[Sly Fox]

It is speculated that our primary detractors are the administrators in Arkansas & Louisiana who object to the concept of a school practically on the Atlantic coastline being in their travel plans. I'm sure our political reputation and jealousy over our online success factors into many of their opinions regardless of their geography. That is why it is so crucial to our success for there to be site visits. If we can get those voting to visit our campus and meet us in person, most of their concerns would disappear.

[jcmanson]

And for those pining for CAA or SoCon membership should the Sun Belt fall apart, please explain to me what great advantages would come from joining those leagues in light of their own massive defections. The

Come on Sly...

CAA
Richmond
New Hampshire
Villanova
Towson
JMU
Maine
Delaware
William & Mary
Rhode Island
Stony Brook
Albany

SOCON
Wofford
Chattanooga
Samford
Citadel
Furman
Elon
Western Carolina

Big South
Coastal
CSU
GWU
VMI
PC
Monmouth

Is there even a debate?

[Purple Haize]

As someone who would have loved a move to the CAA I don't see much point in it now. The reasons were the Regional rivalries that would have been awesome. With the CAA disintegrating it sort of takes that draw away. Is it still a better option than the Big South? Absolutely. Will they take a school on record as saying they want to move up ASAP? Probably not.

[NotAJerry]

I got my revenge on the black suburban in a snowstorm. At a stop sign, and lobbed a snowball from the Hill and landed squarely in the middle on the driver's side of the windshield. Got Jerry himself later that afternoon.

I had a friend who was the LU cop on duty at the mansion quite often. He (Doc) let us take the Suburban joyriding once.

My favorite part of his Suburban escapades was those times I caught a glimpse of him while I was running for my life. He was cackling with glee every time as if it was the most fun he could possibly have.

[Liberty22]

I still believe the football affiliate additions should not be used as a measuring stick for the Sun Belt's interest in us. Both are current FBS members who can be full counters right away and who have tons of flexibility in their schedules. I don't believe the Sun Belt has ever seriously viewed us a football affiliate option. If we come into that league, it will be as a full member. And the fact that the geographic footprint has now moved considerably closer to us based on the App State addition actually helps a great deal. That is why JMU suddenly became much more attractive to the league. It also plays to our benefit as well. Then again, it has been mentioned numerous times that I feel very comfortable in my LU-tinted glasses.

I will readily admit that if we don't receive an invitation from the Sun Belt once Western Kentucky and/or George State/Arkansas State leave for greener pastures, then we will likely be at least another year in our current status. And frankly, the CUSA may become our most likely scenario and it is a long shot in the short term.

And for those pining for CAA or SoCon membership should the Sun Belt fall apart, please explain to me what great advantages would come from joining those leagues in light of their own massive defections. The SoCon is likely to add start-up programs to their already depleted lineup. Without VCU, Mason, ODU & Georgia State (and possibly Delaware) the league is a shell of what it was just a year ago. The only way I see us sliding into another FCS league is if the Big South loses both Coastal Carolina & VMI. At this juncture, that doesn't appear to be a concern.

I agree about the Idaho/NMSU adds have nothing to do with us and everything to do with FBS status. However, I find it disheartening to hear that the SunBelt has been actively calling school with NO FBS intentions to gauge interest in moving up when we are here ready and wanting. How ridiculous is that? It really peeves me off....

[NotAJerry]

And for those pining for CAA or SoCon membership should the Sun Belt fall apart, please explain to me what great advantages would come from joining those leagues in light of their own massive defections. The

Come on Sly...

CAA
Richmond
New Hampshire
Villanova
Towson
JMU
Maine
Delaware
William & Mary
Rhode Island
Stony Brook
Albany

SOCON
Wofford
Chattanooga
Samford
Citadel
Furman
Elon
Western Carolina

Big South
Coastal
CSU
GWU
VMI
PC
Monmouth

Is there even a debate?

+1

A depleted CAA or SoCon is still light years ahead of the BSC even if Coastal and VMI do stick around (which they'd be crazy to do if they have an offer elsewhere).

[jcmanson]

As someone who would have loved a move to the CAA I don't see much point in it now. The reasons were the Regional rivalries that would have been awesome. With the CAA disintegrating it sort of takes that draw away.

The only regional football draw that left was ODU & they were only in the CAA football league for what 2 years? VCU & Mason, but obviously don't play football. You're telling me that W&M, Richmond, & JMU aren't worth it? Add in Towson who is not far away, and Stony Brook who we have already developed a rivalry with.

But that's ok we'll stick with Presby and Chuck South. Oh yeah and Monmouth...

[Sly Fox]

We'll have to agree to disagree regarding the SoCon or CAA. We are talking small incremental steps up. 7 of the schools mentioned above in the CAA are football only with JMU & Delaware possibly bolting which would likely send W&M to the Patriot League. The SoCon schools really do nothing for us nationally but make it tougher for us to get to the playoffs. If we have to live in a FCS league for another year or so, frankly I don't see the advantage in moving.

Now if we are stuck below the Mendoza line when another 10-year moratorium is place on FBS move-ups then it is a completely different discussion. But thankfully we aren't in that position right now.

[Purple Haize]

As someone who would have loved a move to the CAA I don't see much point in it now. The reasons were the Regional rivalries that would have been awesome. With the CAA disintegrating it sort of takes that draw away.

The only regional football draw that left was ODU & they were only in the CAA football league for what 2 years? VCU & Mason, but obviously don't play football. You're telling me that W&M, Richmond, & JMU aren't worth it? Add in Towson who is not far away, and Stony Brook who we have already developed a rivalry with.

