The Liberty Flames and the Buffalo Bulls meet Saturday in college football action from UB Stadium. The Flames are fresh off a matchup versus New Mexico State. In that one the Flames bagged a 16-point win. As for Buffalo, they played Fordham in their game two outing. The Bulls would go on to fall in a close outcome. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.

Liberty Flames 

The Flames kicked off their year versus Bowling Green and things went pretty well. Liberty was up 24-14 after the first half and kept it going for a 34-24 victory. Quarterback Kaidon Salter put up 143 yards with two scores, and Treon Sibley led the receivers with 56 yards from three grabs. Salter also led the rush on 82 yards from 19 carries. 

In game two versus New Mexico State, the Flames scored 16 points in the second quarter on the way to a 33-17 win. Salter put up 276 yards with two touchdowns, and Quinton Cooley had 106 rushing yards off 20 carries. CJ Daniels was the leading receiver this time with four catches for 129 yards and a score. 

Liberty Flames Team Facts

Liberty has won 13 of its last 14 September games against non-AP-ranked teams.
Liberty has failed to cover the spread in six of its last seven games as a road favorite.
Liberty has won the first half in each of its last five games against opponents from the Mid-American Conference.
Liberty has won the first quarter in each of its last five games against opponents from the Mid-American Conference.
Each of Liberty’s last four games as a road favorite have gone OVER the total points line.

Buffalo Bulls

Over on the Bulls’ side, they had a tough draw in their opener versus Wisconsin. Buffalo stood tall in the first half with a 14-10 deficit but eventually couldn’t keep up in a 38-17 loss. Cole Snyder put up 194 passing yards with two touchdowns, and Mike Washington was the top rusher on 52 yards from 12 carries. 

Matched up against Fordham last weekend, Buffalo was up 30-26 going into the final quarter but gave up a couple of touchdowns from there in a 40-37 loss. Snyder had 265 yards with three scores in the defeat, and Washington led the rush again with 57 yards and two scores. Marlyn Johnson caught seven balls for 105 yards and two scores. 

Buffalo Bulls Team Facts

Buffalo has won three of its last four September games as a home underdog against non-AP-ranked teams.
The underdog has covered the spread in seven of Buffalo’s last eight games.
Buffalo has won the first half in five of its last six games against non-conference opponents.
Buffalo has won the first quarter in each of its last four games against non-conference opponents at UB Stadium.
Each of Buffalo’s last six September home games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

Buffalo ranked 11th among FBS teams for Q2 points per game last season (11.9).
Buffalo ranked T12th among FBS teams for Q2 win percentage last season (.692).
Liberty was one of only eight FBS teams to lose 3+ games when leading after Q3 last season.
Liberty ranked 21st among FBS teams for Q3 points allowed per game last season (3.8).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’ll likely stick with Buffalo, but I’m also probably not touching this one. All things considered, the Bulls did pretty well against Wisconsin in their opener. Buffalo managed 316 total yards (194 passing) and didn’t have any turnovers. That said, the Bulls had just 14 first downs and went a rough 3-of-19 on third- and fourth-down tries. In game two versus Fordham, Buffalo took a step back. The Bulls’ offensive stats look pretty good: 362 total yards (265 passing), 23 first downs and just one turnover. Buffalo gave up 459 yards (309 passing) on the other side however, with 27 first downs and 11-of-19 on third-down conversions which kept their offense off the field. There’s a lot to work on in practice this week, but I think the Bulls can cover if they play to their capabilities.