[4everfsu]

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story ... ng-sources

[SumItUp]

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story ... ng-sources

Pretty bad news for the Big Least

Agreed. Both Cincy and UConn are begging the ACC to take them. The Big East better start courting a couple of C-USA teams now.

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story ... ng-sources

[PAmedic]

maybe he was just reminding you

he's very helpful like that

[rmiller1959]

The "new" Big East is taking shape - it's official now. Xavier, Butler and Creighton are on board:

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketb ... musketeers

[JK37]

What a bball league, and they still get to play tourney in MSG. I like it!

I wonder of extra travel for Olympic sports will become financially burdensome?

[Purple Haize]

The Big East has gone back to their roots!

[flamesfilmguy]

Here's what I've got from all of this mess as it pertains to us:
The way I see it WHEN WKU moves, That will leave the sunbelt with a decision. its almost a done deal assumption that the Sun belt adds GAsouth and Appy. That leaves one spot in the sunbelt Jacksonville state, us, JMU, Lamar Etc are all vying for that last spot. I honestly have been kinda worried about the lack of talk about us in all these rumors. the whole where there's smoke there's fire argument comes into play here. I want to think that we are more attractive than all of those schools money and facility wise but in reality I don't see the sun belt inviting us unless they invite more than 3. Thats just my opinion. but I continue to hold out hope. if these mac rumors are true i'd like to think that may be a pretty good for us. but again thats just rumors. I'm ready for all of this to be over with. speculation is not nearly as fun as talking about future FBS opponents coming into the burg.

[rmiller1959]

I honestly have been kinda worried about the lack of talk about us in all these rumors. the whole where there's smoke there's fire argument comes into play here. I want to think that we are more attractive than all of those schools money and facility wise but in reality I don't see the sun belt inviting us unless they invite more than 3.

I agree, flamesfilmguy. That's why I'm hoping for a domino effect that will force the Sun Belt to give us a shot. I think Cincinnati and UConn will bolt for the ACC at some point; they've made no secret of their desire to leave The Conference Formerly Known As The Big East (TCFKATBE). C-USA has become TCFKATBE's favorite conference to raid, so they will grab two teams from there to restock, meaning C-USA will look for a couple of hungry Sun Belt programs to move up. The Big 12 is probably going to expand to 12 teams, as some of their athletic directors have hinted, and Florida State has been chomping at the bit to leave the ACC; Clemson and Miami are also in the mix for the Big 12. The Big 10 is saying they're not done, either. This is going to be a marathon, not a sprint, so it will be fun to speculate as the conferences dance. Like you, though, I feel like the kid that no one wants to pick for their team, and I'm hoping it gets to the point where they have no choice!

[Blessed1]

If WKU leaves, the Sun Belt will try to look for another eastern school because of Troy and S. Alabama's resistance to move out west. Therefore, outside of the obvious first two choices (App St and GSU), next-in-line for a possible invitation are: Liberty, JMU, and Jacksonville St (JSU).

JMU, while remaining relatively quiet about its FBS aspirations, has shown no interest in the Sun Belt to my knowledge and would probably want an invite from the MAC or the nBE. JMU would probably want the MAC first since they could possibly accommodate their CAA buddies (Delaware and Towson). This leaves JSU. Troy cannot stand JSU, plus JSU would give the Sun Belt 3 schools from the state of Alabama. Out of Liberty, JMU, and JSU, I like our odds for landing an invite.

[Sly Fox]

NM State as a football-only affiliate of the Sun Belt remains on the table. As an existing FBS member, they help the viability of the Sun Belt should a slew of departures occur. All of that said, I don't anticipate it happening. They are likely in for all sports or left in no man's land. Frankly they are our top competition for a 3rd slot in the Sun Belt after App State & Georgia Southern. I've had folks in the know indicate to me that we are the favorite for the #3 slot but there is not consensus to add three more schools.

Lamar & Sam Houston are way behind us in the pecking order for a number of reasons. Jacksonville State would be the favorite based on geography but they have questions surrounding funding and have the folks at Troy adamant in not wanting to allow the Gamecocks to be considered a peer institution. Chattanooga & Missouri State are not viable FBS options at this juncture. That only leaves us & JMU in the East and NM State in the west since Idaho is not even remotely being considered even for affiliate status.

[logic]

Do we have a time frame here? What is the next step?

