CBS Names Liberty As G5's Most Likely Playoff Candidate In 12-Team Playoff

Joe Londergan | Apr 3, 2024

Jan 1, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Liberty Flames quarterback Kaidon Salter (7) throws the ball under / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

After a berth in the Fiesta Bowl and earning the G5's bid in the New Year's Six this past season, high expectations are already being thrust upon the Liberty Flames for next season.

CBS sports writer Will Backus recently published a list of 16 teams in the best position to make the College Football Playoff in 2024, which expands to 12 teams this season with the top five seeds going to the five highest-ranked conference champions. Backus noted the Flames as the most likely candidate to be the highest ranked Group of Five champion, which would likely earn them the #5 overall seed.

"Liberty is the odds-on favorite for that fifth automatic bid given the expectation that it will run the table in Conference USA," Backus writes. "The out-of-conference schedule doesn't feature any power conference opponents, so an undefeated season isn't out of the question."

In 2023, Liberty went undefeated through the conference championship games, winning Conference USA in their first year in the league. They ended their season with a 45-6 loss to Oregon in the Fiesta Bowl. Liberty had FBS' best rushing offense last season with 293.3 yards per game.

Liberty's 2024 season begins on August 31 when they host FCS Campbell. Their non-conference opponents also include Appalachian State, East Carolina, and UMass.