LendingTree Bowl Prediction
Liberty is laying 9.5 points to Eastern Michigan in the LendingTree Bowl at 5:45 p.m. ET on Saturday. Is that number too big or will the Flames largely roll against the Eagles today in Mobile, AL?
Game Snapshot
213 Eastern Michigan (+9.5) vs. 214 Liberty Flames (-9.5); o/u 57.5
5:45 p.m. ET, Saturday, December 18, 2021
Hancock Whitney Stadium, Mobile, AL
TV: ESPN
Eastern Michigan Eagles Game Notes
Eastern Michigan senior QB Ben Bryant completed 24-of-35 passes for 221 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions in Eastern Michigan’s 31-10 loss to Central Michigan. Bryant (6’3″/218) couldn’t do much in a game that was close until the fourth quarter. Central Michigan was only up 10-3 at halftime, and the Eagles managed to pull back a score in to make it 17-10 before Central Michigan pulled away in the fourth. Bryant was kept pretty short, unable to complete passes deep, and he took seven sacks that didn’t help. He didn’t turn the ball over though. Bryant has been solid for EMU since transferring from Cincinnati, but hasn’t been able to make big plays for the Eagles or be much more than a game manager. He didn’t get much help from a smothered run game to be fair. EMU won seven games though, which means they’ll be bowling.
Liberty Flames Game Notes
Liberty redshirt senior QB Malik Willis has been invited to play in the Reese’s Senior Bowl. Willis (6’1/215) is one of the top quarterback prospects going into the 2022 draft. His strong arm and ability to run at will have people comparing him to Jalen Hurts. The quarterback class is said to be not as deep as in recent years, but some believe he can be dynamic in the right system. He finished the season passing for 2,626 yards with 12 touchdowns and rushing 820 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Eastern Michigan vs. Liberty Betting Prediction
The Flames are 0-4 against the spread in their last four non-conference games, are 1-5 against the number in their last six games overall and are 1-4 at the betting window in their last five games when listed as a favorite. On the other side, the Eagles are 20-7 against the spread in their last 27 games coming off an ATS loss, are 15-6 against the number in their last 21 non-conference games and have covered in 28 of their last 41 games as an underdog.
LENDINGTREE BOWL PREDICTION: EASTERN MICHIGAN EAGLES +9.5
