Liberty Bowl Game Preview: West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Army Black Knights
Written by Charlie Beuttel
Twitter: @charlie_cds3
The Liberty Bowl is one of the oldest postseason games in college football with the start in 1959 being played in Memphis every year since 1965. Numerous NFL stars have appeared in this bowl game during their college tenures including quarterback Doug Flutie, running back Bo Jackson, and recently Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. This year’s matchup will pit West Virginia against Army as Tennessee had to drop out after COVID-19 struck their program leaving Army without an opponent in the Independence Bowl. Army will be making their first appearance in the Liberty Bowl while West Virginia has lost in both of their previous appearances (1964 and 2014).
West Virginia finished 5-4 overall, sixth in the Big 12, with their most notable win coming against then-No. 16 Kansas State, 37-10, on Oct. 31. Army is coming into this game 9-2 with recent victories over Navy and Air Force. The Black Knight’s other notable wins came against Texas-San Antonio and Georgia Southern. Their only defeats came at the hands of Cincinnati and Tulane.
West Virginia Mountaineers vs Army Black Knights
Date: Thursday, December 31
Time: 4 pm ET
Location: Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, Tennessee
TV: ESPN
Spread: West Virginia -7
Autozone Liberty Bowl Game Breakdown
West Virginia Mountaineers
Offense
The Mountaineers score 26.78 points a game by gaining 277.22 passing yards and 145.4 rushing yards each time out. Junior quarterback Jarret Doege is in charge of this unit throwing for 2,428 yards and 13 touchdowns.
West Virginia RB Leddie Brown
The leading rusher on the team is junior running back Leddie Brown, who has 945 yards and nine touchdowns on 179 carries while also adding 202 more yards and two more scores through the air. West Virginia’s leading receiver is sophomore Winston Wright Jr. who has caught 45 passes for 528 yards and two touchdowns.
Defense
West Virginia gives up 20.44 points a game by allowing 126.2 rushing yards and 171 passing yards per matchup. Senior linebacker Tony Fields II is the playmaker on defense as he has racked up 88 total tackles including four for a loss, one sack, and one interception. Senior cornerback Alonzo Addae and sophomore safety Tykee Smith patrol the secondary and always come up with big plays for this defense. Addae has 61 total tackles, two interceptions, and one forced fumble while Smith also has two interceptions to go along with his 61 total tackles including eight for a loss and five pass breakups. Junior defensive lineman Dante Stills is a force in the trenches as he has 27 total tackles including 8.5 for a loss, two sacks, and one fumble recovery.
Army Black Knights
Offense
The Black Knights use their rushing attack to average 281.3 rushing yards and score 27.3 points per contest. Army also only averages seven pass attempts and 44 passing yards per game. Junior quarterback Christian Anderson leads the team in passing with 158 yards and a touchdown while adding 401 more yards and four more scores on the ground. Sophomore quarterback Tyhier Tyler leads the team in rushing with 502 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 115 carries. Another weapon is sophomore Jakobi Buchanan who has 111 rushing attempts for 474 yards and a team-high six touchdowns.
Defense
Army only allows 14 points a game off an average of 121.2 rushing yards and 150 passing yards per. The playmaker on the Black Knights defense is senior linebacker Jon Rhattigan who has 78 total tackles including nine for a loss, 1.5 sacks, two interceptions, two pass breakups, and two fumble recoveries. Junior linebacker Arik Smith has chipped in with 71 total tackles including nine for a loss, 3.5 sacks, and one interception. Sophomore defensive back Jabari Moore leads the team with three interceptions to go along with his 31 total tackles, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
Analysis
West Virginia has a more powerful offense, however, if Army can control the clock with their rushing attack this could become a defensive battle finishing with a low score. If the Mountaineers can stop the Black Knights offense, they should easily outscore Army. Whoever controls the clock will win this game.
Final Score Prediction: West Virginia 28, Army 17
Photo credit: West Virginia University Athletics; West Virginia RB Leddie Brown
Photo credit: Army West Point Athletics; Army LB Jon Rhattigan