[LUaddict]

These rumors are driving me nuts, invite us please!

[Purple Haize]

These rumors are driving me nuts, invite us please!

Some of us have more solid info then a rumor...

[LUaddict]

These rumors are driving me nuts, invite us please!

Some of us have more solid info then a rumor...

Since your stating that you have solid info, then go ahead let the cat out of the bag. Why hint that we might have an invite, don't leave us hanging.

[Purple Haize]

Some of us have more solid info then a rumor...

Since your stating that you have solid info, then go ahead let the cat out of the bag. Why hint that we might have an invite, don't leave us hanging.

The Dark Side has the information. The rest will find out in due course.

[SumItUp]

There is solid information that will soon be available, but it does not come from the dark side.

[LUaddict]

Some of us have more solid info then a rumor...

Since your stating that you have solid info, then go ahead let the cat out of the bag. Why hint that we might have an invite, don't leave us hanging.

The Dark Side has the information. The rest will find out in due course.

Solid information that we have been invited and accepted an invitation to the Sun Belt Conference?

[forbidden]

Could it b trying to facilitate an all sports invite vs. FB only invite. Tying up those loose ends maybe?

P.S. I am strong in the ways of the force. Fear is the path to the DARKSIDE.

[ballcoach15]

When we go to a FBS conference, I hope it's for all sports. We need to get out of Big South in everything...............and quickly.

[Purple Haize]

Could it b trying to facilitate an all sports invite vs. FB only invite. Tying up those loose ends maybe?

P.S. I am strong in the ways of the force. Fear is the path to the DARKSIDE.

That's just what they want you to believe.

[ATrain]

The only thing to fear is the DARKSIDE itself

[Purple Haize]

The only thing to fear is the DARKSIDE itself

Yes. This is true for all who refuse to embrace us. In a plutonic way of course

[Purple Haize]

Consider this:
The SBCis telling JMU that if they don't accept they are going to offer the slot to LU
JMU telling the SBC that if they do accept the offer, it will be under the condition that LU is NEVER offered.

[Blessed1]

I don't know about you guys, but when I hear that a school is in discussions with another conference, that school is as good as gone. Remember when the NY Post reported that Pitt and Syracuse was in talks with the ACC? Less than 24 hours later, they were gone to the ACC. In this current landscape of realignment, it's almost a given. I think what's being discussed is how things will go down after Liberty is voted in by the presidents. In other words, there are still more details to be settled first.

[Blessed1]

Consider this:
The SBCis telling JMU that if they don't accept they are going to offer the slot to LU
JMU telling the SBC that if they do accept the offer, it will be under the condition that LU is NEVER offered.

As much as JMU think of themselves, they're in no position to give demands. You can only do that when you're actually in a conference. We've seen it with BC vetoing UConn. We've also seen it with Troy and S. Alabama shunning Jax St and the Sun Belt western teams shunning Sam Houston and Lamar. What I find hilarious is that ALL of the teams in the western division (with the exception of Ark-Little Rock) were at one point in time members of the Southland conference.

[PatrickKelly]

There's a post over on the Sunbelt board basically saying Liberty is in. This comes from am Arkansas State poster that typically had his facts straight. Also, Barber wouldn't go on record of talks occurring if he didn't have some type of informal agreement in place. That wouldn't look good to put that out there and then be passed over. It looks as if it's HELLO SUNBELT.

[FlameFanInCarolina]

I am hoping they announce Liberty is joining the Sun Belt at the faculty meeting this afternoon!?! Since we are about academics that would be a great spot.

[LUaddict]

@CFBRumorCentral
#Liberty has become the frontrunner to replace WKU in the #SunBeltConference - College Football Rumors Blog - ESPN es.pn/X4QRHb

[jbock13]

But if JMU is the Sun Belt's first choice, and it seems they'd much rater have JMU, then JMU does have that bully pulpit.

