The Florida International Panthers take on the Liberty Flames in a key battle between Conference USA foes on Tuesday night. In its last game, FIU defeated Louisiana Tech 17-10 on Sept. 28, while Liberty rallied past East Carolina 35-24 on Sept. 21. The Panthers (2-3, 1-0 CUSA), who were 4-8 overall and 1-7 in Conference USA play in 2023, are looking for their first winning season since going 9-4 in 2018. The Flames (4-0, 2-0 CUSA), who were 13-1 overall and 8-0 in CUSA a year ago, are looking to start 5-0 for the second consecutive year.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET from Williams Stadium in Lynchburg, Va., on CBS Sports Network. Liberty is averaging 456.8 yards per game, while FIU averages 327.6. The Flames are favored by 16.5 points in the latest FIU vs. Liberty odds via SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 55.5. Before making any Liberty vs. FIU picks, check out the college football predictions from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. It has generated a profit of over $2,000 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks since inception, and is 8-4 on top-rated college football picks over the past two weeks of this season. Anyone who has followed it has seen strong returns.
The model has set its sights on FIU vs. Liberty. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Here are several college football betting lines for the spread, money line and over/under for the Liberty vs. FIU game:
- FIU vs. Liberty spread: Liberty -16.5
- FIU vs. Liberty over/under: 55.5 points
- FIU vs. Liberty money line: Liberty -885, FIU +583
- FIU: The Panthers have hit the first-half over in 8 of their last 9 games (+7.10 units)
- LIB: The Flames have hit the money line in 10 of their last 11 games (+9.00 units)
- FIU vs. Liberty picks: See picks at SportsLine
- FIU vs. Liberty streaming: FuboTV (Try for free)
Why you should back Liberty
The Flames are led by redshirt junior quarterback Kaidon Salter. He is coming off a four-TD passing effort in a 35-24 win over East Carolina on Sept. 21. In that game, he completed 19 of 32 passes (59.4%) for 223 yards. For the season, Salter has completed 66 of 103 passes (64.1%) for 949 yards and seven touchdowns with just one interception for a rating of 162.0. He is also Liberty's third-leading rusher, carrying 40 times for 131 yards (3.3 average), including a long of 22 yards.
The Flames have a one-two punch at running back with seniors Quinton Cooley and Billy Lucas. Cooley leads Liberty in rushing, carrying 53 times for 371 yards (7.0 average) and four touchdowns. Lucas, meanwhile, has gained 264 yards on 57 carries (4.6 average) and four TDs. Cooley has had three 100-yard performances, including a 12-carry, 111-yard and two touchdown effort at New Mexico State on Sept. 7. Lucas rushed for 104 yards on 21 attempts with three touchdowns in a 28-10 win over UTEP on Sept. 14. See which team to pick here.
Why you should back FIU
Sophomore quarterback Keyone Jenkins powers the Panthers' offense. He has completed 91 of 145 passes (62.8%) for 1,104 yards and nine touchdowns on the year. Junior wide receiver Dean Patterson leads the Panthers in receptions with 21 for 259 yards (12.3 average) and two touchdowns. His longest explosive plays is 26 yards in a 38-20 loss at Florida Atlantic on Sept. 14. In the win over Louisiana Tech, he caught five passes for 74 yards (14.8 average). He had five catches for 68 yards and a touchdown in the 45-42 loss to Monmouth on Sept. 21.
Defensively, junior linebacker Travion Barnes is FIU's top tackler. In five games this season, he has registered 54 tackles, including 32 solo, with one sack for four yards. He has one interception he returned 85 yards for a touchdown in the loss against Monmouth. Barnes has had three games in which he has registered double-digit tackle numbers, including a 15-tackle effort, with eight solo, in the loss at Florida Atlantic. See which team to pick here.
How to make FIU vs. Liberty picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the total, projecting 62 combined points. It also says one side of the spread hits in over 60% of simulations. You can only get the pick at SportsLine.
So who wins FIU vs. Liberty, and which side of the spread hits in over 60% of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread to jump on, all from the advanced model that is up over $2,000 on its FBS college football picks since its inception, and find out.
