The schedule matters here too. Liberty won 30-14 at Delaware on Friday, October 2, so it turns around for a Thursday home game 6 days later. Sam Houston hasn't played since the Texas Tech loss on September 26. That gives the Bearkats nearly 2 weeks to rest and to fix whatever went wrong with the ball security. It's one of the few real advantages they bring into this game.
Gardner-Webb24-23
Liberty's streak has some soft spots. The Flames beat Gardner-Webb, an FCS team, by just 24-23 at home, and they managed only 13 points in the opening loss at James Madison. Since then they've beaten Ball State 51-15, won 34-17 at Coastal Carolina and 30-14 at Delaware, with 2 of those wins on the road. The offense that struggled to score in early September has found its footing.
The one name on the injury report is Liberty running back J. Marshall, listed questionable with a leg injury since late September. The status note was written before the Delaware game and hasn't been updated, so check it again before kickoff. If he can't go, Liberty's backfield depth gets its first real test against a Sam Houston defense that has had extra time to prepare.
Conditions should be ideal: 69 degrees, clear skies, a 4 mph wind and no rain in the forecast. Weather won't decide this one. It comes down to whether Sam Houston's quarterback can play 4 quarters without giving the ball away, and whether Liberty still looks sharp on a short week.