Syracuse-Liberty betting line: Orange opens as an underdog against undefeated Flames

Syracuse football vs Albany

Syracuse coach Dino Babersand team run out onto the field before Syracuse takes on Albany State at the Carrier Dome Sept. 18, 2021. Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.com

Syracuse, NY. — The Syracuse football team opened as a seven-point underdog in its Friday night home game against Liberty, according to the website VegasInsider.com.

If that line stays anywhere close to that place by Friday, the Orange will be an underdog for the third time in four games this season. The Orange has split its previous two games as an underdog, beating Ohio and losing to Rutgers.

Both teams have experienced up-and-down starts to the year, although the Orange has appeared more ragged and, probably, faced slightly tougher competition.

The Orange (2-1) has looked impressive in its two games against lesser competition but struggled in its loss to Rutgers, with an offense that has been mostly sluggish.

Liberty (3-0), has won all three of its games but hasn’t played any Power-Five competition, playing a close game on the road against Troy, along with two lopsided wins.

The Flames are led by quarterback Malik Willis, who is considered one of the top NFL draft prospects at the quarterback position, and his appearance against a Power-Five program is expected to bring the presence of NFL scouts to the Carrier Dome.

In Liberty’s three games this season, the dual-threat option has thrown for seven touchdown passes and run for four more. He had six touchdowns last week against Old Dominion, four passing and two rushing.

The Flames’ roster also includes Joshua Mack, a running back from Rochester, who grew up wanting to play at Syracuse.

Liberty beat Syracuse in the Carrier Dome last year, 38-21, a game in which the Orange was dominated up front by a surprising amount by a team from outside the Power Five. The Flames racked up 338 yards rushing, with seven players accounting for more than 70 yards each. Two of them, Willis and running back Shedro Louis, are back this season.

Liberty received the second-highest number of votes in the AP Top 25 poll among teams that weren’t ranked last week with 56. That placed the Flames between Texas Christian and Virginia Tech.

Liberty has only been a full-fledged FBS member since 2019, but the school has invested substantially in the sport — particularly for a school outside the Power Five — hiring former Mississippi coach Hugh Freeze and loading up its early rosters with transfers in an effort to become competitive immediately.

The plan has been effective. The Flames entered this season coming off back-to-back appearances in the Cure Bowl and finished last season nationally ranked at 10-1.

Contact Chris Carlson anytime: Email | Twitter | 315-412-1639

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