Buffalo at Liberty - 2024 Matchup Preview
Buffalo logo Buffalo Bulls vs Liberty FlamesLiberty logo
Saturday, January 4th 2025 (11:00 AM EST)
Buffalo -4.5 (50.5) (-192)  Open: -2.5 | 51.5
Buffalo 26 - Liberty: 7  (Bahamas Bowl Presented by Atlantis Resorts)

 
Bulls (9 - 4) (8 - 5 - 0)
Coach Pete Lembo (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 29 - 26 (20 - 34 on Road)
Record Prediction: 9 - 4 (#28)
Wins: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Losses: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Flames (8 - 4) (3 - 9 - 0)
Coach Jamey Chadwell (13 - 1)
Avg Score : 29 - 24 (32 - 22 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 8 - 4 (#42)
Wins: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Losses: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
 
Buffalo's 2024 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 8/29 Buffalo vs Lafayette-3.545.5W 30 - 13UY
Sat 9/7 Buffalo at Missouri+34.553.5L 0 - 38UN
Sat 9/14 Buffalo vs Massachusetts-3.545.5W 34 - 3UY
Sat 9/21 Buffalo at Northern Illinois+13.042.5W 23 - 20OY
Sat 9/28 Buffalo at UConn+6.044.5L 3 - 47ON
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/12 Buffalo vs Toledo+10.544.5W 30 - 15OY
Sat 10/19 Buffalo vs Western Michigan+1.049.5L 41 - 48ON
Sat 10/26 Buffalo at Ohio+4.046.5L 16 - 47ON
Sat 11/2 Buffalo at Akron+1.049.0W 41 - 30OY
BYE WEEK
Tue 11/12 Buffalo vs Ball State-3.555.5W 51 - 48ON
Wed 11/20 Buffalo at Eastern Michigan+1.053.5W 37 - 20OY
Tue 11/26 Buffalo vs Kent State-23.550.5W 43 - 7UY
Sat 1/4 Buffalo vs Liberty-4.550.5W 26 - 7UY

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Buffalo's Schedule
Liberty's 2024 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/31 Liberty vs Campbell-41.558.5W 41 - 24ON
Sat 9/7 Liberty at New Mexico State-22.554.5W 30 - 24UN
Sat 9/14 Liberty vs UTEP-23.557.5W 28 - 10UN
Sat 9/21 Liberty vs East Carolina-7.555.0W 35 - 24OY
BYE WEEK
Tue 10/8 Liberty vs Florida International-15.556.0W 31 - 24UN
BYE WEEK
Wed 10/23 Liberty at Kennesaw State-27.048.0L 24 - 27ON
Wed 10/30 Liberty vs Jacksonville State-2.564.0L 21 - 31UN
Sat 11/9 Liberty at Middle Tennessee-12.554.5W 37 - 17UY
Sat 11/16 Liberty at Massachusetts-17.053.0W 35 - 34ON
Sat 11/23 Liberty vs Western Kentucky-1.056.5W 38 - 21OY
Fri 11/29 Liberty at Sam Houston-2.547.5L 18 - 20UN
Sat 1/4 Liberty vs Buffalo+4.550.5L 7 - 26UN

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Liberty's Schedule
Important Stats (2024)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
BUFF#77 (.17)40% (104)28.838% (115)2.7 (117)15342% (70)1764.22 (41)#72 (.17)43% (82)26.443% (71)43% (97)3.84 (74)39.311.5
LIB#24 (.26)50% (7)28.854% (2)3.56 (7)23843% (60)1614.21 (43)#24 (.1)39% (39)23.539% (30)40% (66)3.68 (58)64.41.31.3
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
BUFF#77 (.17)40% (104)38% (115)2.7 (117)15342% (70)1764.22 (41)#72 (.17)43% (82)43% (71)43% (97)3.84 (74)39.311.5
LIB#24 (.26)50% (7)54% (2)3.56 (7)23843% (60)1614.21 (43)#24 (.1)39% (39)39% (30)40% (66)3.68 (58)64.41.31.3



