The 2019 Liberty Bowl pits Kansas State (8-4) against Navy (10-2). The Liberty Bowl is the 7th oldest bowl game in the history of college football, with this being the 60th installment of the storied bowl game.
Kansas State is no stranger to this bowl, most recently playing here in 2016. They were blown out in that one, 45-23 at the hands of Arkansas, and they’re hoping for a much better result this time around in the 2019 Liberty Bowl.
How They Got Here
Kansas State: 8-4
New coach Chris Klieman gave the Wilcats a three game bump, putting their record at 8-4 so far on the season. Longtime coach Bill Snyder retired after KSU failed to reach a bowl game in 2018, snapping an eight year bowl streak.
Kansas State is no stranger to big wins. During this season they took down Oklahoma and Iowa State, and are looking to get their third victory over a ranked team as they take on Navy.
The Wildcats score about 31 points per contest, but do a really good job of spreading the offense around. No receiver or running back has over 700 yards on the season, but 12 different guys have at least 100 total yards.
QB Skylar Thompson has been getting it done through the air and on the ground. He has thrown for almost 2,200 yards and has another 400 on the ground. He’s thrown for 12 touchdowns and run in ten more.
The Wildcat defense allows 21.5 points per game, which is 21st in the nation. They do a fantastic job as a unit getting in the backfield, racking up 21 sacks and 62 TFLs.
At the forefront of that movement is sophomore DE Wyatt Hubert. He has 12.5 TFLs and 7 sacks. He has also forced one fumble en route to 30 tackles on the season.
Navy: 10-2
Following two losses to ranked opponents, Navy is looking to win 11 games for only the second time in their 100+ year existence. The Midshipmen bounced back from a 3-10 season in 2018 that broke their bowl game streak at six. Navy is 11-11-1 in bowl games all time, and are looking to put themselves up over .500.
The triple option offense is alive and well in Annapolis. QB Malcolm Perry has thrown the ball just 79 times this season for just over 1,000 yards and six TDs. On the ground he has added 1,804 yard and 21 TDs, averaging a touch under seven yards per carry. Jamale Carothers is the second leading rusher, adding 712 yards for 14 TDs, averaging 7.3 YPC.
Three Navy defensive lineman have 9+ TFLs: Jake Springer, Paul Carothers, and Nizaire Cromartie. Springer has also added three forced fumbles and eight sacks. Their lockdown corner, Michael McMorris is having a career year. The sophomore CB has nine PDs on the season, to go along with one pick, and 2.5 TFLs.
Player To Watch
Kansas State: Skylar Thompson
Their QB is vital to the success of the team. In their two big wins he did not make a huge impact, but he’s their most talented player on offense. He’ll have his hands full with the Navy front four, but he’s crafty enough to put together a third victory over a ranked opponent.
Navy: Malcolm Perry
This is going to be a battle of the QBs. Perry is having a fantastic season for the Midshipmen. His success is going to have to continue to achieve that historic 11th win they need. With the success we have seen from Lamar Jackson, another solid outing could turn a lot of heads for the senior dual threat.
Betting Picks: Navy -2.5 O/U 52
Navy has one of the best running attacks in the country. Kansas State has been pretty inconsistent this year, and I’m not sure which Wildcat team is going to show up. I love Navy -2.5 in this one, and I think that with their run game, even if it’s a blowout, there’s a good chance the over hits in this one as well. I’ll take Navy and the over in the 2019 Liberty Bowl.
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