[Blessed1]

Do we have a time frame here? What is the next step?

Here's an article I found that might help with the time-frame. It was written March 9th, after the Sun Belt held its meeting I believe...

...While no conference invitations were extended, Benson stated that the Sun Belt was in the process of determining whether it wants to have 10 or 12 football playing members.

According to Bowling Green Daily News reporter Chad Bishop, Benson said that "within 30 days, we hope to be able to announce what the new structure will be."

Regardless of that decision, Benson also stated that the conference expects to have 12 schools by the 2015 season.

http://www.statesboroherald.com/section ... cle/48530/

The '12 schools by 2015' comment intrigued me. I cannot find the article, but I remember that JB stated somewhere that he expects Liberty to be in a FBS conference by 2015!
*Arsenio Hall Hmmmm.*

Does anyone else remember the article that I'm referring to? I think is was written by a Liberty affiliate and posted somewhere online, but I believe it has been pulled. I remember this particular article because some people on here were asking why would JB state something of that nature when the decision is not in our hands.

[TH Spangler]

If they needed someone ready to play in the 2014 season would we be ready?

[Humble_Opinion]

If they needed someone ready to play in the 2014 season would we be ready?

Absolutely.

[Humble_Opinion]

NM State as a football-only affiliate of the Sun Belt remains on the table. As an existing FBS member, they help the viability of the Sun Belt should a slew of departures occur. All of that said, I don't anticipate it happening. They are likely in for all sports or left in no man's land. Frankly they are our top competition for a 3rd slot in the Sun Belt after App State & Georgia Southern. I've had folks in the know indicate to me that we are the favorite for the #3 slot but there is not consensus to add three more schools.

Lamar & Sam Houston are way behind us in the pecking order for a number of reasons. Jacksonville State would be the favorite based on geography but they have questions surrounding funding and have the folks at Troy adamant in not wanting to allow the Gamecocks to be considered a peer institution. Chattanooga & Missouri State are not viable FBS options at this juncture. That only leaves us & JMU in the East and NM State in the west since Idaho is not even remotely being considered even for affiliate status.

So essentially our best hope is for the Sun Belt to run out of viable candidates that could leap frog us. Because that's essentially what has been taking place. Particularly, in what will be the most recent case of Geogia Southern.

[PatrickKelly]

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/sports/x ... e-in-C-USA

This writer is saying he's confirmed WKY will get am invite to C USA as many speculated. This opens us up nicely for that possible 3rd spot.

[flamesfilmguy]

heard today from a reliable source that Georgia Southern has already been offered and will accept. I assume that means APPY is not far behind. I think everyone is waiting to announce until basketball is over.

[ATrain]

Rumor I heard from the ODU crowd: George Mason to the A-10

[NotAJerry]

Rumor I heard from the ODU crowd: George Mason to the A-10

I find it odd that the CAA is falling apart after getting the NBC deal.

[alabama24]

Rumor I heard from the ODU crowd: George Mason to the A-10

I find it odd that the CAA is falling apart after getting the NBC deal.

Well, Jay Leno says that NBC is dead.

[LUGrad2000]

With the probable departure of WKU, does the Sun Belt want to stay at nine with the additions of Georgia Southern and Appy St.? Or go to ten? Or twelve?

[TH Spangler]

I'm more optimist than ever. Hopefully it's by 2014. I noticed sensible people on the SB forum are starting to acknowledge what Liberty has to offer.

http://csnbbs.com/showthread.php?tid=62 ... pid9142838

[TIMSCAR20]

This is the 1st time I have allowed myself to get excited about the possibilities. It seems more likely a Sun Belt invite is going to happen. I feel badly for the CAA. A very good league in basketball and a really good 1AA football league that is going down fast. George Mason leaving would really make it a second rate hoops league with ODU and VCU already gone.

[ATrain]

The loss of George Mason will hurt the CAA, but are they going to be anything anymore now that Larranaga (sp?) is gone? I see the CAA trying to add Davidson again, plus maybe Albany and Stony Brook.

[Purple Haize]

The loss of George Mason will hurt the CAA, but are they going to be anything anymore now that Larranaga (sp?) is gone? I see the CAA trying to add Davidson again, plus maybe Albany and Stony Brook.

The CAA's was hurt because they couldn't jump to FBS. I would have liked to see us there but now that they are a dying league it would be nice to get caught in the swirl so to speak.