Undefeated Liberty Flames vs. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers: everything you need to know
The Liberty Flames (7-0) are one of nine remaining undefeated teams in all of FBS college football through eight weeks of the season. They are also the only undefeated team not ranked in the latest US LBM Coaches Poll.
For Week 9, the Flames, coming off of a 42-35 win over Middle Tennessee, prepare to continue their play against Conference USA opponents with a Tuesday night matchup against Western Kentucky (4-3). The Hilltoppers are fourth in the conference and will host Liberty in Bowling Green, Ky. following their Week 8 loss to Jacksonville State, 20-17, on a last-second field goal.
Western Kentucky football helmets
For their game against Liberty, Western Kentucky will be wearing black helmets with a special twist.
Each player will wear a decal sticker on the side of their helmets customized for their position, with each one depicting Hilltoppers mascot Big Red in a different action correlating to each player's position. There are seven customized position stickers in all, featuring Big Red: throwing the ball, catching the ball, running the ball, kicking the ball, in a two-point stance, in a three-point stance and waving his arms in a swiping motion akin to a referee's "incomplete pass" signal.
The helmet also features Big Red's eyes on the front above the top of the face mask.
Western Kentucky just CHANGED the game with different decals for each position group 🔥 pic.twitter.com/NL915vx4L7
— College Football Report (@CFBRep) October 20, 2023
Liberty, Western Kentucky alums in the NFL
There is at least one alumnus of each school on an NFL active roster in 2023.
Liberty
Western Kentucky
George Fant, OT, Seattle Seahawks*
Mike White, QB, Miami Dolphins
Bailey Zappe, QB, New England Patriots
Tyler Higbee, TE, Los Angeles Ram
*George Fant only played for Western Kentucky's basketball team for four years. He used his fifth year of eligibility to join the football team as a tight end. Fant signed a deal with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent following the 2016 NFL Draft and won the backup offensive tackle spot in training camp despite never playing the position in college.
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How to watch Liberty vs. Western Kentucky: TV channel and streaming
Game start: Tues., Oct. 24, 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium, Bowling Green, Ky.
Cable TV: ESPNU
Streaming: ESPN App, FuboTV
How to watch: Catch football action this season on Fubo
NCAAF odds Week 9: Liberty vs. Western Kentucky lines, betting trends
Liberty are favorites to defeat Western Kentucky, according to the BetMGM college football odds. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering NFL betting promos in 2023.
Spread: Liberty (-4)
Moneyline: Liberty (-200); Western Kentucky (+165)
Over/under: 60.5
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Liberty football schedule and results
All times eastern. All remaining games after Week 9 take place on Saturday.
Week 1: Liberty 34 - 24 Bowling Green FINAL
Week 2: Liberty 33 - 17 New Mexico State FINAL
Week 3: Liberty 31 - 13 Minnesota FINAL
Week 4: Liberty 55 - 27 Buffalo FINAL
Week 5: BYE
Week 6: Liberty 38 - 6 FIU FINAL
Week 7: Liberty 21- 16 Sam Houston FINAL
Week 8: Liberty 42 - 35 Middle Tennessee FINAL
Week 9: Liberty @ Western Kentucky, Tuesday, Oct. 24, 7:30 p.m., ESPNU
Week 10: Liberty vs. Louisiana Tech, 6 p.m., CBS Sports Network
Week 11: Liberty vs. Old Dominion, 1 p.m., ESPN Platforms
Week 12: Liberty vs. UMass, 1 p.m., ESPN Platforms
Week 13: Liberty @ UTEP, 3:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network
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Western Kentucky football schedule and results
All times eastern. All remaining games after Week 9 take place on Saturday.
Week 1: Western Kentucky 41 - 24 South Florida FINAL
Week 2: Western Kentucky 52 - 22 Houston Christian FINAL
Week 3: Western Kentucky 10 - 63 Ohio State FINAL
Week 4: Western Kentucky 24 - 27 Troy FINAL
Week 5: Western Kentucky 31- 10 Middle Tennessee FINAL
Week 6: Western Kentucky 35 - 28 Louisiana Tech FINAL
Week 7: BYE
Week 8: Western Kentucky 17 - 20 Jacksonville State FINAL
Week 9: Western Kentucky vs. Liberty, Tuesday, Oct. 24, 7:30 p.m., ESPNU
Week 10: Western Kentucky @ UTEP, 9 p.m., ESPN Platforms
Week 11: Western Kentucky vs. New Mexico State, 3:30 p.m., ESPN Platforms
Week 12: Western Kentucky vs. Sam Houston, 3:30 p.m., ESPN Platforms
Week 13: Western Kentucky @ FIU, 3 p.m., ESPN
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Liberty vs. Western Kentucky: schedule, odds, helmets, and how to watch