Liberty vs. Wake Forest Picks, Predictions College Football Week 3: Flames Hang with Demon Deacons

Mike Spector

Last Updated: September 21, 2022 10:37 AM EDT • 2 min read. Twitter link Google News Link

Quinton Cooley #28 of the Wake Forest Deacons runs into the end zone against the Vanderbilt Commodores in the fourth quarter at Vanderbilt Stadium on September 10, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. — Quinton Cooley of the Wake Forest Deacons runs into the end zone against the Vanderbilt Commodores in the fourth quarter at Vanderbilt Stadium on September 10, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo by Carly Mackler/Getty Images via AFP.

The Liberty Flames play the first of three ranked teams on their 2022 schedule in a road game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. We're breaking down the betting angles with our Liberty-Wake Forest picks.

Wake Forest received a massive boost when quarterback Sam Hartman was cleared to return last week against Vanderbilt after he had surgery in early August to remove a blood clot.

Here are our top picks for Liberty-Wake Forest in Week 3 (odds via PointsBet and DraftKings Sportsbook; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

Liberty vs. Wake Forest Picks

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Liberty vs. Wake Forest ATS Pick

Liberty +16.5 (-107) ★

Wake Forest's ACC championship hopes are likely on the line as early as next week when the team plays one of its biggest home games in school history with Clemson coming to town. If that does not sound the alarm for this being a 'trap spot' against a feisty Liberty squad, I don't know what does.

Liberty has taken care of business with a pair of one-score victories over Southern Miss and UAB. The Flames received terrible news when starting quarterback Charlie Brewer was ruled out for 6-8 weeks after breaking his hand in the season opener. Still, dual-threat quarterback Kaidon Salter filled in admirably with 281 total yards in the UAB win.

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Liberty vs. Wake Forest O/U Pick

Over 63.5 (-110) ★★★★

Salter is Liberty's third-string quarterback, but the coaching staff have confidence in him, as they ran 85 plays in the season opener. Had Salter been viewed as a liability, the team would have slowed the tempo instead of playing at a breakneck pace. The Flames also return 90% of their offensive line and two-thirds of their receiving production from last year, which has helped Salter get comfortable early.

We don't have to sell the fact that the Demon Deacons should score points with Hartman back. His 50 touchdowns in 2021 were tied for the second-most in ACC history, and he entered last week's game with the second-most passing yards in program history.

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Liberty vs. Wake Forest Prop Pick

First quarter Over 13.5 points (-120) ★★★

Liberty was held scoreless in the first quarter but should be more comfortable in Salter's second consecutive start.

Wake Forest should have no problem scoring early, especially after the Liberty defense was gashed for 177 yards and 8.9 yards per carry by UAB's DeWayne McBride. With how fast these teams play, four-to-five combined possessions in the first quarter are likely.

Where to Bet on Liberty vs. Wake Forest Picks

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Liberty-Wake Forest picks made 9/16/2022 at 11:16 a.m. ET

Written By:
Mike Spector

I have been in the sports writing industry for over three years, working for sites like BettingPros/FantasyPros, Oddschecker, and Sportsbook Review. In my first year writing for BettingPros, I finished with the #2 overall record in their annual NFL betting competition, which made picks against the spread, and from an over/under and moneyline perspective. I am an avid fan of the NFL, MLB, and all college sports. In my opinion, March Madness is the best sporting event there is, and I am especially euphoric starting with conference tournament time in college basketball. I am a big advocate of "fading the public" and making plays that are contrarian, constantly citing that "there are reasons why they have those big shiny buildings in Las Vegas." Follow me on Twitter for my best bets and commentary to go along with the wagers.