Liberty Flames betting odds line spread pick predictions best bets

Liberty at Sam Houston odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Friday’s Liberty at Sam Houston odds and lines, with college football expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The Liberty Flames (8-2, 5-2 Conference USA) visit the Sam Houston State Bearkats (8-3, 5-2) on Friday. Kickoff from Elliott T. Bowers Stadium is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET (CBS Sports Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s college football odds around the Liberty vs. Sam Houston odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.

Liberty has won 3 games in a row after taking down the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 38-21 on Saturday as a 1-point home favorite. QB Kaidon Salter went 6 of 11 for 108 yards and a TD while the Flames had 419 yards and 4 TDs on the ground.

Sam Houston had a 3-game winning streak snapped Saturday with a 21-11 loss against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks while failing to cover as a 5-point road underdog. QB Hunter Watson went 13 of 25 for only 84 yards, but led the team in rushing with 21 carries for 105 yards and a TD.

– Rankings: US LBM Coaches Poll, conducted by the American Football Coaches Association and USA TODAY Sports

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Liberty at Sam Houston odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of college football odds. Lines last updated Thursday at 5:34 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Liberty -130 (bet $130 to win $100) | Sam Houston +105 (bet $100 to win $105)
Against the spread (ATS): Liberty -2.5 (-110) | Sam Houston +2.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 47.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Liberty at Sam Houston picks and predictions

Prediction

Liberty 27, Sam Houston 19

Moneyline

PASS.

There is better value on the Flames to cover the spread.

Against the spread

BET LIBERTY -2.5 (-110).

Liberty is 8-2 in its last 10 games with 7 of those wins coming by 7 points or more. Sam Houston has failed to cover 5 straight games while going 1-1 ATS in its last 2 home games. The Flames ability to run the ball effectively will provide them with the points needed for a tough road win.

Over/Under

BET UNDER 47.5 (-110).

Liberty has hit the Under in 2 of its last 4 games while allowing 21 or fewer points in 2 of its last 3 contests. Sam Houston has hit the Under in each of its last 5 games while scoring 14 or fewer points in 4 of its last 5 games. With a run-heavy offense on both sides, the Under is a great play.

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Jacksonville State at Liberty odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Wednesday’s Jacksonville State at Liberty odds and lines, with college football expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The Jacksonville State Gamecocks (4-3, 3-0 Conference USA) meet the Liberty Flames (5-1, 3-1) in a Wednesday night showdown in Lynchburg, Va. The opening kickoff at Williams Stadium will be at 7 p.m. ET (CBS Sports Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s college football odds around Jacksonville State vs. Liberty odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.

Jacksonville State won its fourth consecutive game last Wednesday when it drubbed Middle Tennessee 42-20 (covered -20.5). The Gamecocks rushed for a season-high 438 yards; only one other team (Liberty twice in 2023) has rushed for over-400 yards since the beginning of 2023. JSU has scored 203 points over its last 4 games.

Liberty also played last Wednesday and lost a regular-season game for the first time since 2022 when they dropped a 27-24 contest (as a -26.5 favorite) at Kennesaw State.

The Flames topped the Gamecocks 31-13 (covering a -7) in last year’s meeting in Jacksonville, Ala. (Oct. 10, 2023).

– Rankings: US LBM Coaches Poll, conducted by the American Football Coaches Association and USA TODAY Sports

Stream select live college football games and full replays: Get ESPN+

Jacksonville State at Liberty odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of college football odds. Lines last updated Tuesday at 10:05 p.m. ET.

Moneyline: Jacksonville State +110 (bet $100 to win $110) | Liberty -130 (bet $130 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Jacksonville State +2.5 (-110) | Liberty -2.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 63.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Jacksonville State at Liberty picks and predictions

Prediction

Liberty 31, Jacksonville State 28

Moneyline

Neither side has played much of a schedule, and that muddies the water in parsing some strengths and weaknesses.

But Liberty is at home and has the better defense. The Flames have yielded just 321.3 total yards per game; that ranks second in CUSA. Especially when it comes to success-rate analytics, the Liberty defense is a separator in this matchup. The Flames are especially strong on the defensive line, and in a game where both sides will look to hammer the ground game look for Liberty to have an edge in forcing more passing downs.

The Flames were much the better team when these foes met last October, and they can be regarded as a near-60% probability to take this one.

