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Syracuse Football: Week 1 Liberty Flames crystal ball predictions

By Paul A. Esden Jr.

WACO, TX - SEPTEMBER 2: Stephen Calvert #12 of the Liberty Flames drops back to pass against the Baylor Bears during the first half at McLane Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
WACO, TX - SEPTEMBER 2: Stephen Calvert #12 of the Liberty Flames drops back to pass against the Baylor Bears during the first half at McLane Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) /
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Paul A. Esden Jr, Site Expert (0-0)

Most season openers are typically against creampuffs and this is a ho-hum article where everyone says Syracuse will win by a billion.

While that may certainly be the case on Saturday, the Orange can’t overlook Liberty.

These two teams have never squared off before and there’s a shroud of mystery around this Liberty program.

With new head coach Hugh Freeze, comes a winning pedigree and a winning mentality.

While we know very little about Liberty, the Flames know a lot about the Syracuse football program. That could be dangerous especially Week 1 with so many unknown variables.

This Liberty vs Syracuse matchup is the ‘Super Bowl’ of the Flames schedule. They’ve never hosted a top-25 opponent before or a power-five opponent for that matter.

The Flames are going to pull out all the stops of a usual Week 1 opponent, but even more so with a first-year head coach and an experienced offense.

There are several guys to keep an eye out for:

  • Stephen ‘Buckshot’ Calvert, QB
    • The leading signal-caller for the Flames brings a ton of experience and playmaking ability to the squad.
  • Antonio Gandy-Golden, WR
    • A legitimate NFL prospect who caught 71 passes had 1,037 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. A real test for the Orange secondary on Saturday.
  • Frankie Hickson, RB
    • Speaking of 1,000 yards, Hickson got over that barometer in 2018. Something a Syracuse running back has been unable to accomplish since 2012.
  • Jessie Lemonier, DE
    • Syracuse has its’ own double-digit sack artists, but the offensive line for the Orange will be tested by a JUCO 10 sack leader from 2018.

A lot of talent and Liberty will have the momentum on their side early from the sold-out crowd at Williams Stadium in Lynchburg, Virginia. Ultimately Syracuse wins this one 58-20 and puts it on late.

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