The AutoZone Liberty Bowl is scheduled to kick off on Dec. 28 at 5:30 p.m. ET during the 2022-23 College Football Bowl Season. The game is held at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis, making it one of 12 bowl stadiums primarily home to an FBS team (Memphis). The upstart Kansas Jayhawks (6-6) play the Arkansas Razorbacks (6-6) in this year’s edition. Below, we’ll look at Liberty Bowl odds and bowl history.
Liberty Bowl odds: Arkansas Vs. Kansas
To place a bet on the Liberty Bowl, click on the odds in the table below. Toggle between spread, moneyline, total, or a blended view using the dropdown menu.
Arkansas is a favorite over the upstart Kansas Jayhawks in the Liberty Bowl. The line’s come down slightly after opening at 4.5 points and the over/under is set at points.
The Razorbacks will be shorthanded in this game. Defensive coordinator Barry Odom is headed to Las Vegas to coach UNLV and all-conference selections Drew Sanders and Ricky Stomberg as well as receiver Jadon Hasselwood are skipping the bowl for the NFL Draft. The other inside backer Bumper Pool won’t play in the game due to injury. Further, tight end Trey Knox, receiver Ketron Jackson, and defensive back Myles Slusher entered the transfer portal.
Motivation plays a big factor in this game. Lance Leipold led the Jayhawks to their first bowl since 2008 and Kansas will be ready to capitalize on their season. They’ve seriously outplayed expectations this season, blowing away their 2.5 preseason win total. Jalon Daniels will likely be healthy given the lengthy break he gets before this game.
In the battle of “Who wants to be here more?” Kansas has a massive advantage. However, they fizzled out down the back half of the season, losing six of their final seven games. Though their expected win rate is at 44%, Kansas makes a strong contrarian upset pick in bowl confidence pools. They’re on the moneyline, which you’ll be paying plenty of vig for.
Notable Opt Outs
Arkansas: LB Drew Sanders, C Ricky Stromberg, WR Jadon Hasselwood, TE Trey Knox, WR Ketron Jackson, DB Myles Slusher, DL Isaiah Nichols
Kansas: None
Liberty Bowl betting
For odds for all college bowl games go here.
Texas Tech continued a run of underdogs covering the Liberty Bowl last season, beating Mississippi State as a 10-point underdog outright. It was a drama-filled matchup as the Red Raiders squared off against former coach Mike Leach, who holds a grudge against them for allegedly owing him money. It was one of the more surprising matchups of Bowl Season in 2021.
The game wasn’t in doubt, either– Texas Tech won 38-7. Due to the lack of offensive output from Mississippi State, under 58.5 points cleared with ease.
Previous Years
Tech is just the latest of a run of underdogs to cover in the Liberty Bowl. Five of the last six bowl games saw the underdog cover, with four of those underdogs winning outright. The lone exception was a tight cover for Navy (-2) over Kansas State, 20-17 in 2019.
Four of the last five Liberty Bowl games saw the under cash, with the 2020 iteration being the exception. The over cashed in that game between Army and West Virginia thanks to the point total being set at 41 points; the Mountaineers would win the game 24-21.
History
Below are historical results of the Liberty Bowl.
The first Liberty Bowl was played in 1959 in Philadelphia (hence the name “Liberty”), where Penn State beat Alabama 7-0. The game was moved to Memphis in 1965 when the construction of Liberty Stadium finished, with the 1964 bowl game held in Atlantic City, NJ.
