- January 14th, 2019, 6:01 pm
#569838
Fair-warning, this is kool-aid talk but fun either way.
I started thinking about our schedule for next season again and I had two thoughts, "is it a MAJOR stretch to think Liberty could crack the top 25 at some point next season?" And, "what would it take to be ranked atleast 25th in the final AP poll? Side note: Army finished 19th with an 11-2 record and 0 power 5 wins.
Starting with #15 Syracuse***
Syracuse will more than likely come in ranked in the top 25. ESPN's 'way to early top 25'*** has them coming in at #15. IF we pulled this upset off and I do think it is possible as they bring in a brand new QB, 3 new offensive lineman and their defense was average at best plus Hugh Freeze's offensive scheme is just that good! Back to the IF statement, if we upset Syracuse then our chances of cracking the top 25 will increase drastically. Now, looking at the rest of the schedule:
Away vs. Louisiana U.(7-7 and lost bowl game)
Home vs. Buffalo (10-4 and lost bowl game and brand new qb)
Home vs. Hampton
Home vs. New Mexico (3-9, beat them in 2018)
Away vs. NM State (3-9, split with them in 2018)
Home vs. Maine
Away vs. Rutgers (1-11)
Away vs. UMASS (4-8, lost to them in 2018)
Away vs. BYU (7-6, won bowl game)
Away vs. UVA (8-5, won bowl game)
Home vs NM State (see above)
You would think beating Syracuse would mean going undefeated due to the nature of such a high-profile win. However, we all have experienced to much heartbreak rooting for our Flames in recent years!
3 scenarios:
#1, we beat Syracuse but only lose to both BYU and UVA and finish 11-2 due to winning our bowl game. Does that do enough to give us a top 25 ranking? (If we come into the BYU game undefeated at 9-0 I think we could be ranked)
#2, we only lose to Syracuse, BYU and UVA but win our bowl game and go 10-3 with a power 5 win and victories over 2 bowl teams from 2018. Will this be enough to crack the top 25?
#3, we only lose to Syracuse and UVA but win our bowl game and go 11-2. Where would we finish the season in the rankings?
Thoughts?