AP Top 25 Poll

#18 Liberty Flames

2023

Overall Record

13-0

Last Game

vs New Mexico State W 49-35

Conference Record

9-0

Next Game

@Oregon 01/01/2024

Iowa State wide receiver Jaylin Noel (13) runs for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas State Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Manhattan, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Memphis stays home to take on Big 12’s Iowa State in the Liberty Bowl on Dec. 29

Memphis is aiming to reach 10 wins this season when the Tigers face Iowa State in the Liberty Bowl. The matchup is set for Dec. 29 in Memphis.

Liberty coach Jamey Chadwell celebrates with players after a win over New Mexico State in the Conference USA championship NCAA college football game Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, in Lynchburg, Va. (AP Photo/Robert Simmons)

Undefeated No. 18 Liberty faces No. 8 Oregon in the Fiesta Bowl

Oregon quarterback Bo Nix looks to pass against Washington during the first half of the Pac-12 championship NCAA college football game Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)

No. 18 Liberty takes undefeated season into Fiesta Bowl against No. 8 Oregon

CORRECTS LAST NAME OF COACH TO CHADWELL, INSTEAD OF FALWELL - Liberty coach Jamey Chadwell waves after the team's win over New Mexico State during the Conference USA championship NCAA college football game Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, in Lynchburg, Va. (Paige Dingler/The News & Advance via AP)

Kaidon Salter leads unbeaten No. 20 Liberty past New Mexico State 49-35 for C-USA title

Liberty coach Jamey Chadwell leads his team onto the field to face UTEP in an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in El Paso, Texas. Liberty became the first Division I team from Virginia to win 12 games in a season. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

Unbeaten Liberty seeking second victory of the season against New Mexico State in CUSA title game

Liberty coach Jamey Chadwell leads his team onto the field to face UTEP in an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in El Paso, Texas. Liberty became the first Division I team from Virginia to win 12 games in a season. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

Lucky 13? Liberty looks to go to 13-0 when it faces New Mexico State in CUSA championship

Liberty hopes 13 is a lucky number when it faces New Mexico State in the Conference USA championship.

Liberty running back Quinton Cooley (20) celebrates after scoring a touchdown ahead of UTEP safety Kobe Hylton (2) during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in El Paso, Texas. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

Liberty finishes 1st perfect regular season in program’s 50 years with 42-28 win over UTEP

No. 22 Liberty completed the first undefeated regular season in the program’s 50-year history, with Quinton Cooley rushing for three touchdowns in a 42-28 victory over UTEP.

Liberty's Kaidon Salter, center, is upended short of the goal line against Massachusetts' Darius Gooden, Derrieon, Craig and Jerrod Cameron during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Lynchburg, Va. (AP Photo/Robert Simmons)

No. 22 Liberty tries to finish 1st perfect regular season in trip to UTEP

No. 22 Liberty is a win from the first perfect regular season in the program’s six years at the FBS level and already set to host the Conference USA championship in its league debut.

Liberty's Kaidon Salter lies down after running the ball for a touchdown against UMass during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Lynchburg, Va. (AP Photo/Robert Simmons)

No. 22 Liberty goes for first perfect regular season in visit to three-win UTEP

No. 22 Liberty is trying to wrap up the first perfect regular season in the program’s six years at the FBS level in a visit to three-win UTEP on Saturday.

New Mexico State quarterback Diego Pavia throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

New Mexico State throttles Auburn 31-10 for first win over SEC team

Diego Pavia passed for 201 yards and three touchdowns and New Mexico State upset Auburn 31-10 for the Aggies’ first win over a Southeastern Conference team.

Liberty's Kaidon Salter runs the ball for a touchdown past UMass' Jerry Roberts Jr. during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Lynchburg, Va. (AP Photo/Robert Simmons)

No. 25 Liberty stays unbeaten after Kaidon Salter accounts for 4 touchdowns in 49-25 win over UMass

Kaidon Salter threw for 225 yards, rushed for 118 and accounted for four touchdowns as No. 25 Liberty defeated UMass 49-25.

Liberty's Kaidon Salter looks to pass against Old Dominion during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Lynchburg, Va. (AP Photo/Robert Simmons)

No. 25 Liberty looks to keep perfect regular season alive against a UMass team with 2 straight wins

Liberty can move within one win of a perfect regular season and achieve the first 11-win campaign in program history when it plays host to Massachusetts.