| Date Played | Winner | Score | Loser | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 28, 2022 | Arkansas | 55 | Kansas | 53 (3OT) |
| December 28, 2021 | Texas Tech | 34 | Mississippi State | 7 |
| December 31, 2020 | West Virginia | 24 | Army | 21 |
| December 31, 2019 | 21 Navy | 20 | Kansas State | 17 |
| December 31, 2018 | Oklahoma State | 38 | 24 Missouri | 33 |
| December 30, 2017 | Iowa State | 21 | 18 Memphis | 20 |
| December 30, 2016 | Georgia | 31 | TCU | 23 |
| January 2, 2016 | Arkansas | 45 | Kansas State | 23 |
| December 29, 2014 | Texas A&M | 45 | West Virginia | 37 |
| December 31, 2013 | Mississippi State | 44 | Rice | 7 |
| December 31, 2012 | Tulsa | 31 | Iowa State | 17 |
| December 31, 2011 | Cincinnati | 31 | Vanderbilt | 24 |
| December 31, 2010 | UCF | 10 | Georgia | 6 |
| January 2, 2010 | Arkansas | 20 | East Carolina | 17 (OT) |
| January 2, 2009 | Kentucky | 25 | East Carolina | 19 |
| December 29, 2007 | Mississippi State | 10 | UCF | 3 |
| December 29, 2006 | South Carolina | 44 | Houston | 36 |
| December 31, 2005 | Tulsa | 31 | Fresno State | 24 |
| December 31, 2004 | 7 Louisville | 44 | 10 Boise State | 40 |
| December 31, 2003 | 25 Utah | 17 | Southern Miss | 0 |
| December 31, 2002 | TCU | 17 | 23 Colorado State | 3 |
| December 31, 2001 | 23 Louisville | 28 | 19 BYU | 10 |
| December 29, 2000 | 23 Colorado State | 22 | 22 Louisville | 17 |
| December 31, 1999 | 16 Southern Miss | 23 | Colorado State | 17 |
| December 31, 1998 | 10 Tulane | 41 | BYU | 27 |
| December 31, 1997 | Southern Miss | 41 | Pittsburgh | 7 |
| December 27, 1996 | 23 Syracuse | 30 | Houston | 17 |
| December 30, 1995 | East Carolina | 19 | Stanford | 13 |
| December 31, 1994 | Illinois | 30 | East Carolina | 0 |
| December 28, 1993 | 25 Louisville | 18 | Michigan State | 7 |
| December 31, 1992 | 20 Ole Miss | 13 | Air Force | 0 |
| December 29, 1991 | Air Force | 38 | Mississippi State | 15 |
| December 27, 1990 | Air Force | 23 | 24 Ohio State | 11 |
| December 29, 1989 | Ole Miss | 42 | Air Force | 29 |
| December 28, 1988 | Indiana | 34 | South Carolina | 10 |
| December 29, 1987 | 15 Georgia | 20 | Arkansas | 17 |
| December 29, 1986 | Tennessee | 21 | Minnesota | 14 |
| December 27, 1985 | Baylor | 21 | 12 LSU | 7 |
| December 27, 1984 | 16 Auburn | 21 | Arkansas | 15 |
| December 29, 1983 | Notre Dame | 19 | 13 Boston College | 18 |
| December 29, 1982 | Alabama | 21 | Illinois | 15 |
| December 30, 1981 | 15 Ohio State | 31 | Navy | 28 |
| December 27, 1980 | 16 Purdue | 28 | Missouri | 25 |
| December 22, 1979 | Penn State | 9 | 15 Tulane | 6 |
| December 23, 1978 | 18 Missouri | 20 | LSU | 15 |
| December 19, 1977 | 12 Nebraska | 21 | 14 North Carolina | 17 |
| December 20, 1976 | 16 Alabama | 36 | 7 UCLA | 6 |
| December 22, 1975 | USC | 20 | 2 Texas A&M | 0 |
| December 16, 1974 | Tennessee | 7 | 10 Maryland | 3 |
| December 17, 1973 | 16 NC State | 31 | 19 Kansas | 18 |
| December 18, 1972 | Georgia Tech | 31 | Iowa State | 30 |
| December 20, 1971 | 9 Tennessee | 14 | 18 Arkansas | 13 |
| December 12, 1970 | Tulane | 17 | Colorado | 3 |
| December 13, 1969 | Colorado | 47 | Alabama | 33 |
| December 14, 1968 | Ole Miss | 34 | Virginia Tech | 17 |
| December 16, 1967 | NC State | 14 | Georgia | 7 |
| December 10, 1966 | 9 Miami (Florida) | 14 | Virginia Tech | 7 |
| December 18, 1965 | Ole Miss | 13 | Auburn | 7 |
| December 19, 1964 | Utah | 32 | West Virginia | 6 |
| December 21, 1963 | Mississippi State | 16 | NC State | 12 |
| December 15, 1962 | Oregon State | 6 | Villanova | 0 |
| December 16, 1961 | 14 Syracuse | 15 | Miami (Florida) | 14 |
| December 20, 1960 | 16 Penn State | 41 | Oregon | 12 |
| December 19, 1959 | 12 Penn State | 7 | 10 Alabama | 0 |
FAQ
When is the 2022 Liberty Bowl?
The 2022 Liberty Bowl will be played on Dec. 28, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. ET.
Where is the Liberty Bowl?
Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis hosts the Liberty Bowl. It’s primarily the home for the Memphis Tigers, making it one of 12 bowl stadiums primarily home to an FBS team.
Who is playing in the 2022 Liberty Bowl?
Kansas and Arkansas play in the 2022 Liberty Bowl.