Old Dominion Monarchs vs Liberty Flames Prediction, Odds and Preview - 09/18/2021

Game Time: 6:00 pm ET, Saturday, September 18, 2021

Venue:  Williams Stadium, Lynchburg, VA

Where to Watch:  ESPN3

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Monarchs +27.5, Flames -27.5; Over/Under:  53 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Monarchs +27.5, Flames -27.5; Over/Under:  53 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Monarchs +27, Flames -27; Over/Under:  53 points

 

Old Dominion Monarchs:  1-1 (6th place, C-USA East)

Liberty Flames:  2-0 (3rd place, Independents)

 

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Old Dominion Monarchs:  won 1

Liberty Flames:  won 2

 

 

 

Last season the Old Dominion Monarchs averaged a 54.6% completion percentage, 176.4 passing yards, and 0.4 touchdowns per game through the air. They also averaged 98.6 rushing yards and 1.3 touchdowns per game on the ground. The Liberty Flames were averaging a 62.9% completion percentage, 229.5 passing yards, and 2.3 touchdowns per game through the air. They also averaged 252.4 rushing yards and 2.5 touchdowns per game on the ground.

 

 

Last season the Old Dominion Monarchs were allowing teams a 63.6% completion percentage, 223.5 passing yards, and 1.7 touchdowns per game through the air. They also allowed 151.3 rushing yards and 1.8 touchdowns per game on the ground. The Liberty Flames were allowing teams a 57.5% completion percentage, 186 passing yards, and 1.5 touchdowns per game through the air. They also allowed 133.5 rushing yards and 1.1 touchdowns per game on the ground.

 

Old Dominion are coming into this matchup with a 1-1 record overall, this will be their 3rd non-conference game in a row. They lost their first game of the college football season against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons 42-10 but then went on to win their last game 47-7 over the Hampton Pirates. D.J. Mack Jr. did not have the best game in that one as he completed 11/22 passes for 162 yards and 1 touchdown. The running game had a big day though. Jon-Luke Peaker led the team in rushing with 141 yards on 18 carries while Elijah Davis also had 109 rushing yards and 1 TD on 8 carries. Mack Jr. found the end zone himself 3 times on the ground in that one as well. It was a quiet day for the receiving corps though as Zack Kuntz caught 3 passes for 61 yards leading the team in receiving that day. Jason Henderson led the defense with 3 solo tackles and 4 assisted ones. No one had an interception but Amorie Morrison recorded 2 sacks himself in the game while D'Vion Harris also recorded 1. ODU has scored 57 points in 2 games now while allowing their opponents to score 49 against them. Their offense is averaging 424.5 YPG while their defense is allowing 269.5 YPG.

Liberty are coming into this game with a 2-0 record overall and have not played in any conference games on the schedule yet. They won their first college football game of the regular season 48-7 against the Campbell Fighting Camels and went on to win their previous game as well 21-13 against the Troy Trojans. Malik Willis had a solid game in their last as he completed 13/18 passes for 154 yards and 2 touchdowns. The run game did not do too much with Willis leading them in rushing yards with 93 and 1 TD on 20 carries. The receiving corps had a very quiet day as Demario Douglas led the team with 41 receiving yards and 1 touchdown on 3 receptions. Henry Chibueze led Liberty's defense with 4 solo total tackles, 2 assisted ones, and 1 sack. There were 6 different players on this defense who got to the quarterback in that game but Duron Lowe came up with the only interception for them in the game. Liberty has scored 69 points in 2 games while allowing their opponents to score 20 points against them. The Liberty offense is averaging 438.5 YPG while the Liberty defense has been allowing 250.5 YPG against them.

Liberty is the better team here and has been moving the ball really well on offense. They have been scoring points as well and Malik Willis has shown some really good play in his games. ODU has not had trouble moving the ball either. They scored a lot in their last game and should be able to put up some points on this defense as well. A bet on the over in this game seems like a good play as it is likely that both teams find the end zone quite a bit here.

 

Monarchs Flames Prediction:  Our NCAAF Pick for Saturday, Sep 18, 2021 (6:00 pm ET start time) is Flames 42 Monarchs 21.

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Old Dominion Monarchs: 2-0 ATS as a road underdog of 21.5 or more points. 4-2 ATS in road games.

Liberty Flames: 18-7 ATS in all games. 13-4 ATS after playing a non-conference game.

 

 

Old Dominion Monarchs:  None.

Liberty Flames:  J. Kourtis (OL) Ques Sat - Undisclosed injury. J. Lofton (WR) Ques Sat - Knee injury. M. Haskins (S) Ques Sat - Undisclosed injury.

 

 

Old Dominion Monarchs: D.J. Mack Jr. is one player to watch in this game. Not only does he command the offense but he also contributes in the run game as well, currently leading his team in touchdowns scored. If they are to do anything in this game on offense it will be through him so watch for him to make the plays here.

 

Liberty Flames: Malik Willis is one player to watch here. He has already shown to be a dynamic presence on the field in just 2 games. He leads the team in passing yards and in rushing so watch out for this dual-threat quarterback to make a big impact in this game.

 

“Quite frankly, I hope he never hits it because I hope we score touchdowns. I think he is one of the most accurate kickers that I could possibly, possibly imagine.” - Ricky Rahne on Nick Rice about to break the school record for most field goals made by a single kicker.

 

 

"I'm not sure what other quarterback in college football, and it's gotta be a small list in the NFL that can make that play." - Sean McEvoy on a play Malik Willis made on 4th-and-3 against VT.

 

 

 

WR Jennings III, Ali 

WR Harvey, Javon 

WR Paige, Isiah 

TE Anthony Jr., Donta 

QB Mack Jr., D.J. 

RB Watson, Blake 

 

WR Shaa, Kevin 

WR Frith, Noah 

WR Stubbs, DJ 

TE Huntley, Johnny 

QB Willis, Malik 

RB Mack, Joshua 

 

 

Passing: D. Mack Jr. (201)

Rushing: E. Davis (178)

Receiving: Z. Kuntz (80)

Touchdowns: D. Mack Jr. (3)

Sacks: A. Morrison (3)

Tackles: T. Hawkins III (10)

 

Passing: M. Willis (371)

Rushing: M. Willis (148)

Receiving: D. Douglas (125)

Touchdowns: M. Willis (2)

Sacks: S. Jackson (1.5)

Tackles: S. Jackson (7)

 

Coaches:

Old Dominion Monarchs: Ricky Rahne (2nd season)

Liberty Flames: Hugh Freeze (3rd season)

 

81 degrees F partly cloudy, 75% humidity, 0% chance of rain, up to 4 mph wind speeds E.