[ToTheLeft]

http://www.anygivensaturday.com/forum/s ... hp?t=52773

Looks like we need a new opponent for next year.

[Fumblerooskies]

Calling WV Tech...West Liberty College...North Greenville...

[Sly Fox]

I am sure we have been on this for some time now. Hopefully we find a low tier FBS school to fill the gap ... preferably in Texas or Louisiana.

[Chris Lang]

I asked Barber about it before the Presby game and he said that they were already scouting for potential opponents. They were aware of the potential for Iona to fold.

[SuperJon]

One legit option: ODU. We'd likely have to go there though. I doubt our administration would want to do that. The dates line up though.

[01LUGrad]

I ODU has 7 home and 4 away games next year. They were supposed to be going to Iona to play on November 14. Our date with Iona was set for October 3, which is their idle week, so it would be a good fit. It seems that they should go somewhere to play on the road, but I know it doesn't always work that way.

http://hamptonroads.com/2008/11/odu-foo ... rops-sport

[ToTheLeft]

ODU would be a non-counter in terms of playoff eligibility tho, correct?

[Iwasneverhere]

ODU would be a non-counter in terms of playoff eligibility tho, correct?

Correct. it would not count towards 7 DI wins but it does look a heck of a lot better than a DII school

[01LUGrad]

Ooo. Non-counter. I didn't realize that. Sorry, Monarchs. Not this year.

(As much as I would love to talk smack with all of the ODU grads I work with...)

[Iwasneverhere]

The good thing is our open date is the week after our original game with Iona. that leaves us with two weeks in a row to work with another team to get a date with a DI team.

[Iwasneverhere]

Ooo. Non-counter. I didn't realize that. Sorry, Monarchs. Not this year.

(As much as I would love to talk smack with all of the ODU grads I work with...)

Honestly next years schedule is not condusive to a playoff season unless we come up with one or two upsets between Laffy,JMU and WVU we won't have any quality wins and we'll be 8-3 barring any presby mishaps. that won't get us in. so I mean ODU is in state and why not start a decent in state rivalry?

[SuperJon]

I want the opinions of everyone on here, just to see which route you would go.

Next year's team will be very young. We will likely be starting freshmen or sophomores at the WR, C, RB, CB, and LB positions. We will likely only have four, maybe five senior starters. We will be young, but we will be coming off of two conference championships. We already have three very tough games at West Virginia, home vs James Madison, and at Lafayette. Add to that away conference games at GWU, CSU, and SB. The other home games are Coastal, PC, VMI, and Savannah St.

With all of this in mind, what type of team would you go after? Would you go after a cupcake Division I team (non-scholarship, transitional such as NC A&T or WSSU, or crappy FCS such as NC A&T)? Would you try schedule another tough game (mid to upper SoCon, CAA)? Would you try to get someone middle of the pack (good OVC, decent SoCon, CAA, upper MEAC)? Would you go after a home game or an away game? Would it matter?

This could be a really fun discussion to see where different people would take this if they were in charge.

[Iwasneverhere]

I would want a mid level SoCon say maybe The Citadel? or possibly a Decent OVC or MEAC like Tennessee State, or Hampton. out of those three I'd go after Citadel, Then Hampton(in state anyone?) then a MEAC like SC State

[ToTheLeft]

I would love to go out on a limb with this. For me, I think a perfect game would be to bring in a top level FCS team if we can, or make a trip to a high level FCS team. I think the young guys need to be thrown into the fire a little, to build up some invaluable experience. I know most teams already have schedules made up, but to somehow bring in a team like NIU, or SIU, or Furman or Wofford. A good team from a good conference that proves that we aren't afraid to play good teams, and prove that we can hang, or win. Ideally I would want to play this game at home, but I wouldn't be opposed to going on the road. Playing against a bunch of low level teams will keep us on that level. We need to start proving ourself in the ring, rather than standing on the outside and hoping someone comes near us so we can knock them out.

So let's load up the bus and go to Iowa or South Carolina and play a respectable team.

[Chris Lang]

Jon said Savannah State but he meant NC Central. Six in one, half dozen in the other ...

[SuperJon]

Yeah, my bad. I don't know why I thought Savannah St.

[Chris Lang]

I think Liberty should schedule Hawaii in Iona's place.

[BJWilliams]

Id say go after a mid-level team in the SoCon (like a Furman or Citadel) or CAA. Those are the top 2 conferences in FCS right now and a win over one of those two coupled with an upset or two in the first third of the season along with another run through the conference would definitely look good to the selection committee. Heck Id like to have another crack at William and Mary.

[ToTheLeft]

I think Liberty should schedule Hawaii in Iona's place.

That just wouldn't be fair. If that happens, I am going to find a way to get hired by the football team and be on the plane... I don't know how, but I would do it.

[SuperJon]

I wouldn't even be on that plane.

[jcmanson]

We now have 5 scheduled home games and 5 away. I’m sure the administration will be sure to get another home game. The unfortunate part of that is it will probably be a D2.

[Chris Lang]

not necessarily, manson. FCS schedules aren't typically done as far in advance as FBS schedules are, so there are probably still plenty of openings. This is the first year since I've been here that Liberty has had its slate done before February.

Remember too that teams like Bryant, North Dakota and South Dakota are all DI counters next season. After this year, I think Barber will do everything in his power to prevent a DII from popping up in Iona's spot.

[jcmanson]

I sure hope so.

[Sly Fox]

An intersectional home and home with the Southland or SWAC would be nice. Then again a CUSA (or Sunbelt) roadie toward the Southwest would be great as well for a little glue and a shot at an FBS victory.

[SuperJon]

Unless they're paying, it's highly doubtful we go anywhere that's longer than a bus trip.