[BCXtreme]

All I said was we have the budget to hang with any of those conferences, and I know Lynchburg isn't a top media market by any stretch of the imagination. But the rest of the Sun Belt, other than GaSt, doesn't have a huge market either. But do people in Atlanta really care about GaSt or are there just kinda there? To me it seems like Atlanta belongs to the Bulldogs and Yellow Jackets.

This, exactly. No one is kidding themselves here. Liberty's success on the gridiron has been limited, to say the least, and Lynchburg is not the Atlanta of Virginia. But history has proven that wins and TV markets are only two of several worthy types of growth. I'm not saying that Liberty has the same things going for them as Charlotte or anybody else. But Liberty does have their own unique things going for them. If they didn't, surely the Sun Belt would not have kept us in the conversation as long as they have, whether they ultimately invite us or not. Notice how fast they showed EKU the door, despite their record/prestige/history being clearly superior to ours. The four of us are getting pretty close to the "agree to disagree" point on this one, I think.

[JakeP50]

The four of us are getting pretty close to the "agree to disagree" point on this one, I think.

I think I've reached agree to disagree I don't have any more points to argue with.

[BCXtreme]

The four of us are getting pretty close to the "agree to disagree" point on this one, I think.

I think I've reached agree to disagree I don't have any more points to argue with.

Yeah, when I said "pretty close" I was underestimating on purpose. I think we've all said 'bout all there is to say without rehashing.

In other news, I have yet to see independent confirmation of Liberty being eliminated from contention for Sun Belt #12. I saw that Arkansas State is looking to launch an osteopathic medical school (source). I wonder if we could offer a strategic partnership of some kind in exchange for the two Arkansas votes...?

[jbock13]

I would say I agree strongly with SJ but, one, he probably can't read my posts, and, two, he would be highly embarrassed by my agreement.

You really have to look at the grand scheme of things. But I was there once before when I first joined. I followed everything pretty closely and found out I really knew nothing at all.

[SuperJon]

You're not foe'd. You grew out of it before I felt that strongly.

[CinciFlame]

Liberty 22 wrote on the SB board that Jr. is meeting with SB officials next week. Has this been confirmed? Thanks for any info.

[JakeP50]

Well there was the whole thing with Falwell 1 going to New Orleans earlier this week and then coming off the flight plans a few hours later.If there's any truth to these rumors they're probably just having the meeting that was meant for early this week and canceled because of the bad weather forecast for that region of the country.

[CinciFlame]

Knowing a meeting is still in the works would be big news. That would mean Liberty is still in play and this UMass thing is not a done deal as many would have you believe.

[Chris Lang]

I can't confirm if there's a meeting scheduled or not. But I can confirm Liberty is very much still in play, and that the assertion of the EKU president that the SB is looking FBS only at this point is untrue.

[Liberty22]

I can't confirm if there's a meeting scheduled or not. But I can confirm Liberty is very much still in play, and that the assertion of the EKU president that the SB is looking FBS only at this point is untrue.

Great news Chris. Thanks for info.

[flameshaw]

Knowing how much our fan base is wanting to join a FBS conference, I believe our administration would let us know if we are out of the running (if they knew for sure).
If they know we are in, I could see them waiting until graduation to make the announcement. But,I'm sure it would leak out before it could be made.

[SumItUp]

Only 35 days remaining in this round of realignment. We will know definitively where we stand soon.

[BJWilliams]

That wouldnt surprise me if that happened...you have to think that they will keep very close to the vest even in my old haunt at the news office and make sure that if they are gonna announce anything at graduation its the first anyone hears

[BJWilliams]

Decided to peruse the sun belt board I don't post) and one guy decided to question our scribe's credibility in countering the comments from the EKU president. He really has nothing to gain from posting/tweeting untrue information, but BYD did raise a good point as well with his last post over there

[Purple Haize]

Decided to peruse the sun belt board I don't post) and one guy decided to question our scribe's credibility in countering the comments from the EKU president. He really has nothing to gain from posting/tweeting untrue information, but BYD did raise a good point as well with his last post over there

None of which makes any sense if you don't look at that board. So why post it? Sort of like saying 'I read this thing from this guy about something someone said earlier. Remember?"

[BJWilliams]

Exactly BYD...anyway, id give him a lot more credibility than most "Joe Schmo" bloggers or message board jockeys who claim "inside" information or having a "source close to" (insert school name here)

[Purple Haize]

Another point to BYD! I'm coming for you SJ.

The first point doesn't count because he is sourcing material from another board.
The second point was a solid.

[Purple Haize]

Source doesn't matter. He is referencing me, and agreeing with me.

But we don't know what, if anything you said on that board. He may have been 'fake' agreeing. Plus, points are redeemable only at Flamefans retailers so any credit given on a non FF board is not legal tender. Think of it as a Canadian quarter

[BJWilliams]

If I had a computer id copy and paste the points in question over there with links but my hard drive crashed a couple weeks ago so I can only use my phone. that said, I wouldnt count those points in his favor anyway. thats like some of the questionable Sly Fox encounters

[Sly Fox]

I'm confused. Did I just score a point?

And what do you mean by "questionable"?

[JakeP50]

If the announcement does come at commencement, they'll probably know by the end of the week but JR won't tell anyone outside of JB and maybe the coaches, and they'll all be sworn to secrecy. And knowing Liberty they'll make the announcement a big deal.

[Purple Haize]

If I had a computer id copy and paste the points in question over there with links but my hard drive crashed a couple weeks ago so I can only use my phone. that said, I wouldnt count those points in his favor anyway. thats like some of the questionable Sly Fox encounters

You do realize its possible to copy and paste on an iPhone, right?

As for SLY's questionable encounters, what he does on business trips is his own business.

[flameshaw]

I seriously doubt they announce at graduation. I don't think the deal will be done by then.

Agree.

[BJWilliams]

Yes...of course I dont have an iPhone...Samsung actually. anyway this isnt a cellphone discussion...graduation probaby is the best time to do it since we will have our largest audience in town and watching on tv

[BCXtreme]

Yes...of course I dont have an iPhone...Samsung actually. anyway this isnt a cellphone discussion...graduation probaby is the best time to do it since we will have our largest audience in town and watching on tv

All else being equal, most certainly. Almost exactly two years since the initial decision to pursue FBS affiliation. It would be a nice touch. But it does require the Sun Belt to be committed by that time. If Liberty really was the only option left, it might not be an issue. But with UMass allegedly on the table, I could easily see the SBC presidents dragging out the decision until the May 18-21 meetings. Based on the last couple weeks of rumors, I expect an NMSU all-sports invite will be in the mix either way, as a quid pro quo deal between East and West.