[jbock13]

Yeah but if we go the route of TCU and compromise, everyone will love us! Even though they still won't.

[phoenix]

I'm starting to think like haize here. Maybe God isn't done with us at the FCS level yet.

[adam42381]

I'm starting to think like haize here. Maybe God isn't done with us at the FCS level yet.

Not to be "that guy", but that sounds like a huge cop out.

[Liberty22]

EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!.....

Step back from the ledge. NOTHING has changed today since yesterday. There is no real news out there yet.

[BJWilliams]

And this is why Im glad we arent the ones who make and shape these sorts of major university decisions...

[Purple Haize]

I'm starting to think like haize here. Maybe God isn't done with us at the FCS level yet.

Not to be "that guy", but that sounds like a huge cop out.

Its not a cop out, it SHOULD be a fundamental principle. As a purportedly Christian University, shouldn't that be the FIRST question we should ask? I'm not saying I have Devine insight but it seems that this is a question that has not been asked.

[TallyW]

[PatrickKelly]

If I were Jerry Jr. I would charter a plane and invite every president of the Sunbelt to come tour our campus and see how we conduct ourselves. See the investments that have been made. Open our books and show them our financial shape. Liberty has alot to sell if you can see past the philosophical differences.

[GillsHill2013]

If I were Jerry Jr. I would charter a plane and invite every president of the Sunbelt to come tour our campus and see how we conduct ourselves. See the investments that have been made. Open our books and show them our financial shape. Liberty has alot to sell if you can see past the philosophical differences.

I like that as well. Just don' t treat them to doc diner.

[ALUmnus]

I'm starting to think like haize here. Maybe God isn't done with us at the FCS level yet.

Not to be "that guy", but that sounds like a huge cop out.

Its not a cop out, it SHOULD be a fundamental principle. As a purportedly Christian University, shouldn't that be the FIRST question we should ask? I'm not saying I have Devine insight but it seems that this is a question that has not been asked.

So going down that road, how do you answer a question like that and then make a decision? Or would it be more like a re-evaluation of what we want our athletics to be.

[Purple Haize]

If I were Jerry Jr. I would charter a plane and invite every president of the Sunbelt to come tour our campus and see how we conduct ourselves. See the investments that have been made. Open our books and show them our financial shape. Liberty has alot to sell if you can see past the philosophical differences.

We have a plane. And access to several more.
Or we could just rent the Osprey's that have been flying around the area and take more 'direct action'

[adam42381]

I'm starting to think like haize here. Maybe God isn't done with us at the FCS level yet.

Not to be "that guy", but that sounds like a huge cop out.

Its not a cop out, it SHOULD be a fundamental principle. As a purportedly Christian University, shouldn't that be the FIRST question we should ask? I'm not saying I have Devine insight but it seems that this is a question that has not been asked.

I just think it's easy to say, "Oh well, it wasn't God's will" if Liberty gets left behind instead of considering the possibility that the school shot itself in the foot by making too many PR mistakes.

[GillsHill2013]

I personally dont think its the PR mistakes....

[TallyW]

The Sun Belt is not worth trying to become something we're not. LU has Christian viewpoints that the world will not tolerate. Certainly we should share our views in a respectful way but from time to time if we voice an opinion or defend our position we will get pulled into the public eye in a way that people will not like.

I personally wasn't pleased with some political decisions this year but it is what it is. I do not want Liberty to promise to be silent on moral issues of our day or to avoid the political space so that far left liberals will accept us into a sports conference. I want Liberty to get stronger in every way possible so that we hit a tipping point where (using JFJR's analogy) people see us as desirable. I do not want us in any way to capitulate on our principles. Again... I am not saying that we're correct all of the time... but I am saying that I'd rather we fall once in a while as we defend our principles as opposed to drop our principles in an effort not to ever offend again.

We do not know precisely what is keeping conferences away. We are a small market with much of what we have to offer in a long-term plan. Also, we see our upside because most of us have lived it... the people making these decisions need to see it and it is possible that for now they do not. I'm confident that we'll get an invite but I don't think we have to break out in tears and become something different in order to do so.

[Purple Haize]

ADAM that's sort of the point. Maybe God is saying we are neither ready nor able to be FBS at this point. Some may be because of past deeds or some may say that it's not in His will as a general principle

[Kricket]

Well said TallyW.

[SumItUp]

Good stuff,Tally!

I also agree with GillsHill that this is not about PR or saying stupid things. Those things do not help, but when a school has a Christian foundation based on Biblical authority, it will face challenges.

[GillsHill2013]

Maybe we will have to tackle FBS as a independent like notredame.....who knows what God has... "A man plans his ways but God directs his steps." Proverbs 16:9

[TallyW]

We need to get in to the dance before we can leave our date.

[LUconn]

Good stuff,Tally!

I also agree with GillsHill that this is not about PR or saying stupid things. Those things do not help, but when a school has a Christian foundation based on Biblical authority, it will face challenges.

b b b but Baylor and ND! yeah, let's pretend either of those 2 schools is anything remotely like LU.

[GillsHill2013]

Has there been a truly evangelical school like us try to go to the big level? Plus baylor and notredame had a foundation long before liberty even had a athletic program. They didnt have to deal with the criticism from liberal thinking that we do now.

[TH Spangler]

I attended a business meeting in Charlotte today. An old buddy of mine was there ....he is an East Carolina booster/alumni and former Pirate offensive linemen from back in the 80's ... I ask him about LU and the Sun Belt. He said that he's hearing that Liberty and Conference USA are talking? Could that rumor, plus ODU showing up on our schedule all of a sudden mean anything?

[logic]

Haize - Unfortunately all those rankings I posted were typed. Sad, I know.


All of this news is very exciting to state the obvious. My top choices -


1. CUSA
2. CUSA
3. CUSA
4. Big East
5. MAC
6. Sun Belt


Why -


CUSA - At this point you have to think it becomes stronger than the Big East, and on the east coast at least, the strongest non BCS conference. National appeal with regional travel partners.

Big East - Less travel than the MAC

MAC - Less travel than the Sun Belt

Sun Belt - From lowest FCS conference to lowest FBS conference...I know we need an invite, any invite, but it would be nice to NOT be at the bottom of the non-BCS FBS schools (the new FCS) if we have the option.

[LUconn]

I don't know where I'd rather be because I honestly can't tell you who is is what conference.

[Kricket]

I don't know how C-USA would be an option seeing as they just added a few schools and some say they have WKU and NMSU lined up for the next wave of realignment.