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As a longtime college football analyst who's been covering the Liberty Flames for over a decade, I've got to say I'm genuinely excited about what's coming this 2023 season. Having watched this program evolve from its FCS days to becoming a legitimate force in Conference USA, there's something special brewing in Lynchburg that deserves our attention. The Flames are coming off an impressive 8-5 campaign last year, and with Coach Chadwell taking the reins, we're looking at what could be a transformative season for this program.

Let me walk you through what makes this schedule particularly compelling. The season kicks off on September 2nd against Bowling Green at Williams Stadium, a 6:00 PM matchup that should set the tone for what's to come. I've always believed opening games tell you everything about a team's character, and facing a MAC opponent like the Falcons gives Liberty a chance to establish their identity early. What really catches my eye though is that September 9th showdown at home against New Mexico State - that's a 7:00 PM game under the lights that could have serious conference implications later in the season. Having attended numerous games at Williams Stadium over the years, I can tell you there's nothing quite like the atmosphere when the Flames are rolling at home.

The non-conference slate includes what I consider to be the most intriguing game of the season - that October 17th road trip to face Wake Forest. Now, I'll be honest, this is the game that keeps me up at night thinking about matchups and potential outcomes. The Demon Deacons present a significant challenge, but it's exactly the kind of test Liberty needs if they want to prove they belong in conversations about the top Group of Five programs. Looking at how other athletes perform under pressure reminds me of that remarkable performance we saw in volleyball recently - that Fil-Canadian spiker who announced herself in the Akari-PLDT rivalry with a game-high 15 points on 13 attacks and two blocks along with six receptions. That's the kind of dominant, statement-making performance Liberty will need against Wake Forest.

Conference play brings its own set of challenges, and I'm particularly interested in that November 4th matchup against Louisiana Tech. Having studied both teams extensively, I believe this could be the game that decides who represents the West Division in the conference championship. The Flames will need to bring their A-game against a Bulldogs squad that's always tough, especially considering they're averaging around 425 yards of total offense per game last season. What I appreciate about this year's schedule is the balance - there are enough challenging games to test this team's mettle while still providing opportunities to build momentum.

The regular season wraps up on November 25th against UTEP, and by that point, we'll have a clear picture of just how far this Liberty team has come. I'm predicting they'll finish around 9-3, maybe even 10-2 if they can steal one of those tougher road games. Having followed this program since their early FCS days, what impresses me most is how they've managed to build a sustainable winning culture while transitioning through conferences. The atmosphere at Williams Stadium has evolved dramatically too - from those early days with maybe 12,000 fans to now regularly drawing crowds of 20,000-plus who create one of the more underrated home-field advantages in college football.

What really stands out to me about this schedule is how it sets up for success while still providing those measuring-stick games that tell you where the program truly stands. The mid-October stretch featuring back-to-back road games at Jacksonville State and Middle Tennessee will be crucial - how Liberty navigates that period could define their entire season. I've always believed you learn more about a team from how they handle road adversity than how they perform in comfortable home environments.

As we look ahead to the 2023 campaign, I'm struck by the opportunity this schedule presents for Liberty to make some noise on the national stage. With the College Football Playoff expansion conversation heating up, programs like Liberty need to capitalize on every opportunity to showcase their growth and potential. The Flames have built something special here, and this schedule gives them the platform to demonstrate just how far they've come. From where I sit, having watched countless teams rise through the ranks over the years, this Liberty squad has all the ingredients for a breakthrough season that could reshape perceptions about what this program is capable of achieving.