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ESPN's Greg McElroy, Cole Cubelic predictions for Ole Miss vs. Liberty University football

erik hall, mississippi clarion ledger
·4 min read

During Friday's "McElroy and Cubelic In The Morning" radio show, Greg McElroy and Cole Cubelic made predictions about college football games across the Southeastern Conference and the country.

One of the games the pair discussed was the Liberty University at Ole Miss football game, which is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. CT on Saturday.

Ole Miss, ranked No. 15 in the USA Today Sports AFCA Coaches Poll, enters the matchup 6-2 overall. Liberty University comes into the game 7-2 overall.

Greg McElroy, Cole Cubelic picks for Ole Miss vs. Liberty football

Mississippi running back Snoop Conner (24) carries the ball in for a touchdown against Auburn during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021 in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Mississippi running back Snoop Conner (24) carries the ball in for a touchdown against Auburn during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021 in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Greg McElroy picked Ole Miss.

Cole Cubelic picked Liberty to cover the 9.5-point spread.

"I like the Rebels, and it's because the talent gap is still fairly significant," McElroy said. "And we can talk about the injuries that have been sustained by the Ole Miss team. And while it's concerning, don't think for a second (Ole Miss head coach) Lane Kiffin don't know the stakes this weekend. And I would love if all of their top receivers were at 100% and all available and all hands on deck, but that's not the case. So that's probably why the number is where it is.

"But I think people are infatuated with the idea that (Liberty quarterback) Malik Willis is some super-human freak," McElroy continued. "He's a great player. He's an excellent player, but I'm not sure he's capable of overcoming the talent gap. Y'all, Syracuse beat Liberty, OK, and they beat them rather convincingly. I got news for you — this Ole Miss team would run laps around Syracuse. ... I think that this Ole Miss team is not getting the credit that they deserve, and Liberty is far too trendy with the Hugh Freeze angle and the Malik Willis angle."

Syracuse beat Liberty 24-21 on Sept. 24.

Chris "The Bear" Fallica predictions for Ole Miss, Liberty football

ESPN broadcaster Chris "The Bear" Fallica appeared on "McElroy and Cubelic In The Morning" early in the show, and he discussed Ole Miss vs. Liberty with McElroy and Cubelic.

Chris "The Bear" Fallica picked Liberty to cover the 9 1/2-point spread. He also picked the under.

"I feel like 9 1/2 is too much for Ole Miss at home against Liberty with everything that's going into this game, the emotion that's going to be part of this game, the distraction that's going to be a part of this game," Cubelic said. "I think Hugh (Freeze) dumps everything that he's got in every hard drive, every file, everything that he's ever had — he's going to bust it out in this game. (An over/under of) 67 1/2 (points), I don't know if I feel good about either side of that.

"I think just given Ole Miss is as beat up as they are — both guards out, tight end injuries, wide receiver injuries, defense not playing great," Cubelic continued. "I think Malik Willis and Liberty can find ways to move the ball consistently."

Liberty Head Coach Hugh Freeze celebrates after they defeated the Virginia Tech in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 7 2020, in Blacksburg, Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP, Pool)
Liberty Head Coach Hugh Freeze celebrates after they defeated the Virginia Tech in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 7 2020, in Blacksburg, Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP, Pool)

Hugh Freeze was the Ole Miss football head coach from 2012-16. He's been the Liberty head coach since 2019.

"I'm going to lean towards the under in this game," Fallica said. "You mentioned the injuries, and I don't know. Obviously, (Ole Miss quarterback) Matt Corral is going to play, but how long can he go. And watching Liberty, I'm not sold that they're going to be able to score the ball ... a whole lot in this game. This is not the same Liberty-type offense that Hugh had there the last couple years that completely lit the world on fire. But I do agree, I think taking Liberty plus the 9 1/2 (points) is the way to go. And I would lean towards the under 67 1/2 (points)."

Here's more Ole Miss, Liberty football news:

McElroy played quarterback at Alabama from 2007-10, and he joined ESPN in 2014. Cubelic was an offensive lineman at Auburn from 1997-2000 and joined ESPN in 2011.

Erik Hall is the lead digital producer for sports with the USA Today Network. You can find him on Twitter @HallErik.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship, and there is no influence on news coverage.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: ESPN's Greg McElroy, Cole Cubelic pick Liberty vs. Ole Miss football