Liberty's CJ Daniels catches a touchdown pass ahead of Old Dominion's Ryan Ramey (27) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Lynchburg, Va. (AP Photo/Robert Simmons)

Kaidon Salter throws 3 TDs, runs 2 more as No. 25 Liberty beats Old Dominion 38-10

Kaidon Salter threw three touchdown passes and ran for two more, all in the first half, as No. 25 Liberty kept its perfect record intact with a 38-10 victory over Old Dominion on Saturday.

James Madison coach Curt Cignetti, left, meets with Old Dominion coach Ricky Rahne after an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in Harrisonburg, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Caudill)

Unbeaten Liberty puts perfect season on the line against ODU team specializing in tight games

Liberty will be looking to remain unbeaten when it faces Old Dominion. The 25th-ranked Flames are already the regular season champions in Conference USA.

Salter’s 4 TD passes help Liberty beat Louisiana Tech 56-30, improve to 9-0

Kaidon Salter threw four touchdown passes, Quinton Cooley and Aaron Bedgood scored two touchdowns apiece and Liberty beat Louisiana Tech 56-30 to improve to 9-0 for the first time in program history.

Liberty beats Western Kentucky 42-29 behind Kaidon Salter’s 4 touchdowns

Kaidon Salter passed for 169 yards and three touchdowns, and he carried it 13 times for 113 yards and another score to help Liberty beat Western Kentucky 42-29.

Salter passes for 2 TDs, Cooley runs for three TDs, Liberty beats Middle Tennessee 42-35

Kaidon Salter threw two touchdowns passes and added 160 yards rushing, Quinton Cooley scored three rushing touchdown and Liberty beat Middle Tennessee 42-35.

Unbeaten Liberty already bowl eligible after 31-13 win over Jacksonville St

Quinton Cooley ran for 163 yards and two scores, Kaidon Salter threw two touchdown passes and Liberty pulled away in the second half to beat Jacksonville State 31-13 and remain unbeaten.Liberty (6-0, 4-0 Conference USA) became bowl eligible for the fifth straight season.Salter fired a 27-yard scorin

Singleton breaks up 2 passes in end zone to save Liberty’s 21-16 win over Sam Houston

Kobe Singleton broke up two passes in the end zone as Keegan Shoemaker threw four incompletions from the the three-yard line in the closing seconds and Liberty held on for a 21-16 win over Sam Houston State.

Salters leads Liberty to 38-6 romp over Florida International

Kaidon Salter threw two touchdown passes and ran for two scores, Billy Lucas and Quinton Cooley both topped 100 yards rushing and Liberty thumped Florida International 38-6 in the Panthers’ Conference USA opener.

Kaidon Salter throws for 344 yards, 5 TDs to help Liberty beat Buffalo 55-27

Kaidon Salter threw for 344 yards and five touchdowns, and he ran for another score to help Liberty beat Buffalo 55-27.

Kaidon Salter throws for two scores, runs for two more in Liberty’s 33-17 win over New Mexico State

Kaidon Salter accounted for four touchdowns and Liberty defeated New Mexico State 33-17 in a Conference USA opener.

A U.S flag is rolled out onto the field before the Holiday Bowl NCAA college football game between North Carolina and Oregon Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

Changes on horizon for bowls as CFP expands to 12 teams

As college football’s postseason heads toward the debut of an expanded, 12-team playoff in 2024 those involved with bowls anticipate changes.

Oregon running back Bucky Irving (0) runs for a touchdown past North Carolina defensive back Lejond Cavazos (6) during the first half of the Holiday Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

Nix, No. 15 Oregon rally past North Carolina in Holiday Bowl

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Bo Nix threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Chase Cota on fourth down with 19 seconds left and Camden Lewis’ PAT bounced off the left upright and went through to give No. 15 Oregon a wild 28-27 victory against North Carolina in the Holiday Bowl on Wednesday night at Petco Park.

FILE - Kansas head coach Lance Leipold looks on during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Houston, Sept. 17, 2022, in Houston. The Kansas Jayhawks see a very bright future thanks to Leipold's quick turnaround. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith, File)

Liberty Bowl pits Kansas vs Arkansas for 1st time since 1906

The Kansas Jayhawks see a bright future thanks to coach Lance Leipold’s quick turnaround.

