[LUGrad2000]

I imagine that as a result of this: the ACC will invite UConn, West Virginia, Louisville, and Pitt?

Does the Big East disolve or do they raid what is left of the Big 12?

What happens to Texas and Oklahoma? Big 10?


Does this open up possibilities for Liberty is my real question? Who would take us?

I know someone will refer me to a previous thread, but I think this SEC thing will really change the FBS--ie Bye Bye BCS.

Just thoughts...

[Sly Fox]

I have changed the title of the thread in order to make it appropriate for the LU Football Forum. Frankly I prefer the idea of us discussing this in the existing thread in the General Sports forum. But we'll give this a go as long as it stays focused on potential impact on LU. All the rest of the realignment talk on the national side should remain here.

Yes, this could ultimately begin dropping dominoes that could reach us. Frankly based on the timing I wonder how long it will take to have an impact. We have become accustomed to this discussion coming in late Spring & Early Summer. But this move just before the start of the school year means there really isn't much time for the dominoes to start falling. The much discussed ACC raiding would have to occur by August 15th based on league rules to occur in time for the 2012 season. So after Monday, there won't be a real sense of urgency.

Frankly I don't believe the 16-team Super Conference concept means the end of the BCS. If anything it gives it credibility as essentially the regular season become much more important in those leagues. Essentially the playoff would become winning your conference division followed by a league championship game before the BCS kicks in. Everyone in one of the super conferences would essentially have the ability to play its way to the title game. Of course non-BCS schools would be even further on the outside looking in. The BCS big guns want the super conference concept to stick.

I'm not sure the death of the Big XII is at hand. As long as UT remains in the fold, they'll have options. If the Horns & Sooners bolt to the Pac-12(!?!) or B1G then all bets are off. But holding one of the six BCS bids has real value. The idea of Notre Dame joining league with Texas has been discussed on here by yours truly for a couple of years now. I believe today that is much more likely than in the past.

Liberty would need the dominoes to trickle down from the SEC/Big XII to the ACC/Big East before C-USA begins their fight for survival that could ultimate land LU an invitation or open the door for a new FBS league to emerge (to avoid NCAA antitrust concerns). We have positioned ourselves nicely to be in the discussion. And frankly the timing couldn't be better as leagues will be more interested in our growing size and national potential than our polarizing past. In other words, money talks much more today than ideology.

[01LUGrad]

And frankly the timing couldn't be better as leagues will be more interested in our growing size and national potential than our polarizing past. In other words, money talks much more today than ideology.

I really hope this ends up being true. I guess all we need is one big conference to accept us, not all of them!

[jbock13]

Breaking News: Liberty to join SEC.

Oh, and the BCS isn't going anywhere until all the corporate money dries up that supports it. The NCAA knows it's a cash cow for them.

[Cider Jim]

For those of you who don't know, if you count the LUO students, Liberty University is the 8th largest college in the country (seriously).

[logic]

We certainly have the money to make such a move and we're adding facilities in other sports to be competitive in a lower FBS conference. The next 5 years should be pretty increible when the dust from realignment and our campus renovation settles. Now if only our students would stay for a whole game and not root for Tech first we'll be ok. I'm going to get to the point where I start calling people out no matter who they are and how many of their family members went to UVA and I'll have no remorse about doing so.

Some on here have voiced concerns about travel costs with joining Conference USA...to that I say if Marshall can do it...well nothing against Marshall but..

[Sly Fox]

Countdown to CJ rushing to his besmirched alma mater's defense in 3 ... 2 ... 1 ...

[Cider Jim]

Some on here have voiced concerns about travel costs with joining Conference USA...to that I say if Marshall can do it...well nothing against Marshall but..

Many Herd fans and alumni, myself included, think that joining Conference USA was the 2nd worse thing ever to happen in Huntington (with the 1970 plane crash being #1).

Marshall should have NEVER left the MAC.

And as to traveling costs, Marshall is a STATE school, with lots of tax dollars for funding. Also, MU was founded in 1837 vs. LU in 1971 (1978 on its present campus). So to compare Marshall and LU is like comparing apples and oranges.

[Sly Fox]

But it wouldn't surprise me in the least if both schools landed in the same league once realignment shakes out over the next couple of years.

[jbock13]

Some on here have voiced concerns about travel costs with joining Conference USA...to that I say if Marshall can do it...well nothing against Marshall but..

Many Herd fans and alumni, myself included, think that joining Conference USA was the 2nd worse thing ever to happen in Huntington (with the 1970 plane crash being #1).

Marshall should have NEVER left the MAC.

And as to traveling costs, Marshall is a STATE school, with lots of tax dollars for funding. Also, MU was founded in 1837 vs. LU in 1971 (1978 on its present campus). So to compare Marshall and LU is like comparing apples and oranges.

I agree with you here Cider. Marshall joined a conference that has no geographical relationship to them. It's sad to see. I loved seeing them play in those classic MAC rivalries on weekday, cold November nights.

[Sly Fox]

Was Marshall even in the MAC long enough to develop rivalries? It was like a blink of the eye.



It is tough to project much of anything for the Flames until we see if the ACC is raided.

[rogers3]

Was Marshall even in the MAC long enough to develop rivalries? It was like a blink of the eye.

Come on Sly, any old-timer knows that Marshall was in the MAC from '54 to '69. Didn't CJ graduate sometime in there?

[Sly Fox]

I'll be honest and admit I didn't recall Marshall's 1st foray in the MAC. And I have to guess that CJ will be insulted that he might be considered old enough to fall in that range.

I was referring to their post-SoCon run when they stepped up to I-A status from their I-AA success.

[Cider Jim]

Sly, Marshall's second tour of duty in the MAC lasted 8 years (19970-2005), and they were bowl bound almost every year. Rogers, I know you're kidding, but I was only in Huntington from 1983-85, which were the I-AA Southern Conference years.

[jbock13]

Was Marshall even in the MAC long enough to develop rivalries? It was like a blink of the eye.

yes. Marshall and Miami (OH).

[rogers3]

I'll be honest and admit I didn't recall Marshall's 1st foray in the MAC. And I have to guess that CJ will be insulted that he might be considered old enough to fall in that range.

I was referring to their post-SoCon run when they stepped up to I-A status from their I-AA success.

I didn't either (Wiki), and CJ knows I'm kidding! The MAC is a nice regional conference- made travel easier- surely easier than the Sou. Conf. days.

[logic]

With no disrespect...just logic and facts.

1. A state school in West Virginia and tax dollars should never be used in the same sentence, unless taking about the lackthereof. http://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/x30 ... in-tuition

2. Liberty's total athletic budget for all sports was more than Marshall's back in 2009 - I am sure it is still higher now. http://www.bbstate.com/info/schools-budget

3. Marshall's total budget of 105 million is not even half of Liberty's 321 million of expenses in 2008.

4. Marshall has 13,700 kids, Liberty right around the same.

5. Our basketball arenas seat about the same

6. Football (with 38k seats) has us beat obviously but we'll be much closer when we get to 30,000.

7. The year the school was founded leads to more regional and family fan support but we're catching up quickly and we have national appeal.


When looking at it from that aspect I would argue that Liberty and Marshall are on the same level - i would argue we're actually the "bigger" school even though they play FBS football. I also still stand by my previous statement - if Marshall can travel on 22 million we can certainly travel on 26 million when using 2009 numbers, and not having our hands tied by a state government is favoring us right now tremendously. Let's hope the well does not go dry!!