Eric Boggs 
Liberty goes up against FIU in this season's first Tuesday night contest.
The first Tuesday night game of the 2024 college football season kicks off with a Conference USA clash between the undefeated Liberty Flames and a resilient Florida International (FIU) Panthers team. Liberty, led by head coach Jamey Chadwell, remains in the College Football Playoff mix, yet to lose a regular season game under Chadwell’s leadership. FIU, though significant underdogs, will look to cause an upset in Lynchburg.
Key Players to Watch
For FIU, quarterback Keyone Jenkins has been a bright spot, completing nearly 63% of his passes and throwing for nine touchdowns, though he has also had four interceptions—three of which came in a single game. He’ll face a stiff challenge against a Liberty defense ranked 12th in EPA/Play, though the Flames haven’t faced many high-powered offenses this season.
Liberty’s dual-threat quarterback, Kaidon Salter, has continued his efficient play, completing 64% of his passes for 949 yards, seven touchdowns, and just one interception. He also leads the conference in adjusted yards per attempt and yards per completion, making him a key player for FIU to neutralize.
Matchup Breakdown
Liberty enters this game as a heavy favorite. The Flames haven’t just been winning—they’ve been dominant, averaging 33.5 points per game and using a balanced offensive attack that doesn’t rely solely on Salter’s arm. Running backs Billy Lucas and Quinton Cooley have been instrumental in carrying the load, and they’ll likely play a big role in Tuesday night’s contest.
However, FIU’s defense could make this game more competitive than expected. They rank 21st in EPA/Play and lead C-USA in limiting opposing quarterbacks’ yards per attempt, allowing just 6.1 yards per throw. They’ve also snagged multiple interceptions, with six different players contributing to their takeaway tally. This opportunistic defense will need to frustrate Salter and force Liberty into mistakes.
Game Outlook
Liberty’s last meeting with FIU in 2023 resulted in a 38-6 blowout, but the Panthers have improved since then. They’ve been strong against the spread this season, going 3-1 as underdogs, and even covered as double-digit ‘dogs in their season opener against Indiana. While FIU’s offense has shown flashes, scoring 20 or fewer points in three of their four FBS games signals a tough night ahead against a Flames defense that has been stout.
Despite FIU’s potential to slow the game down—ranking 50th in seconds per play—and their strong defensive metrics, Liberty’s well-rounded attack might prove too much for the Panthers. Liberty has struggled against the spread this season, but with extra preparation time, Chadwell’s team should be able to grind out a win. The question remains whether they’ll cover the spread or if FIU will keep it closer than expected.
Prediction
While FIU’s defense could limit Liberty’s explosive plays, their offense may struggle to keep up. Expect Liberty to win, but with both teams playing a slower-paced game, it’s likely to go under the total points projection. The Flames should remain undefeated, but FIU could make this more competitive than last year’s blowout.
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