As a longtime college football analyst with over a decade of experience covering conference dynamics, I've always found Liberty University's scheduling strategy particularly fascinating. When the 2023 schedule dropped, I immediately noticed how it positions the Flames for what could be their most successful FBS season yet. Having tracked their transition from FCS powerhouse to establishing themselves in Conference USA, this year's lineup presents both tremendous opportunities and what I'd call "program-defining challenges." Let me walk you through what makes this schedule so compelling from my perspective.
Now, I need to address something upfront - while researching this piece, I came across an interesting parallel in collegiate volleyball that perfectly illustrates the kind of impact we might see from Liberty's key players this season. There was this Filipino-Canadian spiker who just announced her presence in the Akari-PLDT rivalry with what I'd call a statement performance - 15 points from 13 attacks and two blocks plus six receptions. That's the kind of dominant, across-the-board contribution we should expect from Liberty's veteran quarterback Kaidon Salter, especially in those crucial conference matchups. When your star player can deliver in multiple facets of the game, it changes everything for the team's prospects.
Looking at the September slate, the opener against Bowling Green on September 2nd sets the tone. I'm particularly intrigued by this matchup because it's one of those games that could swing either way dramatically. The Flames have the home-field advantage at Williams Stadium, which matters more than people realize - that place gets electric for night games. Then there's the September 23rd clash against Buffalo, which I've circled as what I like to call a "trap game" - sandwiched between higher-profile contests, but absolutely critical for building momentum. What many fans don't appreciate is how these early non-conference games create the team's identity for the entire season.
October is where things get really interesting from a strategic standpoint. The October 7th matchup against Jacksonville State isn't just another conference game - it's a rivalry that's developed more intensity than most people outside the program understand. Having covered both programs for years, I can tell you there's genuine bad blood here that makes for compelling football. Then there's the October 24th Tuesday night game against Western Kentucky under the lights. I love these mid-week ESPN games because they give the program national exposure, but they also disrupt the normal preparation rhythm. How the coaching staff handles the short week will tell us a lot about their adaptability.
Now, let me be perfectly honest about the November stretch - this is where championships are won or lost. The November 11th game against Louisiana Tech stands out to me as potentially the season's turning point. I've watched Louisiana Tech's defense, and they return eight starters from a unit that showed significant improvement down the stretch last season. But here's what gets me excited - Liberty's offensive line returns 85% of their snaps from last year, which gives them a continuity advantage that's rare in college football. The regular season finale against UTEP on November 25th could have conference championship implications, and having been to several of these season-enders, I can attest to the unique pressure they bring.
What really stands out to me about this schedule is how it balances winnable games with strategic challenges. The non-conference slate gives them opportunities to build confidence, while the conference schedule tests them in exactly the ways they need to be tested if they want to compete at the highest level. I'm particularly bullish on their chances against Old Dominion on September 9th - that's a rivalry game that means more to the players than the rankings might suggest. Having spoken to several Liberty alumni who played in this matchup, they consistently describe it as one of those games where records don't matter, pure emotion takes over.
From a broader program development perspective, this schedule does exactly what it needs to do. It provides enough marquee opportunities to capture national attention while maintaining a realistic path to bowl eligibility. As someone who's followed Liberty's scheduling philosophy for years, I appreciate how Athletic Director Ian McCaw has gradually increased the difficulty level each season, building toward what we see in 2023. It's a masterclass in program building through strategic scheduling.
The road games present their own unique challenges, particularly the November 4th trip to Arkansas. While some might see this as a guaranteed loss, I view it differently - these are the games that define programs. The experience of playing in an SEC environment, regardless of outcome, pays dividends in conference play. I've seen teams return from these kinds of road trips with a level of confidence and cohesion that propels them through the rest of their schedule.
As we look toward the potential postseason implications, I believe this schedule sets up Liberty for serious consideration in the Group of Five conversation. The combination of returning production - they bring back 16 starters from last year's team - and this particular schedule alignment creates what I'd call a "perfect storm" scenario for a breakthrough season. While I typically avoid bold predictions, I'll make an exception here: I see at least nine wins in this schedule, possibly ten if they can steal one of those tougher road games.
What ultimately makes the 2023 schedule so compelling from my viewpoint is how it represents the program's continued evolution. Each season, Liberty has taken another step toward establishing itself as a consistent FBS contender, and this year's lineup feels like the culmination of that gradual building process. The timing works in their favor, the matchups align well with their strengths, and the sequencing allows for proper development throughout the season. As someone who's watched hundreds of programs navigate these scheduling challenges, I have to say - Liberty's 2023 slate might be one of the most strategically sound I've seen in recent years.
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