Free NCAAF Pick: Flames vs. Owls Odds
Looking for Liberty Flames vs. Kennesaw State Owls Free NCAA Week 8 picks & NCAA odds? NCAAF betting sees the Flames taking on the Owls on 10/22 at Fifth Third Stadium, in Kennesaw, GA. This free NCAA football pick is based on matchup analysis and documented handicapping data tracked by CappersPicks since 2004, with a focus on identifying the strongest betting angle for this Flames Owls matchup.
2026 NCAAF Handicapping – Liberty Flames vs Kennesaw State Owls
(5-1) Liberty Flames vs. Kennesaw State Owls (1-5)
Date: Oct 22, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Venue: Fifth Third Stadium in Kennesaw, GA
NCAAF Moneyline Odds: Flames -446 | Owls +337 (Bet Now!)
Today’s NCAAF Spread Betting Odds: Flames -10.5 | Owls +10.5
NCAAF Football Gambling Total: O/U: 49.5
Here’s why I’m backing an OVER bet below in my Flames Owls free pick & gambling prediction for this matchup.
Flames vs. Owls Gameday
The Liberty Flames visit the Kennesaw State Owls on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at Walens Family Field at Fifth Third Stadium in Kennesaw, Georgia. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET on CBS Sports Network. This Week 8 Conference USA matchup features two teams heading in opposite directions.
Liberty enters 5-1 overall and 2-0 in conference play. The Flames have won five straight and can secure bowl eligibility with another victory.
Jamey Chadwell has his team firmly in the CUSA race.
Liberty has the better record, but Kennesaw State has already made a habit of giving the Flames headaches.
Kennesaw State sits 1-5 overall and 0-2 in conference action. The Owls have dropped five consecutive games, including three straight defeats by three points or fewer. Their record looks considerably worse than their recent competitiveness.
Jerry Mack’s team returns home looking for its first conference victory. Liberty, meanwhile, comes off an open week that gave the Flames additional preparation time.
One team wants bowl eligibility, and the other desperately needs a win.
It’s Week 8, Liberty Flames vs. Kennesaw State Owls, hopefully we get a great matchup.
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Liberty Flames vs. Kennesaw State Owls Odds & Previous Games
Liberty opened as the -412 moneyline favorite, with Kennesaw State at +323. The Flames are laying 10.5 points on the road, while the Owls are getting 10.5. The total is set at 49.5 points.
Liberty’s five-game winning streak includes victories over Gardner-Webb 24-23, Ball State 51-15 and Coastal Carolina 34-17. The Flames followed those results with a 30-14 win at Delaware.
Their most recent outing was a 35-3 victory over Sam Houston.
Kennesaw State’s losing streak began with a 31-17 defeat against Georgia State. The Owls then fell 42-9 to Tennessee and 17-14 to Arkansas State. Conference losses followed against Jacksonville State 27-26 and Missouri State 24-21.
The Owls have won their last three meetings with Liberty, including a 48-42 double-overtime victory in 2025. They also upset the Flames 27-24 in 2024.
Kennesaw State’s 42-28 win in 2017 gives the Owls a 3-2 advantage in the all-time series.
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Owls Stats
Kennesaw State has scored 134 points through six games, averaging 22.3 per contest. The Owls have generated 1,357 passing yards and 862 net rushing yards. Their offense has moved the football more effectively than the record suggests, but finishing possessions remains a problem.
Boogie Woods III has rushed for 253 yards and four touchdowns. He’s also contributed 22 receptions, giving the Owls another option when defenses take away the deeper routes.
Kennesaw State isn’t short on effort, but close losses don’t count for much in the standings.
Defensively, the Owls have allowed 141 points, an average of 23.5 per game. They’ve recovered five fumbles and collected three interceptions. Their eight takeaways lead Conference USA entering Week 8.
Linebacker Tywon Christopher has recorded 27 tackles and four tackles for loss over his last two games. Defensive lineman Ugonna Nwoha leads Kennesaw State with three sacks and five tackles for loss.
The defense needs that disruption against Liberty’s balanced attack.
Flames Stats
Liberty has scored 187 points in six games, averaging 31.2 per contest. The Flames have rushed for 1,338 net yards, producing 223 yards per game. Their ability to control the line of scrimmage has been central to the winning streak.
