Syracuse vs. Liberty: TNIAAM predictions & poll

The Syracuse Orange football team enters the 2019 season ranked 22nd in both polls, and will start things off on the road against the Liberty Flames. It’s Liberty’s first game as a full-fledged FBS team, which is sort of notable.

Before this one gets going on Saturday night at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN+, the TNIAAM staff weighs in on who will win this season-opening matchup and why.

Brandon Ross

SU 49, Liberty 17

Liberty comes into this game with the advantage of Dino Babers & Co. not knowing what to expect on the field. However, the Flames also have multiple injured wide outs and a dinged secondary as well. Plus, as much as some LU fans think otherwise, there is a definite talent gap between these two teams. Liberty may catch Cuse caught off guard and get an early score, but I imagine that SU will get its act together pretty quickly.

Andy Pregler

SU 50, Liberty 10

Think this one is a laugher. Syracuse’s front 4 causes havoc early, and gives the offense a chance to get into a rhythm. I don’t think the offensive playbook gets opened up much, but we see a steady diet of Moe Neal, Abdul Adams, and Jarveon Howard early, setting up some DiVito deep balls that get us salivating. After last year’s QB2 fiasco, I don’t think we see Dino try anything with QB resting in this one, just more rotation along the line and skill positions.

Steve Haller

SU 43, Liberty 17

This should be a game that the talent level shows itself to be as apparent as it should be (contrary to what some on the internet think). If Liberty’s offensive line can handle Alton Robinson and Kendall Coleman consistently... well, there shouldn’t be any way that they will be able to. I see Syracuse maybe giving up a score or two early, but still well outpacing the Flames over the course of the game, ultimately coasting to a win.

Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images

Kevin Wall

SU 44, Liberty 27

After an uneven first half, Syracuse finds their rhythm on offense to take a double-digit lead. This allows Alton Robinson and Kendall Coleman the opportunity to step up their pressure leading to a pick-6 from Trill Williams. A garbage time Liberty TD makes the final score a bit closer but the Orange take the season opener comfortably.

John Cassillo

SU 45, Liberty 23

Syracuse doesn’t necessarily know what to expect from Liberty, but I have a feeling the Flames don’t have the book written on the Orange either given the change at quarterback. They might not be firing on ALL cylinders in week one, but still fully expect the offense to put up some points in this one, while the defense gets after Liberty’s line and hopefully causes some havoc. Perhaps the Flames are never truly put away, but SU still wins by three scores (and covers, if you care about such things).

Now it’s your turn...