[thepostman]

If this is what redbull does to you, you may want to slow it down..just sayin..

[jlread]

Ha your concern has been noted postman. Im just pumped, it feels like football season in the air!

[Sly Fox]

Sly -

This idea could be a complete long shot in terms of probability. However, what if we accepted an invite to the WAC, say tomorrow, but the conference never got to the 8 teams needed to remain an FBS conference, could we then become an independent? I know you can't just leap from FCS to FBS and be an independent, but this way we actually would have joined a conference then have no home. Don't judge my grammar on this, I'm watching my two year old brother as I'm typing.

Technically, that is correct based on my understanding. The only caveat being that for it to work I believe we would have to be come in as an all sports member. And since 2013 the WAC won't be sponsoring FBS football, there could be concerns of whether or not the invitation would technically be coming from an FBS league.

I also agree with BYD that FBS independence would be a real challenge for us to pull off. Without a conference to assist us, it would be VERY challeneging scheduling the required number of home games vs. FBS opponents. Just take a look at what Idaho & NM State are having to do right now to fill up their 2013 schedules. And they have the WAC using league money to help them pay guarantees to pull it off.

Of course, if the much speculated FBS moratorium is enacted then it would certainly be in our best interests to be in the fold before the door gets nailed shut again for up to ten years.

[bradyfan]

I do realize that being an independent would be a nightmare. However, I wouldn't think we would stay independent long term. I'm just thinking along the lines of making ourselves more attractive. WKU played one season as an independent before joining the Sun Belt. Now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure FIU and FAU did as well. TCU accepted an invite to the Big East and never played a game because the Big 12 wanted them. Boise State went to the Mountain West and then received an invite to the Big East. I think being an independent long term would be a complete mess but I think, short term, it could make us more attractive if the C-USA, Sun Belt or MAC want to expand 5 years down the road. Worst case scenario, we go independent for three years, it doesn't work out and we go back to playing FCS football probably in a better conference than what we're in now. You guys know if there would be any financial issues in doing that and if that's what keeps us from moving, fair enough. I guess I'm just getting a little antsy since we could be staring moratorium in the face for ten years.

[jlread]

How did Jerry Sr. Say it? Better to take action now and ask forgiveness later? LOL something to that nature..

[RVAparks]

Worst case scenario, we go independent for three years, it doesn't work out and we go back to playing FCS football probably in a better conference than what we're in now.

They aren't making these decisions with monopoly money.

[logic]

Worst case scenario, we go independent for three years, it doesn't work out and we go back to playing FCS football probably in a better conference than what we're in now.

They aren't making these decisions with monopoly money.

Yeah no offense brady, but there is no way whatsoever that is happening. If we go FBS any time soon we're staying FBS come hell or high water.

[Blessed1]

If this rumored alliance with the Big Sky doesn't come through, both schools are in deep trouble.

Mountain West Expansion: No Idaho, No Conference USA, No Nothin'
by Jason Kirk

MOUNT USA is dead. Or at least almost dead. The grand idea that was the merger between the Mountain West and Conference USA, thereby creating a single league of two dozen teams, "probably" is not going to happen, MWC commissioner Craig Thompson said during Mountain West Media Days on Wednesday.

It's just too complicated to make it work, Thompson said, and let's just imagine what would've happened if somebody had said the Louisiana Purchase was too complicated. This is America. It probably is really complicated, though. Combine that with the suspended scheduling deal between the Pac-12 and Big Ten, and it's clear everybody got just a little bit carried away with grand ideas during the last phase of realignment fever.

In further sadness, the conference prefers to sit tight at 10 teams for the time being, meaning:

Brian Murphy @murphsturph
Idaho and New Mexico State have been told they will not be members of the Mountain West. "Go on to Plan B"

That Plan B probably won't include the Sun Belt, and the WAC is basically dead, so just about the only option left is to drop down a level. Or try out independence, and it's hard to imagine that would go well.

http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/2 ... erence-usa

[Blessed1]

The Mountain West has its eyes on the state of Texas. In many ways this will not work in our favor. If Texas State goes to the MWC, I could see the Sun Belt reaching out to Lamar, New Mexico St, and even Sam Houston St before Liberty.

I mentioned earlier in this thread that we need for 2 eastern Sun Belt teams to leave before we get the chance to be considered. Why? I still see Liberty as an option after App St.

The commissioner (Craig Thompson) did indicate that the league might be interested in adding a Texas school or schools. He said the league visited with UT-San Antonio, which is joining Conference USA, and received material from Texas State. Conference USA member Texas-El Paso is also an intriguing candidate for the Mountain West.

"If, for whatever reason, they tire of traveling to Miami and Charlotte and Norfolk, Virginia, we would have conversations with them," Thompson said, referencing the locations of several new Conference USA members.