Kam Davis leads the backfield with 524 rushing yards and four touchdowns. His 7.1 yards per carry gives Liberty a reliable source of explosive gains.
That’s a difficult assignment for any defense.
The Flames have allowed only 92 points, an average of 15.3 per game. Opponents are gaining 291.7 total yards per contest, and Liberty has intercepted five passes. The defense has provided consistent support when the offense needs time to establish itself.
Liberty has also recorded 12 sacks, helping its secondary avoid extended coverage assignments. The pass rush will be important against a Kennesaw State offense that prefers quick decisions.
Chadwell has built a team that can win without relying on one phase.
Flames vs. Owls QB Matchup
Rickie Collins has started all six games for Kennesaw State, completing 129 of 184 passes for 1,302 yards. He has thrown four touchdowns and three interceptions while completing 70.1 percent of his attempts. That accuracy has been one of the brighter spots in an otherwise frustrating season.
Collins has completed at least 60 percent of his throws in every game. His ability to deliver quick passes gives the Owls a way to counter an aggressive pass rush.
The challenge is turning completions into touchdowns.
Collins also contributes as a runner, adding another element to Kennesaw State’s offense. He accounted for two touchdowns against Missouri State, including a nine-yard scoring run. His mobility becomes particularly useful when protection breaks down.
Liberty counters with Deshawn Purdie, who has completed 70 of 114 passes for 1,050 yards. He has thrown eight touchdowns without an interception through six games.
That’s the kind of ball security coaches don’t complain about.
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Purdie is averaging 9.2 yards per pass attempt, giving Liberty an explosive element alongside its rushing attack. He threw for 114 yards and a touchdown in the victory over Sam Houston. His willingness to take what defenses offer has helped the Flames avoid unnecessary mistakes.
Kennesaw State must keep Purdie from getting comfortable on early downs. Liberty will look to create favorable matchups through its running game before attacking downfield.
Liberty Flames vs. Kennesaw State Owls bottom line: Liberty has the stronger overall team, but Collins and the Owls’ passing attack give Kennesaw State a chance to make this more competitive than the records suggest.
Liberty Flames vs. Kennesaw State Owls Football Betting Trends
- The Flames are 5-0 straight up in their last 5 games as favorites in 2026.
- Liberty is 4-0 against the spread in their last 4 games as favorites in 2026.
- Plus, the Flames have a 4-0 record against the spread after a win in 2026.
- Kennesaw State is 5-0 against the spread as underdogs in their last 5 games in 2025-2026.
- Additionally, the Owls are 4-1 against the spread after a loss in their last 5 games in 2025-2026.
- Kennesaw State holds a 9-3 record against the spread in home games from 2024 to 2026.
Flames Owls Free Pick: Over 49.5
Here is my Flames Owls free pick: I’m betting Over 49.5. Liberty is the better football team, and I’m counting on the Flames to put Kennesaw State’s defense under pressure early. The Owls don’t have to win this game to help cash an Over.
Liberty’s ability to establish the run should create favorable passing opportunities. If the Flames start finishing drives with touchdowns instead of field goals, this number becomes very manageable.
That’s the difference between controlling a game and putting points on the board.
I don’t need a shootout between equals; I need Liberty scoring and Kennesaw State refusing to disappear.
The Owls have enough offensive ability to contribute without matching Liberty possession for possession. Even a couple of scoring drives can keep the total within reach. And when a double-digit underdog falls behind, there’s little reason to sit on the football.
That’s where the second-half opportunities come in. Kennesaw State should have chances to attack a defense protecting a lead rather than chasing every play.
I’ll gladly take a late touchdown that means absolutely nothing to the winner.
My biggest concern is Liberty getting ahead and killing the clock before Kennesaw State contributes enough. The Owls need to avoid empty possessions early, especially when the Flames are moving the ball. A 35-17 finish gets us there without requiring an offensive masterpiece from either side.
I’m expecting Liberty to do the heavy lifting on the scoreboard. Kennesaw State only needs to make the favorite keep playing offense.
My play’s on Over 49.5.
Today’s Week 8 NCAAF Free Pick
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Kennesaw State Owls on X
Back at home 🏠
#HootyHoo https://t.co/uxMSWR7sBR
— Kennesaw State Football (@kennesawstfb) October 18, 2026
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