[RVAparks]

Nothing too new, but an update nonetheless for any interested:

The Big East is on the verge of completing expansion plans that will see Boise State and San Diego State added for football only and SMU, Central Florida and Houston joining as all-sports members, possibly by the end of this week, according to two leading college officials.

http://www.nj.com/rutgersfootball/index ... addin.html

[TH Spangler]

Okay Sly/Manson what does this mean for us?

Under those plans, Boise State, San Diego State, Houston, SMU, Air Force and, possibly, Louisville would form the West Division. Rutgers, Connecticut, Cincinnati, South Florida, UCF and Navy would comprise the East.

I think Connecticut will end up in the ACC???

[jcmanson]

Okay Sly/Manson what does this mean for us?

Under those plans, Boise State, San Diego State, Houston, SMU, Air Force and, possibly, Louisville would form the West Division. Rutgers, Connecticut, Cincinnati, South Florida, UCF and Navy would comprise the East.

I think Connecticut will end up in the ACC???

We need continued chaos. This is good, if it goes down. I'm waiting for something more official though.

[Sly Fox]

This is exactly what we have been speculating would happen for the past couple of months. The Air Force/Navy aspect really isn't that important to us. The other schools begin knocking over the dominoes toward us. Speculation from my UH friends is that the announcement goes down tomorrow.

[Purple Haize]

This is exactly what we have been speculating would happen for the past couple of months. The Air Force/Navy aspect really isn't that important to us. The other schools begin knocking over the dominoes toward us. Speculation from my UH friends is that the announcement goes down tomorrow.

Cue Annie soundtrack

[bluedevilflame]

This opens a big door into FBS for a lot of teams including ourselves. Say CUSA looks at adding a team like App St (natural rival for ECU) and maybe poaching the Sun Belt as well as a few other FCS teams ready to move (possibly us, JMU, Richmond,Delaware etc.). This would also open spaces up in the Sun Belt which may look at schools like us to spread its geographic footprint north if CUSA doesn't offer us first. Worst case scenario, this could get us out of the Big South and into a CAA or (long shot) SOCON. Although I love FCS purely for the playoffs, this is our best chance to make a move, let's hope the athletic office is on the phone with some conference officials.

[Sly Fox]

They have been more than just on the phone with FBS leagues. We have a stated goal and we are pursuing it heartily.

[bluedevilflame]

They have been more than just on the phone with FBS leagues. We have a stated goal and we are pursuing it heartily.

I hope so because it is time to pull the trigger, the pieces are starting to fall in our favor

[D-ZasterLU]

What are thoughts in light of Rocco?

And what is the likelihood of now ending up in a conference with Richmond? Or above Richmond?

[Sly Fox]

We're not landing in a conference with Richmond. This coaching change has no impact on that direction.

It would certainly help us to have a new coach in place in order to show stability to potential leagues. That's why I expect a quick search.

[ATrain]

Richmond will not be going FBS at any point in the near future or the next decade for that matter.

[R i]

So with the Big East announcemt being pretty official. And the rumbling of the CUSA and MAC merging. Does that help or hurt our chances at FBS? I would think it hurts. Its one less conference looking to fill spots.

[bradyfan]

I thought discussions of a merger with the C-USA/MWC or MAC had discontinued?

[Sly Fox]

The discussions of a Sunbelt-WAC merger appear to have subsided with the WAC getting non-football stability. But the CUSA-MWC merger or alignment continue to be on the table.

Bottom line, we really need the CUSA to expand to help us in any meaningful way directly on indirectly.

[bradyfan]

This may be a bit far-fetched, but are you aware of any talks about teams forming a new FBS conference?

[Sly Fox]

It is very far-fetched. Essentially it is not a viable option due to waiting period for eligibility of new league members. That is why even a rundown WAC still has some appeal because it has FBS conference status.

[Blessed1]

No, the talks of a Conf USA/MWC merger have not ceased. They've been talking about this for the past 2-3 years. The only pause was with the Big East. One plan included Big East teams, but they (the BE) eventually declined since the plan involved placing their AQ bid on the line.

So, where does this leave Liberty? I don't know, but I don't think it works in our favor. To me, the Sun Belt doesn't seem too interested in expanding with a rack of FCS schools. If this is true, then where does Liberty fall in preferred pecking order between the likes of Appalachian St., Georgia St., UNC-Charlotte, and with Virginia schools like James Madison and Old Dominion?

I would prefer that Liberty gets into the FBS before other Virginia schools. Too many schools in one state saturates the market. Truthfully speaking, a saturated Virginia market is keeping us out of the CAA right now.

My wish is that we can merge with App St. and some CAA schools to form a new FBS conference. I don't think that idea would fly since the NCAA want future FCS schools to have a standing offer to join a FBS conference. If we can't get a group of schools to come up with us, then maybe we could partner up with another school and try to work together.

[Sly Fox]

A year ago, the Sunbelt commish was saying that his league would never look down to FCS ranks in expansion. The past couple of weeks, he has reportedly been at several FCS schools inquiring about interest. The times are changing quickly.

I would anticipate if we are moving up then Appalachian State, JMU & ODU would be as well.

[flamesfilmguy]

, the Sun Belt doesn't seem too interested in expanding with a rack of FCS schools. If this is true, then where does Liberty fall in preferred pecking order between the likes of Appalachian St., Georgia St., UNC-Charlotte, and with Virginia schools like James Madison and Old Dominion?

The sun Belt is shopping. Trust me. They are just being very quiet about it. as for the App state GSU, UNCC order I can guarantee at least one if not two of those schools is in the CUSA by christmas.

[Sly Fox]

It was in the San Antonio media last week that both the C-USA & Sunbelt were in contact with UTSA. Make no assumptions about much of anything below the BCS conferences from this point forward.

[Blessed1]

A year ago, the Sunbelt commish was saying that his league would never look down to FCS ranks in expansion. The past couple of weeks, he has reportedly been at several FCS schools inquiring about interest. The times are changing quickly.

I would anticipate if we are moving up then Appalachian State, JMU & ODU would be as well.

This definitely works in our favor! I just want the best for my alma mater. It seems like we keep getting the short end of the stick as a potential conference mate.

[Blessed1]

, the Sun Belt doesn't seem too interested in expanding with a rack of FCS schools. If this is true, then where does Liberty fall in preferred pecking order between the likes of Appalachian St., Georgia St., UNC-Charlotte, and with Virginia schools like James Madison and Old Dominion?

The sun Belt is shopping. Trust me. They are just being very quiet about it. as for the App state GSU, UNCC order I can guarantee at least one if not two of those schools is in the CUSA by christmas.

I'll take your word for it, flamesfilmguy. I'm just glad that Liberty's name is out there!

[logic]

The suspense is killing me. I would love to hear something soon. Any thoughts Sly?

[Schfourteenteen]

I know the CUSA has been thrown around for a while, but....

If they are looking to add a few more teams, would they want to add more than one in VA? Where would we rank in the pecking order with ODU and JMU?

[Purple Haize]

I know the CUSA has been thrown around for a while, but....

If they are looking to add a few more teams, would they want to add more than one in VA? Where would we rank in the pecking order with ODU and JMU?

Bronze? Show? 2nd runner up?