hanshaw chipped in a touchdown grab as well in the victory. On defense, Teylor Jackson led the way with 7 total tackles including 5 solo tackles in the winning effort.
Why the Liberty Flames will win
- Liberty has won each of its last 14 games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- New Mexico State has lost 16 of its last 17 September games as an underdog.
- Liberty has covered the spread in six of its last seven games in September.
- New Mexico State has failed to cover the spread in each of its last three games.
New Mexico State Recap
The New Mexico State Aggies will try to spring the upset at home after starting the year by squeezing Southeast Missouri State by a final score of 23-16. After this game, New Mexico State will travel to Fresno State to square off with the Bulldogs.
Aggies Underwhelming In Win
Parker Awad threw for 37 yards on 5 of 17 passing while Deuce Hogan added 23 rushing yards on 2 of 5 passing. Seth McGowan led the Aggies with 87 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns while Mike Washington had a team-high 18 carries for 50 yards on the ground. PJ Johnson led the Aggies with 35 receiving yards on a pair of receptions while Kordell David added a team-high 3 grabs. On defense, Tayden Barnes added a team-high 9 total tackles while also logging the lone INT for New Mexico State’s defense in the win.
Why the New Mexico State Aggies will win
- New Mexico State has won each of its last four games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams.
- New Mexico State has covered the spread in each of its last six games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Liberty has failed to cover the spread in four of its last five games.
Liberty vs. New Mexico State Prediction
I’m on the Flames in this one. New Mexico State got the win in the opener but it wouldn’t look that way if you looked at the stat lines. The Aggies look like it’s going to be a long season in Las Cruces. Liberty on the other hand, needs to crank out impressive performances the entire way if they’re going to be taken seriously as a contender for the automatic group of 5 bid in the college football playoff coming out of one of the weakest conferences in the country in my opinion. I think Liberty will end this one by halftime. Give me the Flames.
Chris’s Pick Liberty -21.5
AUTHOR: Chris Ruffolo
Mitch's Take...