TAKE LIBERTY (-130).

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Against the spread

The Flames are a lean, but a 1-score game would not be a surprise. PASS.

Over/Under

Peg this matchup as being run-heavy, and an exchange into the 50s has a good probability of slowing before the scale is tipped.

Last year’s meeting cashed on an Under 59.5, and the UNDER 63.5 (-110) is the best leverage play on Wednesday.

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Liberty vs. Kennesaw State odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Wednesday’s Liberty vs. Kennesaw State odds and lines, with college football expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The Liberty Flames (5-0, 3-0 Conference USA) take on the Kennesaw State Owls (0-6, 0-2) at Fifth Third Stadium Wednesday evening. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET (CBS Sports Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s college football odds around the Liberty vs. Kennesaw State odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.

Liberty exits its bye week after narrowly defeating Florida International 31-24. They failed to cover as 16-point favorites and are just 1-4 ATS on the season. RB Quinton Cooley had 174 yards and 2 scores on 29 carries. QB Kaidon Salter only threw for 125 yards, but ran 2 scores in as well.

The Owls have failed to cover 5 straight games after a lowly 14-5 snoozefest loss last week to Middle Tennessee. Two QBs combined to go 10-for-27 for a whopping 103 yards. RBs Qua Ashley (11-79-0) and Michael Benefield (12-48-0) managed what they could on the ground. They have failed to score 2 TDs in 4 of 5 games.

– Rankings: US LBM Coaches Poll, conducted by the American Football Coaches Association and USA TODAY Sports

Stream select live college football games and full replays: Get ESPN+

Liberty at Kennesaw State odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of college football odds. Lines last updated at Tuesday at 3:49 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Liberty -3000 (bet $3,000 to win $100) | Kennesaw State +1300 (bet $100 to win $1,300)
Against the spread (ATS): Liberty -24.5 (-110) | Kennesaw State +24.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 45.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

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Liberty at Kennesaw State picks and predictions

Prediction

Liberty 35, Kennesaw State 13

Moneyline

There is no bet here. Liberty is a massive favorite, and we’ll just go straight to the spread.

PASS.

Against the spread

Despite looking like a turtle on a highway last week, I like the Owls here. As mentioned, Liberty has not been able to put teams away and cover the spread. Now, Kennesaw State is just 1-5 ATS as well, but Liberty has allowed 24 points in 4 of 5 games, and those teams weren’t exactly oozing machismo.

Take KENNESAW STATE +24.5 (-110).

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Over/Under

Liberty is 5-4-1 O/U in their last 10. Kennesaw is just 1-5 O/U this year, but this is a pretty small number. As mentioned, Liberty’s defense has allowed exactly 24 points in 4 of 5 games. They’ve also scored at least 28 points in 5 straight.

Take the OVER 45.5 (-115).

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FIU at Liberty odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Tuesday’s FIU at Liberty odds and lines, with college football expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The FIU Panthers (2-3, 1-0 Conference USA) and Liberty Flames (4-0, 2-0) tussle Tuesday night in Lynchburg, Va. Kickoff at Williams Stadium is7 p.m. ET (CBS Sports Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s college football odds around FIU vs. Liberty odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.

Florida International last played on Sept. 28 when it snapped a 2-game losing streak with a 17-10 triumph vs. the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. The Panthers have struggled on both sides of the ball. They rank outside the FBS top-100 in total yards (327.6) and yards allowed (408.0).

Liberty last played on Sept. 21, keeping its undefeated record intact with a 35-24 home win over the East Carolina Pirates. The Flames crawled out of a 17-0 hole in the victory. Two long 4th-quarter drives sealed the win.

– Rankings: US LBM Coaches Poll, conducted by the American Football Coaches Association and USA TODAY Sports

Stream select live college football games and full replays: Get ESPN+

FIU at Liberty odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of college football odds. Lines last updated Monday at 10:30 p.m. ET.

Moneyline: FIU +600 (bet $100 to win $600) | Liberty -901 (bet $901 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): FIU +17 (-110) | Liberty -17 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 54.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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FIU at Liberty picks and predictions

Prediction

Liberty 35, FIU 21

Moneyline

PASS: No interest here.

Against the spread

Liberty is 5-15 ATS across its last 20 games when lined as a double-digit favorite.