Overall Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
BUFF Offense1328.82039.6%4.221173291531764.255%45%38%42%17%.17
LIB Defense1223.522.339.4%3.681.3 - - - - - 55%45%39%40%16%.1
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
BUFF Defense1326.433.742.8%3.841.5 - - - - - 46%53%43%43%18%.17
LIB Offense1228.832.349.9%4.211.3224002381615.763%36%54%43%14%.26

Additional Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Buffalo1326:2017.234%52%439.311.56.32.2231.2
Liberty1228:4222.145%50%6.764.41.31.351.6028.5
Run Game Stats (2024)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
BUFF Offense1355% (36)38% (115)36.2153.34.223 (52).08 (96)2.7 (117)61% (122)10% (84)1.11 (17)
LIB Defense1255% (115)39% (30) - - - - .02 (20)2.68 (21)73% (62)10% (59)0.99 (68)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
BUFF Defense1346% (21)43% (71) - - - - .08 (47)3.01 (68)63% (16)12% (35)0.94 (45)
LIB Offense1263% (5)54% (2)41.8238.35.728 (25).25 (16)3.56 (7)76% (47)9% (43)0.91 (94)

Pass Game Stats (2024)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
BUFF Offense1345% (99)42% (70)14.225.2175.8712.419 (65)6 (10).29 (47)1.5 (80)33% (97)31% (75).34 (66)6% (89)1.9 (106)
LIB Defense1245% (19)40% (66) - - - - - - 8 (93).21 (51)1.6 (77)32% (73)31% (81).18 (17)6% (82)1.8 (9)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
BUFF Defense1353% (109)43% (97) - - - - - - 12 (39).28 (91)1.7 (97)32% (58)29% (40).18 (18)7% (38)2.2 (100)
LIB Offense1236% (130)43% (60)12.622.3161.27.212.815 (98)6 (10).27 (56)1.5 (104)24% (2)36% (23).43 (26)5% (36)1.9 (107)

Buffalo's Power Ratings
Buffalo's Power Rating: -12.53  #106
Buffalo's Offense Rating: 15.34  #104
Buffalo's Defense Rating: 12.34  #93
2024 Talent Rating: 482.00  #1
Blue Chip Ratio: 0%  #102
Buffalo's 2024 Expected Record: 9.0 - 4.0
Buffalo's 2024 Overall SP+ Rating: -4.0  #87
Buffalo's Offense SP+ Rating: 25.4  #84
Buffalo's Defense SP+ Rating: 30.2  #93

Average Talent
Average Mid-American Talent Rating is 482
Average Power Five Talent: 482
Average FBS Talent: 482

Power Ratings Matchup
Buffalo: -12.53   Liberty: 0.39

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Buffalo: -4.0   Liberty: 0.2




Liberty's Power Ratings
Liberty's Power Rating: 0.39  #60
Liberty's Offense Rating: 25.37  #17
Liberty's Defense Rating: 6.21  #38
2024 Talent Rating: 482.00  #1
Blue Chip Ratio: 2  #82
Liberty's 2024 Expected Record: 8.0 - 4.0
Liberty's 2024 Overall SP+ Rating: 0.2  #71
Liberty's Offense SP+ Rating: 28.2  #60
Liberty's Defense SP+ Rating: 26.6  #70

Average Talent
Average Conference USA Talent Rating is 482
Average Power Five Talent: 482
Average FBS Talent: 482


Buffalo Scoring
Offense: 28.8 PPG
Offense on Road: 20
Defense: 26.4 PPG
Defense on Road: 33.7

Buffalo's 2024 Record
Record: 9 - 4
Record vs Spread: 8 - 5 - 0
Over/Under Record: 8 - 5
Record on Road: 4 - 3
Record vs Spread on Road: 3 - 3 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 3 - 1 - 0
Record as Road Fav vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Liberty 30
Buffalo 22


Total Points: 52

Based on Last 4 Games
Liberty 35
Buffalo 18

Total Points: 53

Based on Entire Season
Liberty 31
Buffalo 24

Total Points: 55
Liberty Scoring
Offense: 28.8 PPG
Offense at Home: 32.3
Defense: 23.5 PPG
Defense at Home: 22.3

