LendingTree Bowl Preview
The LendingTree Bowl is bowl number four on the Saturday slate of games. This matchup is between Eastern Michigan (7-5) and Liberty (7-5). We got the MAC going up against an FBS Independent school. This is a big game for Malik Willis, I wish he got to play in a bigger bowl game before he heads off to the NFL Draft, but this will have to do unfortunately. With that being said here is my preview for the LendingTree Bowl.
Eastern Michigan
Eastern Michigan has won three out of their last five games. Former Cincinnati quarterback Ben Bryant has been fantastic for the Eagles this season. Throwing for over 2,900 passing yards to go with 14 passing touchdowns to 6 interceptions. This Eastern Michigan team has things going for them. For starters they are ranked number one in the nation when it comes to fewest penalties. They don’t beat themselves which means that they are really in control of their own destiny for the most part. However, with the lack of running game that this offense has it is going to be tough to hang with the likes of Malik Willis.
Now I understand the struggle that Liberty has had for the second half of the season, but this Eastern Michigan team doesn’t force a lot of turnovers. In games this season that Eastern Michigan has forced two or more they are 5-0. In the seven games that they haven’t, they have put together a 2-5 record which is not appealing to say the least. If Eastern Michigan can keep Willis off the field and they continue to not hurt themselves, they should be in a good spot in this matchup.
Liberty
The Liberty Flames have had one of the most disappointing seasons in all of college football this season. Malik Willis was in the Heisman contention before the season even started, but this team has faltered in the second half of the season. Liberty is currently riding a three game losing streak coming into this bowl game. This has to be the game where he shines, because his draft stock has taken a big hit since the start of the season. He has a solid skill set and can put it to use in a game like this. Eastern Michigan struggles against the run, and if Liberty gets that going the offense will open up to the heights that people thought it would be at all season long.
Defensively, this team is very good against the pass as they only give up on average 174 passing yards per game. If they can keep containing the pass and make Eastern Michigan beat them on the ground, it will be a very long night for the Eagles. Look for the Flames to try and bounce back in a huge way here in this LendingTree bowl matchup.
Prediction:
Liberty is here as a 9.5 point favorite and the over/under is set at 58. This game is going to go one of two ways. The first way is Malik Willis is going to have the game of the season and Liberty will rout Eastern Michigan. Second way is that Liberty struggles and continues to shoot themselves in the foot and Eastern Michigan capitalizes and keeps it close. Lean under 58 here as the under is 5-1 in Liberty’s last six against opponents with a winning record. My play in this one is Eastern Michigan +9.5. I think Liberty does win this game, but I think Eastern Michigan being the team that they are with taking the fewest penalties will have a major factor. Liberty wins by one score, not two.
-Chris Jones (@cjoneswho1212)
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