[LUDad]

It is, indeed, an honor to be addressed by the Purple Haize. I seem to vaguely remember a song resembling your name from my high school years.

As Potentate of I like to get out and talk to the Common Folk from time to time

Early prediction is we miss the play offs

I do hope the prevailing winds change. After the last two weeks, I might go off the deep end if football doesn't end well. If not, my wife might nudge me off...

[phoenix]

My fondest wish is for LU athletics to be able to turn down the Sun Belt if/when they offer us a place. "Sorry, folks - we don't need you anymore. We're headed to {insert name of conference here}."

[rmiller1959]

Right now, it seems that two things are working in our favor. Conference championship game deregulation is in gridlock. Unless something dramatically changes, the 12 team requirement is not going to be eliminated. Second, UAB will be dropping football for good barring a miracle.

Everyone's been talking about deregulation as if it's a done deal. Do you have some intell suggesting otherwise? I'd love it if that were the case!

[bluejacket]

The Big XII said that they are not going to have a championship game, even though it was clearly and repeatedly explained to the conference that their candidates for CFP berths will be at a disadvantage by not having one. (http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootbal ... ioner-says and http://blog.mysanantonio.com/big12/2015 ... champions/).

Jim Delany's position on deregulation: (http://thegazette.com/subject/sports/b1 ... n-20150520):

I would be open to that discussion, but I would like to have an idea of what the alternatives under consideration are for deregulation,” Delany said Wednesday at the Big Ten’s annual spring meetings. “Because in certain circumstances, I could easily say, ‘Yeah, that makes a lot of sense to me.’ But I also think that if you want deregulation because all of us have structured, some of us — not us — have expanded to suit that model, I’m open to it. But I’d like to know a little bit more about what the plans are for it because I could conceive of structures that come out of total deregulation that might not be positive."

I could not find anything specific about deregulation from Swofford and the ACC. However, Swofford did emphasize that the College Football Playoff is unlikely to expand soon. (http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/sport ... tba/nmGkD/).

Though he said he would like to see it happen, ACC commissioner John Swofford said Thursday that he does not believe the CPF will expand from four teams to eight any time soon.

ESPN’s deal to broadcast the College Football Playoff bowls — reached in 2012 for a reported $5.64 billion — does not expire for another 11 years. Speaking at the close of the ACC’s spring meetings, Swofford said he believes no changes will come until then.

The PAC-12 meetings did not mention anything about conference deregulation. SEC meetings are next week.

[ATrain]

It is, indeed, an honor to be addressed by the Purple Haize. I seem to vaguely remember a song resembling your name from my high school years.

As Potentate of I like to get out and talk to the Common Folk from time to time

Early prediction is we miss the play offs

I'm assuming its b/c we'll lose to WVU, Montana and Georgia Southern, right?

[Purple Haize]

It is, indeed, an honor to be addressed by the Purple Haize. I seem to vaguely remember a song resembling your name from my high school years.

As Potentate of I like to get out and talk to the Common Folk from time to time

Early prediction is we miss the play offs

I'm assuming its b/c we'll lose to WVU, Montana and Georgia Southern, right?

No. Because our defense, in my mind, is suspect.

[rmiller1959]

The Big XII said that they are not going to have a championship game, even though it was clearly and repeatedly explained to the conference that their candidates for CFP berths will be at a disadvantage by not having one.

Jim Delany's position on deregulation:

I would be open to that discussion, but I would like to have an idea of what the alternatives under consideration are for deregulation,” Delany said Wednesday at the Big Ten’s annual spring meetings. “Because in certain circumstances, I could easily say, ‘Yeah, that makes a lot of sense to me.’ But I also think that if you want deregulation because all of us have structured, some of us — not us — have expanded to suit that model, I’m open to it. But I’d like to know a little bit more about what the plans are for it because I could conceive of structures that come out of total deregulation that might not be positive."

I could not find anything specific about deregulation from Swofford and the ACC. However, Swofford did emphasize that the College Football Playoff is unlikely to expand soon.

Though he said he would like to see it happen, ACC commissioner John Swofford said Thursday that he does not believe the CPF will expand from four teams to eight any time soon.

ESPN’s deal to broadcast the College Football Playoff bowls — reached in 2012 for a reported $5.64 billion — does not expire for another 11 years. Speaking at the close of the ACC’s spring meetings, Swofford said he believes no changes will come until then.

