[jcrew4]

I hope that with App St and GSU on board, Liberty will have a couple more votes coming their way. Maybe it will help having those two in, maybe not. I think those email conversations between GSU and NMSt may hold some weight in creating a 'peer-institutional' friendship, thus gaining NMSt more votes. In the game of realignment, there is a lot of schmoozing and backdoor arrangements (...no pun intended).

What's sort of disheartening is that Liberty seems to have no 'peer-institution' friendships. In other words, we have no schools that are willing to vouch for us. Those things do come into play in these situations.

I'm still confident that Liberty will get their number called before any memorandum comes into play. It is now important for Liberty to start making the FCS playoffs. Look at Butler. They started off small and now they're making their way to the Big East. Heck, Florida Gulf Coast may find their way in the Sun Belt if they continue on their historic journey. Liberty needs that same effect, but in football. It will definitely help our case.

So are you saying that its good for Liberty to actually make the FCS playoffs once prior to leaving the FCS? You actually think that's important, to be successful in the division that your in? About 70 pages ago I thought I was told winning doesn't matter, its about buildings, stadiums, attendance, and TV, don't forget the TV market (Can't believe Lynchburg is smaller than Boone and Statesboro). Oh and the 100k online student following, that will land the big conference.

[TH Spangler]

Give it time guys ... we'll find a partner!

In a welcome surprise, one of those comments came from Notre Dame’s president emeritus, the Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh. In a letter to Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr., Hesburgh said he enjoyed the article, encouraged Falwell, Jr. with a story of Notre Dame’s rise to the top from a football roster of only 16, and sent “sincere congratulations and prayers for continuing growth in the years to come.” Falwell, Jr. said he was moved by Hesburgh's thoughtfulness. http://www.liberty.edu/development/alum ... &MID=71612

[Blessed1]

So are you saying that its good for Liberty to actually make the FCS playoffs once prior to leaving the FCS? You actually think that's important, to be successful in the division that your in? About 70 pages ago I thought I was told winning doesn't matter, its about buildings, stadiums, attendance, and TV, don't forget the TV market (Can't believe Lynchburg is smaller than Boone and Statesboro). Oh and the 100k online student following, that will land the big conference.

I think winning will help our case in the Sun Belt because their last two expansion picks had nothing to do with their TV market. App St and GSU got in because of their football pedigree. Before them, it was Georgia State and Texas State. Georgia State got in because of their market. Texas State got in because of their football stadium and their growth potential.

[jcrew4]

I was being sarcastic. I agree with you. Many months ago I made the crazy statement that until we start winning against the top FCS teams and actually particapte in the FCS playoffs I doubt we would move anywhere. I still feel that way. I was told winning had little to do with it. But if this speculation comes true I suspect winning has everything to do with it. Boone nor Statesboro are places most want to travel too. Been to both schools and while their facilities are nice, they don't come close to comparing to Liberty. They don't have the TV network in place either. Lots of things they don't have but one thing for sure they both have. National Championship trophies. Liberty needs to focus on being successful where they are before they worry about moving to a higher level.

[bigsmooth]

I have zero confidence we go anywhere. We are stuck in the big south. Heck I bet the SoCon goes after Coastal and then what happens? Auto bid gone.

[NotAJerry]

I was being sarcastic. I agree with you. Many months ago I made the crazy statement that until we start winning against the top FCS teams and actually particapte in the FCS playoffs I doubt we would move anywhere. I still feel that way.

UNC Charlotte is going to the CUSA for what reason? Must be all the winning. Nope, that has nothing to do with it. Conferences are looking for things like academics, Title IX compliance, facilities, TV market, money, etc. Schools like South Alabama and UTSA further prove that point. If the Sun Belt presidents take a look at what we actually have, they'll take us. If they don't, we may not be going anywhere.

[jcrew4]

I was being sarcastic. I agree with you. Many months ago I made the crazy statement that until we start winning against the top FCS teams and actually particapte in the FCS playoffs I doubt we would move anywhere. I still feel that way.