[rmiller1959]

@CFBRumorCentral
#Liberty has become the frontrunner to replace WKU in the #SunBeltConference - College Football Rumors Blog - ESPN es.pn/X4QRHb

Here is the full report for those who aren't subscribed to ESPN Insider:

UPDATE: James Madison's lack of interest in making an immediate jump to the FBS ranks has Liberty in a prime position to become the Sun Belt's 12th member. The two sides have already engaged in preliminary talks.

"Liberty athletics director Jeff Barber said Tuesday night that the university is in discussions to join the Sun Belt Conference, the first public comments acknowledging Liberty as an option for the conference," Damien Sordelett of the Lynchburg News & Advance reported.

An offer or agreement aren't imminent. Barber stated Liberty is "one of those (teams) being considered.”

James Madison is reportedly the Sun Belt's top target, but the school isn't ready to make a decision. Sam Houston State is in the mix as well.

---

The domino effect created by college football realignment continues to affect the Sun Belt Conference. The league already announced the additions of Appalachian State, Idaho, Georgia Southern and New Mexico State in efforts to build stability. Western Kentucky will reportedly announce its intent to leave the Sun Belt later today.

A fifth team will be added by the conference as it considers a couple options.

"The leading expansion candidates for the Sun Belt to replace Western Kentucky are James Madison and Liberty," sources told ESPN college football reporter Brett McMurphy.

A favorite can be taken from those two options with a third program also on the outskirts of consideration.

"Nothing has changed on the Sun Belt’s end. James Madison is still the No. 1 option, with Liberty and (Sam Houston State) also being considered," Dieter Kurtenbach of the South Florida Sun-Sentinal tweeted.

Although, James Madison doesn't appear to be interested.

"From what we're hearing, JMU has nearly ZERO interest in the Sun Belt and doesn't plan to make any decisions until (FBS) report is done in September," Mark Selig of the Harrisonberg Daily News-Record tweeted.

The Sun Belt may not be willing to wait for James Madison to make a decision whether the school wants to leave the FCS ranks which would place Liberty in the driver's seat to replace Western Kentucky.

[Chris Lang]

As has been pointed out, Barber doesn't say something publicly unless he's confident about the relationship between LU and the Sun Belt. I asked him numerous times about it last year and he wasn't willing to talk on the record because of the ongoing nature of interest between LU and certain conferences.

This is not the case of an over-zealous AD speaking out of turn. Jeff knows what he's doing.

[ATrain]

But if JMU is the Sun Belt's first choice, and it seems they'd much rater have JMU, then JMU does have that bully pulpit.

ODU wants JMU in C-USA, and if JMU makes the jump they'll want to be in C-USA with ODU. Something tells me JMU can spurn the Sunbelt if they want to, and it seems like they want to.

[flamesfilmguy]

The only thing to fear is the DARKSIDE itself

Yes. This is true for all who refuse to embrace us. In a plutonic way of course

HAHA! well played. and so true.

[Blessed1]

What in the world?....

Here's a conversation that I found between a Sun Belt poster (who is upset with the idea of Liberty joining the conference) and a Liberty poster. Personally, I got quite a kick out of it.

So can I get a promise from all Liberty folks that when/if and invitation is NOT extended you'll stop posting on this board? We'll know this has happened if JMU or another school gets an invite in your place.

If and when this process ever ends and LU is completely ruled out by the SBC, YEP.

Ok, so you're speaking for the rest of the Flames here...

If JMU or another school gets an invite and accepts in the next few days/weeks, y'all will back off on all the posts?

*Disclaimer* This is a legally binding document per the rules and regulations as set forth by the SBC Message Board Committee.

Seriously? Liberty will never be completely "ruled out" due to the nature of conference realignment. For the guy to respond like he did was straight comical. And it also make you want to "lay hands" on him like this...

[Purple Haize]

Why are you posting something from another board on here? Who cares?

[Liberty22]

I wonder what the chances are of our going public about the Sunbelt, having to do with a show of 'strength' so to speak to another conference that may be interested. I highly doubt we have another conference interested but if we did, I wonder if this was a powerplay on our end, similar to what we believe Sunbelt is doing to us with JMU