Liberty's 2024 Record
Record: 8 - 4
Record vs Spread: 3 - 9 - 0
Over/Under Record: 5 - 7
Record at home: 5 - 1
Record vs Spread at home: 2 - 4 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 0 - 1 - 0
Record as Home Dog vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202401/04Liberty7Buffalo26Buffalo -4.5Buffalo50.5Under
202309/16Buffalo27Liberty55Liberty -2.5Liberty54.0Over
201909/14Liberty35Buffalo17Buffalo -6Liberty55.0Under
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Liberty221 Overs
Buffalo112 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams1 - 21 - 20 - 01 - 2
Road Teams2 - 12 - 12 - 10 - 0

Buffalo Recent Bowl History
DateBowlMatchupSpreadTotalResult
2024Bahamas Bowl Buffalo vs Liberty-4.550.5W 26 - 7
2022Camellia Bowl Buffalo vs Georgia Southern+6.067.0W 23 - 21
2020Camellia Bowl Buffalo vs Marshall-5.553.5W 17 - 10
2019Bahamas Bowl Buffalo vs Charlotte-7.052.0W 31 - 9
2018General Bowl Buffalo vs Troy-2.050.5L 32 - 42
Liberty Recent Bowl History
DateBowlMatchupSpreadTotalResult
2024Bahamas Bowl Liberty vs Buffalo+4.550.5L 7 - 26
2023Fiesta Bowl Liberty vs Oregon+18.571.5L 6 - 45
2022Raton Bowl Liberty vs Toledo+4.051.5L 19 - 21
2021Lendingtree Bowl Liberty vs Eastern Michigan-9.558.5W 56 - 20
2020Cure Bowl Liberty vs Coastal Carolina+6.560.0W 37 - 34
2019Cure Bowl Liberty vs Georgia Southern+5.059.0W 23 - 16
  
(#106) BUFF at (#60) LIB
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatBUFFLIB
Power RatePwr #106 #60
SP+SP+ #87 #71
Perf GradeGrade #79 #36
OffenseOff #96 #21
DefenseDef #42 #73
Spec TeamsST #110 #98
TalentTal #1 #1
Blue ChipsBC% #102 #82
Buffalo Notes
(11/27) Hot finish, note it was vs bottom of MAC
(11/27) Killed Kent, Rgame great, Ogbonna good
(11/25) 3 str W's, beat EMU. Alive, barely, for MAC title
(11/13) Def torched, Off & QB Semonza great in Buf L
(10/20) Def torched by WMU. Off great but bad start
(10/18) DL is really undersized but linebackers very good
(10/13) Rgame 230+ yds, Run Def great in upset W (Tol)
(10/11) This may be worst Off in CFB. #133 Success
(10/4) OG'd 537-198 (UConn), Rgame awful/QBs worse
(9/23) Beat N Ill despite outgained 2-1. Off awful
(9/13) QB Ogbonna has not shown he can throw at all
(9/12) Staff upgrade for Buffalo under Lembo & staff
Buffalo Injury Report
Liberty Notes
(11/25) Rgame 400+ yds (WKU), W vs SHSU=CUSA title gm
(11/18) All. 263 (5.6 ypc) to UMass. Rgame good, Salter not
(10/30) All. 363 yds rush, 7.4 ypc vs Jax St in 2nd L
(10/23) Awful L to Ken St, Off awful outside of Salter
(10/8) Escape FIU, Rgame good, Salter avg, Pass D bad
(10/4) GOY vs App canceled. Play 1 game in entire month
(9/23) Great comeback W (ECU), Rgame good, 13-17 3rd
(9/20) WR is an issue, drops, inconsistent. Off step back
(9/8) Dogfight/Comeback W @ NMSU? 1-11 on 3rd down
(8/3) Roster/Talent vs who they play is a joke.  
(7/30) 2nd Easiest sched, fav'd in all, need 13-0 for CFP
(7/30) QB Salter is v good & mobile. Best backfield in G5?
Liberty Injury Report
Buffalo on Offense
Run heavy Offense 55%, Pass: 45%
CategoryCat
BUFF OffLIB Def
Perf GradePerf #96 #73
SuccessSuc #104 #39
ExplosiveExp #41 #67
PPAPPA #77 #24
PowerPwr #104 #38
SP+SP+ #84 #70
Pts POPPO #41 #58
HavocHav #91 #71
Buffalo Run Game
Run heavy Offense 55%, Pass: 45%
CategoryCat
BUFF OffLIB Def
Run GameRun #116 #73
Run SuccessRSuc #115 #30
Run ExplRExp #17 #68
PPAExp #96 #20
Run BlockR Blk #66 -
OL YdsOLY #117 #21
Stuff RateStuff #96 #28
TackleTak -  #71
Buffalo Pass Game
Run heavy Offense 55%, Pass: 45%
CategoryCat
BUFF OffLIB Def
Pass GamePass #108 #62
Pass SuccessPSuc #70 #66
Pass ExplPExl #80 #77
PPAExp #47 #51
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk #101 #67
F7 HavocF7 #84 #59
DB HavocDB #89 #82
Liberty on Offense
Very Run heavy Offense 63%, Pass: 36%
CategoryCatLIB OffBUFF Def
Perf GradePerf #21 #42
SuccessSuc #7 #82
ExplosiveExp #131 #97
PPAPPA #24 #72
PowerPwr #17 #93
SP+SP+ #60 #93
Pts POPPO #43 #74
HavocHav #33 #33
Liberty Run Game
Very Run heavy Offense 63%, Pass: 36%
CategoryCat
LIB OffBUFF Def
Run GameRun #39 #55
Run SuccessRSuc #2 #71
Run ExplRExp #94 #45
PPAExp #16 #47
Run BlockR Blk #4 -
OL YdsOLY #7 #68
Stuff RateStuff #9 #64
TackleTak -  #18
Liberty Pass Game
Very Run heavy Offense 63%, Pass: 36%
CategoryCatLIB OffBUFF Def
Pass GamePass #38 #29
Pass SuccessPSuc #60 #97
Pass ExplPExl #104 #97
PPAExp #56 #91
Pass Block/RushP Blk #102 #90
F7 HavocF7 #43 #35
DB HavocDB #36 #38
Program Comparison
LIB 5 Year Profile: Declining Below Avg P4
'25 Profile: Down to Top G5

