Sat Nov 16 18:10:00 UTC 2024: **Liberty Flames Underdogs Against UMass Minutemen in Week 12 College Football Matchup**

Amherst, MA – The Liberty Flames (6-2) will face off against the UMass Minutemen (2-7) this Saturday, November 16th, at Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium in Amherst, Massachusetts. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET, and the game will be streamed live on ESPN+. Despite being favored by 14.5 points, sports analysts are questioning Liberty’s motivation and preparation for the game.

Liberty’s College Football Playoff hopes are dashed, and their focus is now on securing their conference title, requiring wins against Western Kentucky and Sam Houston. Some analysts believe the Flames may not be fully committed to this non-conference road game against a less-than-stellar UMass team. This skepticism is fueled by Liberty’s underwhelming performance this season, including near upsets against weaker opponents and significant injuries impacting their roster. The possibility of key players being rested is also raised.

In contrast, UMass benefits from a bye week, giving them time to integrate a new quarterback following a season-ending injury to Taisun Phommachanh. The Minutemen’s performance against stronger MAC opponents earlier in the season suggests a potential for an upset. While acknowledging UMass’s overall weaker record, analysts point to the possibility of a surprisingly competitive game.

One analyst, predicting a closer score, favors UMass to cover the 14.5-point spread, citing Liberty’s lack of motivation and the potential for an unexpectedly strong performance from the Minutemen. The over/under for the game is set at 51.5 points. The game will be available to stream on ESPN+.

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