UNC Charlotte is going to the CUSA for what reason? Must be all the winning. Nope, that has nothing to do with it. Conferences are looking for things like academics, Title IX compliance, facilities, TV market, money, etc. Schools like South Alabama and UTSA further prove that point. If the Sun Belt presidents take a look at what we actually have, they'll take us. If they don't, we may not be going anywhere.

I got tell ya, if the Sunbelt takes App State and Ga Southern their not taking them for any of the reason you mentioned. Boone is nice, Statesboro is a pit. Can't possibly have anything to do with facilities or TV market. I live in Atlanta, I know kids that play at GA Southern, their not on TV anywhere in this metro area, maybe Valdosta or Savannah. No one goes to either school for their academic achievements. They typically go to both schools because they didn't get accepted to NCST, UNC, UGA or GA Tech. Liberty has alot more to offer than both of those schools with one exception. Both have a room full of National Championship hardware. In the south they have a reputation of football success. Money hasn't been able to supply that so far.

[logic]

What's sort of disheartening is that Liberty seems to have no 'peer-institution' friendships. In other words, we have no schools that are willing to vouch for us. Those things do come into play in these

That's a great point. In fact I think someone else brought up the fact that for years we actively pursued NOT being liked by our peer institutions.
IMO, this has a lot to do with our 'delay' in moving up.

That was me Haize. Dare I say we might agree once again?

[flamesfilmguy]

I got tell ya, if the Sunbelt takes App State and Ga Southern their not taking them for any of the reason you mentioned. Boone is nice, Statesboro is a pit. Can't possibly have anything to do with facilities or TV market. I live in Atlanta, I know kids that play at GA Southern, their not on TV anywhere in this metro area, maybe Valdosta or Savannah. No one goes to either school for their academic achievements. They typically go to both schools because they didn't get accepted to NCST, UNC, UGA or GA Tech. Liberty has alot more to offer than both of those schools with one exception. Both have a room full of National Championship hardware. In the south they have a reputation of football success. Money hasn't been able to supply that so far.

They have many things to offer. App has a wider reaching market than you think. A LOT of alum live in Charlotte. they have UNREAL facilities. while they may not have the national reach liberty does with the online school they still have an argument of being just as attractive. their biggest drawback was its hard to get to.
GAsouth is similar with their alumni base being all over Atlanta. While their facilities are not up to par YET( yet being the key word here. ) firing their AD was the best thing they could have done. they now have people in place to fund raise and surprisingly enough they have a very passionate fan base that has been growing, I'll give you the fact that statesboro is a hole. It pains me to say all that about Gasouth having received a masters degree from GSU. but the sun belt was smart. they went and got two of the best schools available. now I believe LU is on par and with some more facilities(I.E indoor facility similar to APP and upgrades to Vines) and our financial commitment to athletics, we can compete immediately with most of the sun belt schools in most sports and can be an awesome addition to the conference. but putting down potential conference mates because they made the jump before us isn't going to help our cause. on a side note, hearing a socon announcement for replacements will be coming very shortly after wed. like somewhere around the beginning of April. just my 2 cents.

[LUGrad2000]

Well, this is no surprise. We now wait on WKU. Then we will know if we are doomed to FCS or not.

[ballah09]

^well it's no secret that NMSU is the next team to get the invite once WKU leaves. hence the football only team that's been talked about recently.

it depends if the the conference stays at 10 like the presidents want or go to 12 with a championship game like the the coaches and benson want. if they go benson's route then obv. they would need two more teams.

[Liberty22]

I'm feeling great about this. For all intents and purposes WKU is gone. It's been announced or leaked whatever you want to call it. So with the additions of App and GASO that gives the SunBelt 9 members. They have already said they want 12. Pull in NMSU to give them an FBS member to help with the transitioning schools, heck maybe even an Idaho, who really knows. If that happens they are at 11. There we are for 12. Or 11 if Idaho doesn't get a nod. We will be in, hopefully we will hear something soon though.