But that's ok we'll stick with Presby and Chuck South. Oh yeah and Monmouth...

Did you not read the rest of my quote?

[jcmanson]

Did you not read the rest of my quote?

Yeah but I agreed with it so what is the point in addressing it?

[jcmanson]

We'll have to agree to disagree regarding the SoCon or CAA. We are talking small incremental steps up. 7 of the schools mentioned above in the CAA are football only with JMU & Delaware possibly bolting which would likely send W&M to the Patriot League. The SoCon schools really do nothing for us nationally but make it tougher for us to get to the playoffs. If we have to live in a FCS league for another year or so, frankly I don't see the advantage in moving.

Now if we are stuck below the Mendoza line when another 10-year moratorium is place on FBS move-ups then it is a completely different discussion. But thankfully we aren't in that position right now.

I agree with all this. And I realize us going to the CAA or SoCon is highly unlikely, but those 2 leagues are still much more competitive than the Big South even with their defections.

[Purple Haize]

Did you not read the rest of my quote?

Yeah but I agreed with it so what is the point in addressing it? :I chortle audibly.:

Well played ugly logo having guy...

[RVAparks]

If you're throwing around hypothetical moves then this is what it should look like:

CAA
Richmond
New Hampshire
Villanova
Towson
JMU
Maine
Delaware
William & Mary
Rhode Island
Stony Brook
Albany
Furman
Elon

SOCON
Wofford
Chattanooga
Samford
Citadel
Furman
Elon
Western Carolina
Kennesaw State
Mercer

Big South
Coastal
CSU
GWU
VMI
PC
Monmouth

[logic]

It is speculated that our primary detractors are the administrators in Arkansas & Louisiana who object to the concept of a school practically on the Atlantic coastline being in their travel plans. I'm sure our political reputation and jealousy over our online success factors into many of their opinions regardless of their geography. That is why it is so crucial to our success for there to be site visits. If we can get those voting to visit our campus and meet us in person, most of their concerns would disappear.

Considering JMU is further outside of the footprint, I don't buy the geography. That leaves politics and money....dare I say which one I would rather LU have more of??

[Sly Fox]

RVAparks - That is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to hypotheticals. The CAA might not even be sponsoring football by this time next year as the affiliates peel off. Wilmington might wind up in the SoCon. This is just beginning to unfold.

[01LUGrad]

The reason we are doomed: Someone made the decision to post this thread in the "Non-LU Sports" forum. If it had been in the "General Sports" forum, we'd be discussing our SEC schedule by now.

[Rooster Cogburn]

Gents, think about certain Southern members (Maybe USA) who may be afraid if any more eastern teams join the SBC they would be forced into a Western Division and have to travel to Las Cruses and MOSCOW! Everything doesn't have to be some sinister plot against LU due to religion or politics. Listen to Jr and stop the panic and Dark Side Conversions.

[jbock13]

At least the Dark Side uses reason and and experience compared to those who are always glass-half overflowowing.

I would have said naive but I don't mean to, nor do I have any reason insult anyone on here personally. I don't mean that as a personal attack.

[Liberty22]

http://jamesmadison.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1489345

Interesting stuff to listen to here if you click on 'End of March' JMU beat writer discussing SBC rumors and here are some highlights of what was said.

It is more one sided. JMU Admin doesn't appear to want to go to SBC

They don't like the distance to opposing schools, arkansas, texas, etc.

JMU may be forced to go 1A in the next 5 years

SBC wants JMU, but no reason to go there, JMU doesn't want SBC

CUSA much better travel cities

Liberty wants to go 1A but they aren't desirable, you have to deal with the Falwell Baggage

This next one I found interesting...

App State appears to be pushing hard to SBC school president's to bring JMU to have a close rival

We need to get on the horn to APP fast and push for us. We are ready, we could be a great rival with App

[Liberty22]

Great, even more competition

Dieter Kurtenbach ‏@dkurtenbach 1m
Take note, Sun Belt. East Tenn is back. RT @ETSUBob: Football time at ETSU: TBR approves fee to start new program. http://bit.ly/XpqYlv

[bluedevilflame]

Great, even more competition

Dieter Kurtenbach ‏@dkurtenbach 1m
Take note, Sun Belt. East Tenn is back. RT @ETSUBob: Football time at ETSU: TBR approves fee to start new program. http://bit.ly/XpqYlv

You have got to be kidding me, they obviously don't want us if they get an invite

[adam42381]

It's already obvious that they don't want LU.

[Blessed1]

Find it not strange that App St is pulling for JMU. Those two have sort of a friendly rivalry from their FCS playoff days. This is one of the main reasons why making the FCS playoffs and even hosting some home games with FCS big boys would have been tremendous for Liberty. Unfortunately, we have not had the luxury of doing both.

Think of it this way... The presidents of the schools in the FCS playoffs develop friendships with other school presidents and their schools develop rivalries through having to see each other's face from time-to-time. Because of this, they have no choice but to respect one another. Experiences like that help with scheduling home-and-home series outside of the playoffs and staying in contact with one another to share ideas, etc.

It seems to me like we have to struggle to schedule a home-and-home series with some FCS big boys or rival peers. Sure, Liberty have scheduled some CAA teams (JMU, W&M, Richmond) for such a thing in the past, but how many of those schools wouldn't mind doing it on a regular basis? Not many. This is one reason why making the playoffs on a regular basis helps in more ways than just getting the school more exposure.

[ballcoach15]

I say skip the SoCon and CAA, and go straight to a D1 conference, when the invitation comes.

[Liberty22]

I say skip the SoCon and CAA, and go straight to a D1 conference, when the invitation comes.

lol..duh