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09-21-2018, 03:55 PM
#601
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09-22-2018, 12:29 AM
#602
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09-23-2018, 07:48 AM
#603
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09-24-2018, 08:38 PM
#604
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09-24-2018, 08:39 PM
#605
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09-25-2018, 04:37 PM
#606
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09-25-2018, 09:14 PM
#607
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09-25-2018, 09:14 PM
#608
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09-25-2018, 09:15 PM
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09-26-2018, 08:06 AM
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09-26-2018, 08:07 AM
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09-26-2018, 11:42 AM
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09-26-2018, 11:42 AM
#613
MEGALOCKS week #5
Liberty at New Mexico – College Football Predictions
Liberty at New Mexico – College Football Predictions
The Game
There may not be TV coverage of this bad boy, but rest assured, the BATTLE IN ALBUQUERQUE will indeed be happening on Saturday. Liberty won their FBS opener in blowout fashion at home over Old Dominion but struggled in the past two games vs Army and North Texas. New Mexico is sitting at 2-1 with a pair of wins over stiffs and a road loss to Wisconsin. Both teams are coming into this game off a bye. Let’s do this!
The Details
New Mexico -6 Liberty (65.5)
MEGALOCKS LINE – New Mexico -10
“Vegas” Implied Projected Score: New Mexico 35.75 Liberty 29.75
The Match-Up:
New Mexico offense vs Liberty defense
The Lobos have an emerging star at QB in Tevaka Tuioti who appears ready to go after leaving the game with Wisconsin early due to injury. Tuioti ripped something called Incarnate Word to shreds in week one (5 TD passing, one rushing) and was apparently (?) on his way to carving up Wisconsin before getting smoked. 3rd string QB Shiriron Jones struggled vs New Mexico St but still guided the team to the victory. Jones has benefited from extra practice time according to our NEW MEXICO PRACTICE TIME INSIDERS but the keys to the car will be turned over the Tuioti when ready. He is practicing, and it appears to be “go time”. The running game has been good so far and RB Ahmari Davis rushed for 4 TDs vs the Aggies. Tuioti is averaging over 13 yards per attempt (it’s early tho, yo) and should be able to hit some big plays vs the Flames’ secondary. New OC Calvin Magee has this offense looking good.
Liberty? The defense has been lit up the past two weeks, but to be fair, they faced an excellent running team (Army) and a powerful offensive squad (North Texas) in back-to-back games. Liberty has not been able to achieve much PENETRATION so far this season in terms of sacks (2) or TFL, and they have only forced a pair of turnovers in their first three games. It seems to us that the Lobos should be able to cruise into the 30s and maybe even into the 40s unless they barf all over themselves with turnovers and penalties. Keep in mind that the great North Texas passing attack didn’t even need to break a sweat vs the Flames since they ran for well over 300 yards.
Liberty offense vs New Mexico defense
Liberty used the momentum of a home date and their first game as a member of the FBS to roll Old Dominion in week one (38-cack in 2nd half). The offense has struggled mightily since that game and QB Steven Calvert is now completing just 54% of his passes (7-2 TD to INT) but he has added three scores on the ground. They do have some players on offense as their top-2 RBs are each averaging 6.5 YPC and they boast a pair of receivers who have recorded over 200 yards receiving in just three games. The New Mexico defense has been pretty sketchy so far but they have gotten decent PENETRATION (7 sacks in three games) and are coming off a game in which they tallied 5 (!) INT. They have some playaaaas in that secondary so it will be interesting to see what kind of success Liberty can have MATRICULATING down the field with the passing attack. The opportunities will be there for Liberty. Can they keep up with the Lobos?
Trends, Intangibles and More!
Liberty probably has the worst special teams in the FBS…..They are 1/2 in FGs (0/1 30+ yards) and feature some of the worst punting you will ever see. It’s a combo of lack of talent and injury issues. The return game is not going to cause problems…..We expect to see the Lobos win the field position battle and possibly even score on special teams if the Flames are not careful……Liberty plays their games at close to sea level (630+) whereas the Lobos dominate at an altitude of 5,100 feet….It remains to be seen how the Flames will adjust particularly in the 2nd half and/or if it is a fast-paced back-and-forth affair.
Summary
New Mexico looks ready to rock and roll, particularly with a healthy Tuioti at QB. The Lobos feature a really unique offense that gives teams trouble and the defense has proven to be optimistic. The Flames are in a lull right now and it seems unlikely that they can reverse their fortunes in this spot. Keep in mind that they are still a first-year FBS program that only won six games in each of the past three seasons. They need time to get the program to a respectable level.
Conclusion
Official play: New Mexico -6 -110.
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09-26-2018, 03:58 PM
#614
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09-26-2018, 03:58 PM
#615
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09-26-2018, 03:59 PM
#616
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09-26-2018, 04:00 PM
#617
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09-26-2018, 04:00 PM
#618
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09-26-2018, 04:01 PM
#619
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09-26-2018, 04:01 PM
#620
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