[logic]

I'm feeling great about this. For all intents and purposes WKU is gone. It's been announced or leaked whatever you want to call it. So with the additions of App and GASO that gives the SunBelt 9 members. They have already said they want 12. Pull in NMSU to give them an FBS member to help with the transitioning schools, heck maybe even an Idaho, who really knows. If that happens they are at 11. There we are for 12. Or 11 if Idaho doesn't get a nod. We will be in, hopefully we will hear something soon though.

This would require them going to 12, which the Presidents do not want to do...

[jcrew4]

I got tell ya, if the Sunbelt takes App State and Ga Southern their not taking them for any of the reason you mentioned. Boone is nice, Statesboro is a pit. Can't possibly have anything to do with facilities or TV market. I live in Atlanta, I know kids that play at GA Southern, their not on TV anywhere in this metro area, maybe Valdosta or Savannah. No one goes to either school for their academic achievements. They typically go to both schools because they didn't get accepted to NCST, UNC, UGA or GA Tech. Liberty has alot more to offer than both of those schools with one exception. Both have a room full of National Championship hardware. In the south they have a reputation of football success. Money hasn't been able to supply that so far.

They have many things to offer. App has a wider reaching market than you think. A LOT of alum live in Charlotte. they have UNREAL facilities. while they may not have the national reach liberty does with the online school they still have an argument of being just as attractive. their biggest drawback was its hard to get to.
GAsouth is similar with their alumni base being all over Atlanta. While their facilities are not up to par YET( yet being the key word here. ) firing their AD was the best thing they could have done. they now have people in place to fund raise and surprisingly enough they have a very passionate fan base that has been growing, I'll give you the fact that statesboro is a hole. It pains me to say all that about Gasouth having received a masters degree from GSU. but the sun belt was smart. they went and got two of the best schools available. now I believe LU is on par and with some more facilities(I.E indoor facility similar to APP and upgrades to Vines) and our financial commitment to athletics, we can compete immediately with most of the sun belt schools in most sports and can be an awesome addition to the conference. but putting down potential conference mates because they made the jump before us isn't going to help our cause. on a side note, hearing a socon announcement for replacements will be coming very shortly after wed. like somewhere around the beginning of April. just my 2 cents.

I think that would be the best situation. Southern conference is going to need two new teams. That would be a step in the right direction.

[logic]

If that is the case, CAA > SoCon

[4everfsu]

http://espn.go.com/college-football/sto ... ng-sources

[LUGrad2000]

http://espn.go.com/college-football/sto ... ng-sources

I would feel so much better about this if we were at least mentioned. I want to see some smoke!
I suspect that if we were to be invited it would be a surprise. That is my hope and prayer.

[flamesfilmguy]

I'm with smooth now. 0 confidence. We haven't been mentioned. PLUS they mentioned both Idaho and NMSU. That does not bode well for us.

[logic]

At this point they would almost have to go to 12 for us to get an invite. We know Benson wants it. How much sway does be have over the presidents? Is Bill Carr still helping us out? I haven't heard his name mentioned lately.

[Cider Jim]

But this might be a reference to LU:

We also are exploring the possibility of football-only members, and it's not just limited to NMSU and Idaho.

While that is not best case senario, LU would take it if we were offered, wouldn't we?

[ATrain]

But this might be a reference to LU:

We also are exploring the possibility of football-only members, and it's not just limited to NMSU and Idaho.

While that is not best case senario, LU would take it if we were offered, wouldn't we?

Would the Big South let us keep our other sports in the Big South? Or where would they go?

[logic]

But this might be a reference to LU:

We also are exploring the possibility of football-only members, and it's not just limited to NMSU and Idaho.

While that is not best case senario, LU would take it if we were offered, wouldn't we?

Would the Big South let us keep our other sports in the Big South? Or where would they go?

This would be bad..our "other" sports are more ready to move up than football. Track and Volleyball need some competition.

[SumItUp]

Uh-oh, Sun Belt is going to 12. Who is next if Western Kentucky leaves?


http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootbal ... r-in-2014-

[rogers3]

Uh-oh, Sun Belt is going to 12. Who is next if Western Kentucky leaves?


http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootbal ... r-in-2014-

Idaho... Sun-Belt...stupid and shortsighted.

[LUGrad2000]

So if WKU leaves, we are next in line?