[From the class of 09]

So if the Big 10 goes really big (like 16 teams big) do you think that this could have a trickle down effect to touch even LU? I mean assume the Big 10 steals at least three teams from the Big East they in turn have to fill those spots if they remain a football conference. They most likely go to Conf. USA who in turn needs to replace teams. Eventually leaving open spots in something like the Southern Conference, that LU might fill.

Would you think this could happen or am I overlooking something? Would the Southern Conference be enough of an upgrade to consider once they are robbed of their top teams?

[thepostman]

So if the Big 10 goes really big (like 16 teams big) do you think that this could have a trickle down effect to touch even LU? I mean assume the Big 10 steals at least three teams from the Big East they in turn have to fill those spots if they remain a football conference. They most likely go to Conf. USA who in turn needs to replace teams. Eventually leaving open spots in something like the Southern Conference, that LU might fill.

Would you think this could happen or am I overlooking something? Would the Southern Conference be enough of an upgrade to consider once they are robbed of their top teams?

its been asked before and the answer remains...we are not ready for that...not even close

[LUconn]

I think it'll just start a whole new round of conference realignment which of course affects the Big South and hopefully LU. If they went to 16, which seems crazy to me given how crazy the BE basketball schedule is, would other conferences try to match? If they did, that would basically make the leftovers from the 2nd tier conferences band together into a couple of fairly worthless FBS conferences. We could get in on that, but what is the future in that? Who knows. Maybe those programs lose a ton of money and have to drop/downgrade. Maybe they develop into conferences with a bid.

[jcmanson]

So if the Big 10 goes really big (like 16 teams big) do you think that this could have a trickle down effect to touch even LU? I mean assume the Big 10 steals at least three teams from the Big East they in turn have to fill those spots if they remain a football conference. They most likely go to Conf. USA who in turn needs to replace teams. Eventually leaving open spots in something like the Southern Conference, that LU might fill.

Would you think this could happen or am I overlooking something? Would the Southern Conference be enough of an upgrade to consider once they are robbed of their top teams?

its been asked before and the answer remains...we are not ready for that...not even close

He’s talking about jumping to the Socon. We are more than ready for that.

[From the class of 09]

its been asked before and the answer remains...we are not ready for that...not even close

He’s talking about jumping to the Socon. We are more than ready for that.

[LUconn]

Would we want to be in the Socon? I know it's better than the Big South but for me it's CAA or just stay put until we have the attendance (and conference) to make the jump.

[SuperJon]

Would we want to be in the Socon? I know it's better than the Big South but for me it's CAA or just stay put until we have the attendance (and conference) to make the jump.

I'd love the SoCon. It's better in most sports and has better name recognition.

[jcmanson]

Would we want to be in the Socon? I know it's better than the Big South but for me it's CAA or just stay put until we have the attendance (and conference) to make the jump.

I'm fine with the Socon. Obviously I'd rather be in the CAA, but as SJ said the Socon is better in most sports and has a much better name recognition.

[ALUmnus]

What would the Pac10 have to offer Texas that they don't already have? The Big10 can offer them tons of TV revenue, the Pac10 doesn't have that.

[LUconn]

I think it's just a matter of which Big 12 team flinches first. I'm not sure why but it seems like it is a candidate for being taken from, and you don't want to be one of the 10 or 11 teams that didn't get taken.

[SumItUp]

I understand that the Southern Conference is better than the Big South, but I'm not convinced it would benefit Liberty. The time and travel costs would be increased considerably. What is the upside? LU would be better served continuing to invest in scholarships and facilities and wait for the right opportunity to gain entry into a FBS conference. The CAA is the only FCS conference that makes sense competitively and geographically.

[Sly Fox]

The SoCon has much greater name recognition? Perhaps in the Carolinas. Otherwise no one has heard of either. The CAA has some national respect. I will be disappointed if we found ourselves in the SoCon ten years from now.