Neither side has played much of a schedule so far. The layoff for Liberty could be a factor here. And the Flames have been perhaps too reliant on big 4th-quarter performances.

FIU has some ATS wins on its resume (Aug. 31 at Indiana, Sept. 7 vs. Central Michigan, Sept. 28 vs. LTU) that bode well for its outlook here.

The Flames won last year’s meeting in 38-6 boat-race fashion, but look for a stronger FIU performance in this Tuesday nighter.

BACK PANTHERS +17 (-110).

Over/Under

The Over is 7-2-1 across Liberty’s last 10 home games when the Flames are favored. The Over is 4-2 in FIU’s last 6 road games.

Look for Liberty to get its points and have the lead, but for the Panthers to be more explosive than they were in last year’s meeting. FIU has done well in converting red-zone trips into 6-pointers.

On a good-weather night, the lean here is on the OVER 54.5 (-110).

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Liberty at Western Kentucky odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Tuesday’s Liberty at Western Kentucky odds and lines, with college football expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The Liberty Flames (7-0, 5-0 CUSA) and Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (4-3, 2-1) meet Tuesday at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium in Bowling Green, Ky. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPNU). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Liberty vs. Western Kentucky odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.

The Flames have won all 7 games so far, including an impressive 5-0 straight up (SU) and 3-2 against the spread (ATS) mark inside Conference USA. Liberty has done its best work on the road, going 3-0 SU/ATS, including a 31-13 win at 7-point favorites at Jacksonville State in the most recent road game Oct. 10. The Under is 3-1 in the past 4 games for Liberty.

The Hilltoppers are coming off a 20-17 loss at Jax State last Tuesday, losing outright as a 7.5-point favorite as the Under (60.5) connected. WKU returns home for the 1st time since a 31-10 win over Middle Tennessee on Sept. 28, cashing as a 6.5-point favorite. The ‘Toppers are 2-0 SU/ATS in 2 home games against FBS opponents this season.

Rankings: US LBM Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports

Stream select live college football games and full replays: Get ESPN+

Liberty at Western Kentucky odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:42 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Liberty -210 (bet $210 to win $100) | Western Kentucky +170 (bet $100 to win $170)
Against the spread (ATS): Liberty -5 (-110) | Western Kentucky +5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 61.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Liberty at Western Kentucky picks and predictions

Prediction

Liberty 45, Western Kentucky 24

Moneyline

Liberty (-210) will set you back more than 2 times your potential return, and that’s way too much risk for not nearly enough reward.

While the Flames have won all 3 of the previous meetings in this series, including 30-24 on Sept. 19, 2020 in Bowling Green, it’s still just a little too expensive for my liking.

PASS.

Against the spread

LIBERTY -5 (-110) is a strong play on the road. While the Flames have, well, flamed out, in the past 3 games, going 1-2 ATS, it is still 5-2 ATS overall. And the Flames offense has been on point, going for 487.9 total yards per game, with 274.6 rushing yards per contest. That number makes the Flames No. 2 in the country on ground. In addition, Liberty hoists up 36.3 PPG, ranking No. 15 overall.

Conversely, Western Kentucky +5 (-110) allows 203.7 rushing yards per game, which ranks 129th in the country. That’s a bad recipe for success against a Flames team that undoubtedly will try to run the ball down the throats of the ‘Toppers.

Over/Under

OVER 61.5 (-110) is a pretty big number, but the way Liberty piles up points, and the way Western Kentucky allows rushing yardage, the Flames could take care of a good chunk of the Over on their own.

While Western Kentucky has been much better defensively against the likes of Jacksonville State and Middle Tennessee in the past 3 games, it hasn’t faced a powerful offense like Liberty since the Ohio State loss.

Liberty has scored 31 or more points in 6 of 7 games this season, and it should get well into the 40’s in this one, needing little help from WKU to get the Over across the finish line.

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Middle Tennessee at Liberty odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Tuesday’s Middle Tennessee at Liberty odds and lines, with college football expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (2-5, 1-2 CUSA) and Liberty Flames (6-0, 4-0) meet Tuesday at Williams Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (CBS Sports Network). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Middle Tennessee vs. Liberty odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.

Middle Tennessee covered the spread as a 3-point home favorite with a 31-23 win vs. the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs last Tuesday as the total (54) pushed. QB Nicholas Vattiato threw for 248 yards with 2 TDs and rushed for a score as the Blue Raiders snapped a 3-game losing skid.

