| MATCHUP | Gardner Webb Bulldogs | Liberty Flames |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 0-2 | 0-1 |
| Spread | +27.5 -112 | -27.5 -108 |
| Moneyline | +1800 | -5000 |
| Total | Over 55.5 (-105) | Under 55.5 (-115) |
| Where | Liberty Stadium | |
| When | Saturday, September 12, 2026 | |
| Time | 06:00 PM EDT | |
| TV | ESPN+ | |
Liberty Flames Preview
The Liberty Flames have a 0-1 record this season and are coming off a 13-20 road loss to James Madison, where they outgained their opponents 321-291 yards and had 58 total plays. Liberty had 230 passing yards, 91 rushing yards, and 17/27 completed passes. The turnover battle was tied 0-0, were 4/10 on third down conversions, and had 12-82 penalties.
Deshawn Purdie led Liberty with 17/27 passes and 230 passing yards. Kam Davis had a team-high 51 rushing yards, while Makai Jackson caught 3 passes for a team-high 73 receiving yards and one touchdown. Defensively, Derrell Farrar led the Flames with 7 total tackles, 3 of them solo.
Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs Preview
The Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs have a 0-2 record this season and are coming off a 13-17 road loss to Wofford, where they outgained their opponents 438-208 yards and had 82 total plays. Gardner-Webb had 378 passing yards, 60 rushing yards, and 31/54 completed passes. They lost the turnover battle by 3-2, were 7/16 on third down conversions, and had 9-77 penalties.
Cole Pennington led Gardner-Webb with 31/54 passes and 378 passing yards. Adrian Cormier had a team-high 32 rushing yards, while Kory Jones caught 6 passes for a team-high 135 receiving yards. Defensively, Tre Yanez led the Runnin’ Bulldogs with 8 total tackles, 2 of them solo, while AJ Mebane recorded one sack.
Gardner-Webb Running’ Bulldogs @ Liberty Flames Betting Trends: Week 2
Why the Liberty Flames will win
- Liberty has won 12 of its last 13 home games in September.
- The home team has covered the spread in three of Liberty’s last four games.
- Liberty has won the first quarter in three of its last four home games.
- Liberty has won the first half in each of its last six games as a favorite.
Why the Gardner-Webb Running’ Bulldogs will win
- Liberty has lost each of its last three games as a favorite.
- Liberty has failed to cover the spread in each of its last five games.
- Liberty has lost the first half in five of its last six games in September.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Liberty’s last six games against non-conference opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
Liberty Flames Player Prop Facts
- Heading into Week 2, Jaylon Coleman ranks T1st amongst qualified players for catch rate (100.0%) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- Liberty ranks T1st among FBS teams for Q4 opponent points per game this season (0.0).
- One of Liberty’s one games this season have been decided by a margin of seven points or less – equal-most amongst FBS teams.
Gardner-Webb vs Liberty Prediction
In this Gardner-Webb vs Liberty Prediction, Vanderbilt is coming as -21.5 home favorites. Both teams have been winless this season and both offensive lines have been struggling, as Liberty scored just 13 points in their season opener, while Gardner-Webb is averaging just 15 points per game. They have been doing well defensively as well and all of their three games played this season have gone under the total with 33, 30 and 52 total points, all below today’s total of 54.5. Take the under 54.5 points in this one.