"I don't want to put any pressures or false hopes that we're having conversations with UTEP. We are not."

http://voices.idahostatesman.com/2012/0 ... tate_again

[bradyfan]

Worst case scenario, we go independent for three years, it doesn't work out and we go back to playing FCS football probably in a better conference than what we're in now.

They aren't making these decisions with monopoly money.

Yeah no offense brady, but there is no way whatsoever that is happening. If we go FBS any time soon we're staying FBS come hell or high water.

I get your point but I did say this concerning the financial part of the move:

You guys know if there would be any financial issues in doing that and if that's what keeps us from moving, fair enough. I guess I'm just getting a little antsy since we could be staring moratorium in the face for ten years.

I really think if we're going to have a shot at being an FBS program, we'll do whatever it takes to get there. Whether that's accepting a bid to the WAC, doing that then becoming and independent, making a temporary move to the CAA...etc. Really though, it feels like our chances of moving up are getting slimmer by the hour. I'm to the point where it would be great to move up but I would be fine with us in the CAA for 10 years.

[jimflamesfan]

At this point I'd be happy with the caa or SoCon for 10 years. (as long as appy and georgia Southern are still in the Southern and JMU and W&M are still in the caa).

But if we have to move fcs conferences, I hope it's an all sports move. That would help basketball.

[logic]

I can assure you there are no financial matters keeping us from moving up, we simply need an invite. Heck if we could have bought our way into a conference we would have done that a long time ago. 5 million dollar Sun Belt entrance fee? No problem.

CAA for ten years would derail our dreams for...well, ten years. That is 10 years of FBS growth we wouldn't be having. Of course Haize and the rest of the peanut gallery don't think we're ready for the next level, so I'm sure they would love to see us in the CAA for the foreseeable future. I will agree it is better than the Small South, but boy I would really love to see us playing on national TV on Thursday nights!!!!!

[Purple Haize]

Judging by recent performance on the fied I would say we are not ready to play competitively on the FBS football level. Going to the CAA would be a great way to upgrade our talent, be competitive and better position ourselves to move to FBS. Especially if several of those schools have the same ambition.

[jlread]

Turner gill didn't come to town to play in the colonial. 1 or 2 years may pass with something like that but I can't see him sticking around if we don't go FBS as soon as we can.

[Chris Lang]

That story featured the exact same quote that was posted earlier in the thread.

No FCS team can go FBS as an independent. You have to have a conference invite. WKU, FIU and FAU were all technically independent for a year but they had an invite to the Sun Belt for the next season. South Alabama is in the same boat this year, I believe.

Nothing to see here.

[jbock13]

Judging by recent performance on the fied I would say we are not ready to play competitively on the FBS football level. Going to the CAA would be a great way to upgrade our talent, be competitive and better position ourselves to move to FBS. Especially if several of those schools have the same ambition.

What?!?!?!? How dare you! Where is your vision

[thepostman]

I think we would do OK right away but we wouldn't compete at a high level.

I think the problem is people see that we have all the money in the world and think that we are just going to get the invite. We haven't yet and there are whispers of a moratorium which means we better can an invite very quickly if we want this to happen in the next couple of years. After that it would be another 10 year wait.

That is why I am not very optimistic. Things could change quickly, but nothing much is going on these days that indicates a move in the next couple of years.

[logic]

Turner gill didn't come to town to play in the colonial. 1 or 2 years may pass with something like that but I can't see him sticking around if we don't go FBS as soon as we can.

This. The clock is ticking!!

[jimflamesfan]

But what can Liberty do without an invite? It would be great if Conf. USA or the Sunbelt invited us, but until then if the CAA or Socon offers I think we'd be good to take it.

[ballah09]

Just met with WAC commissioner Jeff Hurd this evening. Will have an announcement in 2to 3 weeks on new football members.

He cannot name names, but expects to do so once school year begins. Expects to move quickly then.

Mentions that the additions could be for as early as 2013 season, Hurd is under confidentially agreement so cannot release any names.

video
[youtube]

[/youtube]

interesting! some news should be coming out!

im guessing Jax State, Liberty, Lamar, and App State could go as early as 2013 with Georgia Southern and NDSU following later!


Seattle and Denver are also thinking about fielding teams!

[Chris Lang]

I agree. Looks like a strong source ... someone who was actually at the WAC media days and got a chance to speak to Hurd firsthand.

[logic]

Now that is awesome!

[jlread]

WAC....I knew those jokers were cooking something up behind the curtains...WAC here we come. 2013 members 100% "didn't Carr say we were the most ready"??

[LUconn]

I sense a big mood swing coming...

[thepostman]

Wow, this the first promosing thing I have seen. I will be happy to be wrong here, but there is no need to jump the gun here.

If we do get an invite I wonder if it would be an all sports invite or a football only invite. If it is football only then I would be curious as to what would happen with the rest of our teams.