Liberty covered as a 7-point favorite with a 31-13 win at the Jacksonville State Gamecocks last Tuesday as the Under (59.5) hit. RB Quinton Cooley rushed for 2 TDs as Liberty improved to 5-1 against the spread (ATS) on the season.

These teams have not played each other since Liberty covered as a 20-point home favorite with a 41-13 win as the Under (59.5) cashed Oct. 9, 2021.

Rankings: US LBM Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports

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Middle Tennessee at Liberty odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 10:54 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Middle Tennessee +475 (bet $100 to win $475) | Liberty -650 (bet $650 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Middle Tennessee +14.5 (-115) | Liberty -14.5 (-105)
Over/Under (O/U): 56.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Middle Tennessee at Liberty picks and predictions

Prediction

Liberty 41, Middle Tennessee 18

Moneyline

Liberty (-650) should have no trouble keeping its undefeated season alive vs. the 2-5 Blue Raiders. However, -650 is too much to lay on the Flames.

PASS. Lay the points and/or the total instead.

Against the spread

We saw this line open at -13 Sunday, and it has been creeping up ever since. While -13 obviously would’ve been a better play, Liberty should still cover -14.5 vs. this Middle Tennessee side which is just 2-5 ATS on the season.

Middle Tennessee had failed to cover in 4 straight games before covering last week and has not covered in back-to-back games this season. While 7 games is a small sample size, at least Liberty has shown that it can string together good performances, and the market is reflecting that.

BET LIBERTY -14.5 (-105).

Over/Under

Middle Tennessee is 113th in the nation in opponent points per game this season (34.8), while Liberty is tied for 16th with the Oregon State Beavers in points per game (35.3). This is the best offense that Middle Tennessee has faced all season, and Liberty should be able to score enough to help the Over hit.

BET OVER 56.5 (-110).

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Liberty at Jacksonville State odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Tuesday’s Liberty at Jacksonville State odds and lines, with college football expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The Jacksonville State Gamecocks (5-1, 3-0 C-USA) welcome the Liberty Flames (5-0, 3-0) to Burgess-Snow Field at JSU Stadium Tuesday. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Liberty at Jacksonville State odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.

The Flames beat Sam Houston State 21-16 last Thursday, but failed to cover as a 21.5-point home favorite. Liberty is 4-1 against the spread (ATS) this season, and 2-0 ATS on the road. The Flames are led by QB Kaidon Salter, who has 1,176 passing yards and 12 TDs to go along with 306 rushing yards.

The Gamecocks are coming off a 45-30 win over Middle Tennessee, beating the Blue Raiders by 15 to cover as a 2.5-point road underdog. Jacksonville State is 4-1-1 ATS and 3-0 ATS at home this season. It is led by QB Logan Smothers, who has 5 passing TDs and 5 rushing TDs. The Gamecocks’ lone loss was in a 30-16 Week 3 loss to Coastal Carolina.

Rankings: US LBM Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports

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Liberty at Jacksonville State odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:31 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Liberty -250 (bet $250 to win $100) | Jacksonville State +200 (bet $100 to win $200)
Against the spread (ATS): Liberty -6.5 (-110) | Jacksonville State +6.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 56.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Liberty at Jacksonville State picks and predictions

Prediction

Liberty 31, Jacksonville State 24

Moneyline

PASS.

There’s no reason to bet a -250 moneyline favorite here even though Liberty is 2-0 on the road and undefeated this season.

Against the spread

LEAN LIBERTY -6.5 (-110).

Liberty is coming off a close call against Sam Houston State, but it has been terrific this season ATS and has continued possessions at a high rate.

Liberty ranks 16th in the nation in 3rd-down conversation rate while Jacksonville State sits 108th. The Flames have won 4 of their 5 games by double figures. They will be the better side offensively.

The Gamecocks haven’t played a competent opponent at home yet this season and have yet to be a home underdog, so this will be unfamiliar territory for Jacksonville State, which doesn’t have a QB with a completion rate over 60%

Back LIBERTY -6.5 (-110).

Over/Under

BET UNDER 56.5 (-110).

Jacksonville State is 2-4 O/U, and Liberty is 2-3 O/U this season. The Gamecocks have held their opponent to 30 or fewer in every game and have held their opponent to 14 or fewer in 3 of 6.

