Saturday, September 26, 2020
Florida International vs. Liberty (NCAAF)
6:00 PM EDT Liberty Premium Pick YouWager
Play Title: Mike's Saturday Night CFB Sharp Play
Play Selected: Money Line: -285 (WIN)
Rating: 8*
Analysis: The lines are sharp this Saturday so we'll look for the edge where we get it. Don't think for a SECOND that Hugh Freeze (went 8-5 in his inaugural season LY & is a spread-beater HC with a 56-33-1--63% record all-time) will have his troops FAT after that road-stunning 15-pt. dog 30-24 victory versus Western Kentucky @ Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium. There's more than hope for the Flames (averaged 33 PPG LY) as new QB & Auburn transfer Malik Willis (scored 3 TD's & had 168 yards rushing out of their team 354 LW) is a BIG upgrade this season. Butch Davis' Conference USA entry is in their first game & hadn't had much film to study on Willis & Co.. My bottom line says I'm not sure if unproven QB Kaylin Wiggins (most experience was @ FCS New Hampshire) can match the Flames firepower score for score. It'll be more than a tall task for the Panthers who lost QB James Morgan to the draft, 3 key offensive linemen along with 3 of their top 4 receivers. the Flames have a senior-laden offensive line with 5 of 6 (including TE) coming back this year. Look for this team to earn another bowl bid after beating Georgia Southern 23-16 in the Cure Bowl last season. Let's go to Williams Stadium in Lynchburg to play the LIBERTY FLAMES for the "W" as my Saturday Night CFB Sharp Play!
NOTES: When you look @ the final score of 36-34, this game looked like a dog fight. If you watched it, you'd know the Golden Panthers were lucky from the start. FIU got a 100-yard kickoff return from Lexington Joseph to take a quick 7-0 lead. However, speedster transfer from Auburn & now Liberty QB Malik Willis & fellow RB Joshua Mack combined for 192 rushing yards as the Flames held the ball for a +15 minute time of possession. Willis (now hitting his targets @ a 72.5% completion rate) & Co. had a decisive edge in total yards for the day to the tune of 527-304. We'll take another "W" any way we can get it as the Flames (an independent) stay perfect on the season. Be back next week as I try to run the CFB unbeaten streak to 5 weeks!
Mike Handzelek's 2020-21 CFB Overall Record: 5-0 100%
Mike Handzelek's 2020-21 Combined CFB & NFL Overall Record: 9-2 82%
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