The PAC-12 meetings did not mention anything about conference deregulation. SEC meetings are next week.

Excellent overview - thanks!

[VAGolf]

I think and hope the playoff doesn't expand for at least 20 years. 4 teams is absolutely perfect.

The Big12 (Texas) needs to get over themselves, UT is absolutely crippling that conference. Such a shame.

[Sly Fox]

Haters gonna hate.

[alabama24]

Not hate. Mostly pity. lol

[CinciFlame]

It appears Coastal has now passed us up in the pecking order in the SB. The AD for Ark State gave an interview yesterday and discussed several candidates for a 12th member. It appears Liberty wasn't even discussed. Missouri St, EKU and of all schools, Coastal was discussed. It appears Coastal and EKU both presented a sales pitch to the SB.

[ATrain]

Well the Sunbelt has made it clear they don't want us...so is this really surprising?

The question is, can Coastal actually pull off a move to FBS?

[TH Spangler]

Well SC only has 2 FBS programs, Coastal would make it 3. NC has 5 public and 2 private.

Since privates are no longer welcome to join FBS where else can they look? If something changes I would like to see JMU and Liberty go somewhere together. The rivalry game would pack the house every time.

[CinciFlame]

The fact the SB doesn't want us is no surprise, but this is the first time I've ever read that Coastal wants to go FBS.

[Yacht Rock]

Yeah based on the Sun Belt's attitude toward us, they can take Coastal. Patience is a virtue and I feel good that there will be some additional movement as teams realize they struggle to provide full cost of attendance, etc.

[VAGolf]

Well SC only has 2 FBS programs, Coastal would make it 3. NC has 5 public and 2 private.

Since privates are no longer welcome to join FBS where else can they look? If something changes I would like to see JMU and Liberty go somewhere together. The rivalry game would pack the house every time.

JMU isn't going any where with us.

I don't buy the Coastal thing either. I believe they receive the smallest amount of funding from the state out of the major SC public schools. The fact that absolutely no one is discussing us going to the SBC, may actually mean there is something in the works and everyone is keeping quiet. Sometimes there is silence before the storm.

[LUGrad2000]

If I remember correctly, that is how it was just before App and Southern were added.

[CinciFlame]

Neither EKU nor CC can afford COA.

[alabama24]

If I remember correctly, that is how it was just before App and Southern were added.

Can you connect the dots? I don't follow. You think two teams are going to be added? Which ones?

[alabama24]

Neither EKU nor CC can afford COA.

I have no idea who can afford what, but the $2 mil entry fee is going to be interesting.

[LUGrad2000]

Well SC only has 2 FBS programs, Coastal would make it 3. NC has 5 public and 2 private.

Since privates are no longer welcome to join FBS where else can they look? If something changes I would like to see JMU and Liberty go somewhere together. The rivalry game would pack the house every time.

JMU isn't going any where with us.

I don't buy the Coastal thing either. I believe they receive the smallest amount of funding from the state out of the major SC public schools. The fact that absolutely no one is discussing us going to the SBC, may actually mean there is something in the works and everyone is keeping quiet. Sometimes there is silence before the storm.

IF they were wanting to be proactive and get to twelve: invite two(insert schools here), and that would bring them to 13. However, will they keep Idaho? New Mexico? If they do not renew those contracts, which end after 2017, they would only have 11. Do they keep one of the two? Of course the pending conference game decision by the NCAA could negate the need for 12, so who knows? My wishful thinking is that they are quiet about Liberty until it is voted on and officially announced, much like it was with Southern and App. I must say that if Coastal was invited before us that would be a tremendous blow to take ( nothing against Coastal), but would really make our SB chances seem to be two. Slim and None.

[alabama24]

It would be great to have both Liberty and Coastal. At least we would have one rivalry to continue.

[BJWilliams]

They are really grasping at straws trying to keep "those durn Christians" out of their conference.

[01LUGrad]

We're approaching 200 pages here and we are in the same spot we started.
That's kind of depressing.

[TH Spangler]

Rumors ..... about tomorrow's UAB announcement are not positive .... for them.

@Tonethebone37: @Darth_Tide I'm hearing there's been an "internal struggle" with the UAB situation all weekend-70 out 30 in @openingdrive

Apparently his "source" is saying the weekend wasn't kind to UAB Football. Apparently an internal struggle has occurred and its 70-30 against a return. I'm guessing the 70-30 is the BOT.