Eastern Michigan Eagles vs Liberty Flames 2021 Lending Tree Bowl Pick
In our fourth bowl preview for December 18, we have our Eastern Michigan vs Liberty prediction for the 2021 Lending Tree Bowl. The Eastern Michigan Eagles (7-5) finished in a three-way tied for fourth, which was also last, in the MAC West with a 4-4 record. The Eagles have gone 3-2 in their last five games. This season, the Liberty Flames (7-5) finished with the fourth-best record amongst the seven Independents. The Flames come to this game having lost their last three games and going 4-2 for their final six contests.
Liberty is favored. You can get the Flames at -9.5 (-110). The best spread for the Eagles is +10.0 (-111). The best over is 57.5 (-108), while the under can be found at 58.5 (-112).
The Lending Tree Bowl will be played at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, AL. The game, which will be broadcast on ESPN, will kick off at 5:45 pm ET on Saturday, December 18, 2021. Temperatures at game time will be in the high 60s with a 49% chance of rain. Winds will be from the S at 6 mph.
Eagles vs Flames Pick - Stats
The Eagles and Flames are averaging 31.0 and 31.8 points per game respectively. Liberty tops EMU when it comes to total yards (428.1-381.6) and in rushing yards (176.4-118.0). Our Eastern Michigan vs Liberty prediction notes that the two teams are close on passing yards with Eastern Michigan topping Liberty 263.6 to 251.7 YPG.
The Flames are allowing opponents 21.7 PPG while EMU is giving up 27.8. Additionally, the Eagle D is permitting 430.4 YPG with 197.3 on the ground and 233.2 in the air. The Flames are allowing opponents 115 fewer yards per game (315.3) than the Eagles. They are holding opponent to 174.2 YPG in the air and 141.2 YPG on the ground. The Flames have recorded 33 sacks while the Eagles have made just 22.
Eastern Michigan vs Liberty Prediction - Key Players
Eastern Michigan quarterback Ben Bryant is susceptible to the sack having been brought down 38 times. He’s tossed 14 TDs and six picks. Bryant is a 68.8 percent passer. Wideouts Hassan Beydoun (86 REC, 932 YDs, 4 TDs) and Dylan Drummond (58 REC, 653 YDs, 6 TDs) are his primary targets. In limited carries, Samson Evans has scored a dozen times, while Jawon Hamilton and Darius Boone Jr. have combined for 10 scores and over 1,000 yards rushing.
The Liberty Flames have a powerhouse in QB Malik Willis. Despite the fact that he’s been sacked 50 times, Willis has tossed 24 TD passes and rushed for 11 more scores. The receiving unit of Demario Douglas, CJ Daniels, and Kevin Shaa have grabbed a total of 17 TD balls while three different running backs have combined for 10 TDs. LB Storey Jackson anchors the D. He leads the unit with 6.5 sacks and 93 tackles. CB Duron Lowe has recorded five PD and two INTs, while DE Aakil Washington brings 4.5 sacks into today’s game.
Eastern Michigan vs Liberty Prediction
Although 77 percent of the betting public is betting on the Eagles, we expect the Flames will take this game by about 10 points. The Flame D should be able to handle EMU’s offense. However, they probably won’t shut it down. Still, the Liberty offense brings a lot of weapons to this game. Of course, Liberty is in the midst of a losing streak. But with this matchup, our Eastern Michigan vs Liberty prediction finds there’s potential for the Flames to break that streak. Thus, we’re taking the Liberty Flames at -9.5 (-110). The Flames will score about 37 points and the Eagles 23. That’s good enough for the over at 57.5 (-108).
Remember, Sports Betting Smarts is picking all 41 college football bowls of 2021-22. Also, for today, please take a look at our UAB vs BYU pick Independence Bowl preview, Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs Appalachian State Mountaineers 2021 Boca Raton Bowl pick and our UTEP vs Fresno State New Mexico Bowl prediction.
2021 Independence Bowl - Eastern Michigan vs Liberty Summary
Spread - Liberty Flames at -9.5 (-110)
Over/Under - Over 57.5 (-108)