BUFF 5 Year Profile: Consistent Average G5
'25 Profile: Remains Average G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Thomas Robinson Stadium
Conditions: Fair
Temp: 72° - Wind: 12 mph
Rematch from Week 1
Buffalo 4.5 (50.5)
Buffalo won at Liberty this year (26-7)

Previous Matchups
Buffalo beat Liberty last year (26-7)
Liberty beat Buffalo in 2023 (55-27)

  
BUFF's OC Dave Patenaude (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
CJ Ogbonna19033657%23811957.1
Gunnar Gray41136%41013.7
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Al-Jay Henderson204107895.368
CJ Ogbonna12234682.826
Jacqez Barksdale8230623.719
Messiah Burch2915325.331
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Victor Snow55651611.846
JJ Jenkins (Tr)36536414.990
Al-Jay Henderson19238112.575
Taji Johnson (Tr)19215211.334

View Buffalo's Full Roster

BUFF's DC Joe Bowen (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Shaun Dolac (Tr)16818545
Khalil Murdock15617241
Solomon Brown662006
Dion Crawford5815942
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Kobe Stewart (Tr)40121032
Dion Crawford5815942
Shaun Dolac (Tr)16818545
Antonio Colclough (Tr)144341
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Marquis Cooper553018
Solomon Brown662006
Shaun Dolac (Tr)16818545

LIB's OC Newland Isaac (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Kaidon Salter14726156%18861567.2
Ryan Burger (Tr)81942%88004.6
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Quinton Cooley2051254136.144
Billy Lucas12372055.955
Kaidon Salter11458775.141
Vaughn Blue3520715.945
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Treon Sibley28510218.270
Elijah Canion (Tr)25354314.250
Reese Smith18277415.444
Tyson Mobley (Tr)2927619.525

View Liberty's Full Roster

LIB's DC Jack Curtis (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Joseph Carter885203
T.J. Bush5810614
Jerome Jolly Jr.555111
CJ Bazile Jr.545220
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
T.J. Bush5810614
CJ Bazile Jr.545220
Quinton Reese405210
Joseph Carter885203
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
T.J. Bush5810614
Joseph Carter885203
A'Khori Jones535003