As for Pac 10, they would need a TV deal to even think of attracting UT/A&M. But keep in mind, much like Notre Dame there are no money issues with the Horns or Aggies (although the other Texas publics continue to battle in court system to change that advantage). Frankly I don't see Texas heading anywhere but they are enjoying being chased. Of course, if the Big Ten snatches 1 or 2 northern schools from Big XII, then it could get real interesting with what Arkansas & LSU would prefer. Again this is all ridiculously hypothetical ... but fun nonetheless.

[From the class of 09]

Would we want to be in the Socon? I know it's better than the Big South but for me it's CAA or just stay put until we have the attendance (and conference) to make the jump.

I would take either and not complain. Obviously it would depend on what happens with the bigger guys on what could possibly open up. But I think LU would be crazy to decline either invite. You don’t build a football stadium 3x as big as anyone else in your conference (when it's done in 5 years)to stay put

(VMI is the closest at 10k capacity: http://www.championshipsubdivision.com/ ... onference/)

[JK37]

The time and travel costs would be increased considerably..

Besides this fact being debatable (the SoCon is a bus league, just like the Big South), this isn't a real concern for LU's athletic administrators.

The CAA is the only FCS conference that makes sense competitively and geographically.

And because the financial aspect of a move to the SoCon is of little concern, the geographic concerns are more on the part of the SoCon (do they want to branch North?) For the same reasons as were considered when they invited Samford 2 years ago.

And competitively, there's simply little to no comparison overall.

[thepostman]

Personally if we move to another conference I am not sure SoCon would be the one I would want to go to...but then again its still a step up from the big south, especially in the money sports....

[From the class of 09]

Personally if we move to another conference I am not sure SoCon would be the one I would want to go to...

Where else would you want to go? The CAA and SoCon seem to be the only legitimate options in the short term.

[JK37]

Notre Dame is out, but Big 10 expansion of 3 or 5 teams is well within realm of possibility:

http://www.boston.com/sports/colleges/e ... e_not.html

[LUconn]

The Big East has hired Paul Tagliabue to advise them with their strategy.

[From the class of 09]

Mike Slive, the SEC commissioner gave the following quote concerning the SEC part of Big 10 explanation:

"If there is going to be a significant shift in the conference paradigm, the SEC will be strategic and thoughtful to make sure it maintains its position as one of the nation's pre-eminent conferences,"
http://www.nebraska.tv/Global/story.asp?S=12354079

It looks like the SEC will be looking to add teams in order to keep up with the Big 10. If both conferences really move to 16 teams you can kiss the Big East and the Big 12 as we know them good bye.

[ALUmnus]

As a huge Big East basketball fan, I'm not looking forward to any of this.

[LUconn]

I think it's safe to say that college football will ruin college basketball no matter which conference you pull for. I think the Big East and the ACC are not going to handle this well.

[JK37]

Here is more perspective on the subject:

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/colle ... _east.html

Summary: The Big 10 is highly (financially) motivated to make a move to 12, 14, or 16 teams. But, they may find that simply getting into the East Coast market doesn't necessarily turn those TV's on to their product.

[JK37]

Another interesting, that of new Big East consultant Paul Tagliabue:

http://thequad.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/0 ... r-big-ten/

Is he really saying that Congress would get involved in this, a la the baseball steroid issue?! Have to say, I didn't see that possibility coming...

[JK37]

Three straight posts in a thread- albeit over many days. I guess I'm the only one interested in this anymore, haha.

This article discussing the expansion even connects to Stony Brook!
http://dailymail.com/Sports/WVUSports/2 ... uild=cache

[ATrain]

Three straight posts in a thread- albeit over many days. I guess I'm the only one interested in this anymore, haha.

This article discussing the expansion even connects to Stony Brook!
http://dailymail.com/Sports/WVUSports/2 ... uild=cache

Where's the connection to Stony Brook????