Both Liberty and Jacksonville State rank top 25 in opponents’ yards per play, respectively at 4.7 and 4.8. Expect defenses to dominate and take UNDER 56.5 (-110).

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Sam Houston State at Liberty odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Thursday’s Sam Houston State at Liberty odds and lines, with college football expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The Sam Houston State Bearkats (0-4, 0-1 CUSA) and the Liberty Flames (4-0, 2-0) meet Thursday at Williams Stadium in Lynchburg, Va., for a Conference USA game. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (CBSSN). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Sam Houston State vs. Liberty odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.

The Bearkats have dropped all 4 games and are trying to overcome an early-season offensive power outage. Sam Houston State scored a total of just 10 points in the first 3 games before a 28-point explosion at home against Jacksonville State in a 35-28 overtime loss last Thursday. After going 2-0 against the spread (ATS) in the first 2 games, Sam Houston is 0-1-1 ATS in the past 2 outings.

Sam Houston State’s defense allowed a total of just 27 points in the first 2 games, cashing the Under in each. The defense might be a bit tired, which would explain why it has been the complete opposite in the past 2 outings, yielding 36.5 points per game (PPG), resulting in 2 Overs.

Liberty has fired out of the chute with 4 victories and 4 covers, including a 2-0 SU/ATS mark at home. The Flames have split the Over-Under in the 4 games, including an Under (53.5) result last time out in a 38-6 road win at FIU in a conference game on Sept. 23.

Rankings: US LBM Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports

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Sam Houston State at Liberty odds

Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 9:39 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Sam Houston State +720 (bet $100 to win $720) | Liberty -1200 (bet $1,200 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Sam Houston State +19.5 (-110) | Liberty -19.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 45.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

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Sam Houston State at Liberty picks and predictions

Prediction

Liberty 38, Sam Houston State 6

Moneyline

Liberty (-1200) will cost you 12 times your potential return, and that’s way too much risk for not enough reward.

While the Flames are unbeaten and playing at home, and the Bearkats are winless, you simply cannot risk that much for such a small return.

AVOID.

Against the spread

LIBERTY -19.5 (-110) is a great play at home, as Sam Houston State just doesn’t have the offense to hang with the Flames.

LU has rolled up 33 or more points in all 4 games to date, and it has covered all 4 games, although this is easily the largest spread of the season. Still, it covered a double-digit spread as a 10-point road favorite at FIU on Sept. 23. The Flames are an impressive plus-7 in turnover ratio, too, which is another check mark in their favor.

The Bearkats finally awakened from their offensive slumber with 28 points at Jacksonville State, but are still averaging just 9.5 PPG overall. Sam Houston won’t be able to keep up with Liberty, especially on its home field.

Over/Under

UNDER 45.5 (-105) is the lean, but go lightly.

Sam Houston State will have difficulty solving the Liberty defense. The Flames have allowed just 16.7 PPG across the past 3 outings, cashing the Under in 2 of the past 3 games during the span.

Liberty’s defense has allowed just 310.8 total yards per game, and 182.3 passing yards per contest.

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NIT: Villanova at Liberty odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Tuesday’s Villanova at Liberty odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The 6-seed Villanova Wildcats (17-16) face the 3-seed Liberty Flames (26-8) Tuesday in the first round of the National Invitational Tournament. Tip from Liberty Arena in Lynchburg, Va., is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET (ESPN2). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Villanova vs. Liberty odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.

It was an up-and-down season for Villanova in the 1st season under the leadership of coach Kyle Neptune. However, the new coach had this team playing hard down the stretch, and Villanova really jelled as a group.

The Wildcats head on the road for this NIT game, but could easily be favored. It won its final 2 road games outright, and Villanova is a solid 7-4 ATS in the last 11 games overall.

Liberty was stunned by Kennesaw State Owls in the final seconds of the Atlantic Sun Championship. The Flames and Owls saw 9 lead changes, and 10 times the teams were tied in the title game. With just 0.7 seconds left, a shooting foul was called on Liberty’s Isiah Warfield, and the Owls took advantage with a successful free throw to snuff out the Flames.