The Arkansas Razorbacks?

FILE - Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman looks on during the first half of the Outback Bowl NCAA college football game against Penn State, Jan. 1, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. Pittman has the Razorbacks playing in their second straight bowl game with the Liberty Bowl, Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)

Winning record at stake for Kansas, Arkansas at Liberty Bowl

Liberty Bowl: Kansas (6-6) vs. Arkansas (6-6), Dec. 28, 5:30 p.m. EST (ESPN)

Series record: Kansas leads 2-0.

Toledo quarterback Dequan Finn (7) runs away from Liberty linebacker Jerome Jolly Jr. (0) during the first half of the Boca Raton Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022, in Boca Raton, Fla. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol)

Toledo hands Liberty 1st bowl loss, 21-19, in Boca Bowl

BOCA RATON, Fla. (AP) — As he dealt with various injuries throughout the 2022 season, Toledo quarterback Dequan Finn used a message from his coach to stay the course, and eventually, lead his team to a bowl win.

Toledo quarterback Dequan Finn (7) runs away from Liberty linebacker Jerome Jolly Jr. (0) during the first half of the Boca Raton Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022, in Boca Raton, Fla. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol)

Finn leads Toledo past Liberty 21-19 in Boca Raton Bowl

BOCA RATON, Fla. (AP) — Dequan Finn passed for 133 yards and a touchdown and rushed for another score to lead Toledo past Liberty 21-19 in the rainy Boca Raton Bowl on Tuesday night.

Toledo quarterback Dequan Finn throws during the first half of the Mid-American Conference championship NCAA college football game against Ohio, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Liberty faces Toledo seeking fourth straight bowl victory

Boca Raton Bowl: Liberty (8-4) vs. Toledo (8-5), Dec. 20, 7:30 p.m. EST (ESPN)

Series record: Toledo leads 3-0.

Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson throws a pass during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against Missouri Friday, Nov. 25, 2022, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)

Kansas returns to postseason, faces Arkansas in Liberty Bowl

Kansas (6-6, Big 12) vs. Arkansas (6-6, Southeastern Conference), Dec. 28, 5:30 p.m. ET

Kansas: RB Devin Neal.

Coastal Carolina head coach Jamey Chadwell talks over his headset during the first half of an NCAA college football game against James Madison in Harrisonburg, Va., Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022. (Daniel Lin/Daily News-Record via AP)

Liberty hires Coastal Carolina’s Chadwell to replace Freeze

Liberty has hired Coastal Carolina’s Jamey Chadwell, a former college quarterback known for his innovative approach to offense, to replace Hugh Freeze as the Flames’ coach.

Coastal Carolina running back Braydon Bennett (1) gets tackled by James Madison linebacker Jailin Walker (25) and safety Josh Sarratt (12) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Harrisonburg, Va., Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022. (Daniel Lin/Daily News-Record via AP)

Coastal Carolina to face East Carolina in Birmingham Bowl

TOP PLAYERS

Liberty running back Shedro Louis runs the ball for a touchdown against Virginia Tech during an NCAA college football game in Lynchburg, Va., Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. (Paige Dingler/The News & Advance via AP)

Liberty takes 3-0 bowl record in Boca Raton Bowl vs. Toledo

Toledo (8-5, Mid-American) vs. Liberty (8-4), Dec. 20, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

TOP PLAYERS

Coastal Carolina head coach Jamey Chadwell talks over his headset during the first half of an NCAA college football game against James Madison in Harrisonburg, Va., Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022. (Daniel Lin/Daily News-Record via AP)

Coastal Carolina hires NC State’s Beck to replace Chadwell

Coastal Carolina has hired North Carolina State offensive coordinator Tim Beck to replace Jamey Chadwell as head football coach.

FILE - Delaware head coach Danny Rocco, center, watches from the sideline during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Rutgers, on Sept. 18, 2021, in Piscataway, N.J. Virginia Military Institute has hired Rocco as its football coach, the school announced Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022. (Andrew Mills/NJ Advance Media via AP, File)

VMI picks Danny Rocco as next football coach

LEXINGTON, Va. (AP) — Virginia Military Institute has hired Danny Rocco as its football coach.

The school made the announcement Saturday.