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Villanova at Liberty odds

Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 11:15 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Villanova +130 (bet $100 to win $130) | Liberty -165 (bet $165 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Villanova +3.5 (-115) | Liberty -3.5 (-105)
Over/Under (O/U): 137.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Villanova at Liberty picks and predictions

Prediction

Villanova 75, Liberty 71

Moneyline

VILLANOVA (+130) heads down to Lynchburg looking to keep its season alive. The Wildcats won’t be fazed by a road game in front of a raucous crowd, as this team just played at Madison Square Garden in the Big East Tournament, and have been on the road in difficult environments all season.

In fact, Villanova has won its past 2 true road games, including at Xavier as a 4.5-point underdog on Feb. 21 at Cintas Center.

Liberty (-165) lost both of its games against top-flight conference teams this season by double digits, including a 36-point loss at Alabama, and a 14-point loss t Northwestern on a neutral floor.

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Against the spread

VILLANOVA +3.5 (-115) has managed a 5-2 ATS mark in 7 road games as an underdog this season, including the outright win at Xavier, and a near-miss earlier in the season against Michigan State. Again, ‘Nova won’t be fazed by playing at Liberty.

The Wildcats are 4-0 ATS in the last 4 games after a straight-up (SU) loss, and a non-cover, too.

Liberty -3.5 (-110) is an impressive 14-2 ATS in the last 16 at home. On the other hand, the Flames are a dismal 1-6 ATS in the last 7 games against teams with a winning overall record.

Over/Under

OVER 137.5 (-110) is worth playing lightly.

The Over is 6-2 in the last 8 games overall for the Flames, while cashing at a 16-7 clip in the last 23 road games for the Wildcats against teams with a winning home record.

One thing to really like about Villanova if you play the Over, it is a great free-throw shooting team. During the regular season, according to covers.com, this team led the nation at 82.3%. The ‘Cats don’t leave free points on the floor.

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ASun Tournament: Liberty at Kennesaw State odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Sunday’s Liberty at Kennesaw State odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The No. 2 Liberty Flames battle the No. 1 Kennesaw State Owls Sunday in the ASun Championship Game. Tip from the KSU Convocation Center is set for 3 p.m. ET (ESPN2). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Liberty vs. Kennesaw State odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.

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In their lone matchup during the regular season at Kennesaw State, the Owls won 88-81 and covered as a 6-point underdog.

Liberty beat No. 8 Bellarmine 76-56 Tuesday, Feb. 28. It then beat No. 3 Eastern Kentucky 79-73 on Thursday. The Flames covered a 16-point spread in the first battle then failed to cover a 12.5-point spread. They are 4-4 ATS over their last 8. Liberty is 17-11 ATS on the season.

Kennesaw State is 18-9-1 ATS and 23-8 straight up this season. They are 1-1 ATS in the tournament, beating Lipscomb 80-71 and covering a 5.5-point spread while also beating Queen University of Charlotte 67-66 yet failing to cover as a 7.5-point favorite.

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Liberty at Kennesaw State odds

Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:41 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Liberty -190 (bet $190 to win $100) | Kennesaw State +160 (bet $100 to win $160)
Against the spread (ATS): Liberty -4.5 (-105) | Kennesaw State +4.5 (-115)
Over/Under (O/U): 136.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

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Liberty at Kennesaw State picks and predictions

Prediction

Liberty 70, Kennesaw State 68

Moneyline

PASS.

Take the points instead of playing the plus-money home side.

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Against the spread

LEAN KENNESAW STATE +4.5 (-115).

The Flames were the worst team in the ASun on the road, posting just a 3-8 ATS record away from home. They were just 3-6 as a road favorite as well.

The Owls were 8-4 ATS at home and covered in this same situation on Feb. 16 despite G Darius McGhee hitting eight 3-pointers. The Flames were 11-8-1 ATS in conference games while Kennesaw State edged them there as well, posting a 12-7-1 ATS record.

Back KENNESAW STATE +4.5 (-115).

Over/Under

BET OVER 136.5 (-115).

Kennesaw State has gone Over in 4 of its last 7 games and has scored at least 70 in 6 of its last 7 games as well.

As for Liberty, it has gone Over in 6 of its last 7 games and has topped 75 in both tournament games and has scored at least 70 in 8 straight games, including an 81-point effort against Kennesaw State.

These teams were a combined 21-17-2 O/U in conference games this season, so they have consistently topped the projected total. Back the OVER 136.5 (-115).

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