[jbock13]

But if they're contacting schools like that, that should tell you something if you're willing to listen.

[VAGolf]

Did anyone ever determine if that tweet, about Liberty being out of discussions, held any water?

Not really - Damien Sordelett, the Lynchburg News and Advance beat writer, said the tweet was "wrong":

http://www.libertyflamesnation.com/2013 ... eally.html

As you can see in the article, he tweeted on 4/17, "I have something to repute (sic) report, but can't publicly say what it is."

For his part, Brent Thibodeaux, the Texas State blogger who originally tweeted that Liberty was no longer under consideration, doubled down on 4/22:

The rumor mill went silent after that. The Sun Belt asked Indiana State and Illinois State if they were interested in joining, and they both said no. That's been the only news since. Hope that helps!

Thanks for tracking down those tweets.

The current silence intrigues me. If it's a footprint issue, I don't really understand why Indiana or Illinois State would be contacted.

[SuperJon]

It's a people don't want us issue. You guys are starting to sound pretty pathetic grasping at every straw.

It's been said before and is worth saying again: Liberty fans deserve Liberty athletics.

[thepostman]

I don't know what everybody is getting so worked up about, we are heading to the SEC, what else do you want???

[PatrickKelly]

I think it's worse than many of you want to believe. I feel we're probably stuck in the big south for done time. The SB doesn't want us and I don't think well get am invite from better FCS conferences.The SB is going to drastic measures to gain a 12th member when we're right here and could make the move in 48 hours. Just my opinion, but that's what it looks like.

[VAGolf]

It's. Not. A. Footprint. Issue.

Yes, this is the actual reason that no one is letting us in. However, the reason that I guess I've heard reported is that we are out of the Sun-Belt footprint. My point was that obviously it has nothing to do with the footprint if they're contacting Indiana and Illinois St.

I'm not really worried about this at all. God will take care of our athletics program. Jerry Jr. and Jeff Barber have done the best possible job positioning us for a move up. If we don't move up, God doesn't want us there, at least yet. If we do move up, obviously we rejoice in how God has bless us.

If we don't get the invite, I do hope we move out of the Big South or push the Big South leaders to grow.

Big South =

[jbock13]

But wut 'bout teh CUSA?

[Purple Haize]

So if the Big 10 goes really big (like 16 teams big) do you think that this could have a trickle down effect to touch even LU? I mean assume the Big 10 steals at least three teams from the Big East they in turn have to fill those spots if they remain a football conference. They most likely go to Conf. USA who in turn needs to replace teams. Eventually leaving open spots in something like the Southern Conference, that LU might fill.

Would you think this could happen or am I overlooking something? Would the Southern Conference be enough of an upgrade to consider once they are robbed of their top teams?

Could this have been the winner all along ?

[VAGolf]

But wut 'bout teh CUSA?

Conference of Unusual Size Athletics?

I don't think it exist.




I apologize, I realize that this attempt to reference The Princess Bride is mediocre at best. I just feel like, after 131 pages of this, there has to be a Princess Bride reference somewhere.

[Purple Haize]

There have been one or two. It's simply inconceivable that there wouldn't be

[phoenix]

For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
(2 Corinthians 12:10)

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
(Philippians 4:11)

[Damien Sordelett]

As far as the silence on the Sun Belt expansion front, this Tweet came from Brent Thibodeaux (@BrentThibodeaux) not too long ago:

Update coming on the #SunBelt Conference expansion. Could no one get an invite before the June 1 deadline? It looks that way. Stay tuned.

That actually confirms something I was told recently regarding the Sun Belt's process of selecting a 12th member. Since Western Kentucky is going to be in the conference for one more season before moving to Conference USA, the Sun Belt could wait for another year to consider all options.

[jlread]

As far as the silence on the Sun Belt expansion front, this Tweet came from Brent Thibodeaux (@BrentThibodeaux) not too long ago:

Update coming on the #SunBelt Conference expansion. Could no one get an invite before the June 1 deadline? It looks that way. Stay tuned.

That actually confirms something I was told recently regarding the Sun Belt's process of selecting a 12th member. Since Western Kentucky is going to be in the conference for one more season before moving to Conference USA, the Sun Belt could wait for another year to consider all options.

Ha Whatever That update is coming soon cause LU graduations coming soon!!!!

[jbock13]

You shouldn't post when you're under the influence.

[Blessed1]

There are only two options for the Sun Belt before June 1st:
1) invite Liberty as the 12th football member for 2014
OR
2) Wait until next year for team X, Y, or Z

That's it in a nutshell. It depends on how bad they want a championship game for football. We've done all we can do. At this point whatever happens, happens.

[Damien Sordelett]

There are only two options for the Sun Belt before June 1st:
1) invite Liberty as the 12th football member for 2014
OR
2) Wait until next year for team X, Y, or Z

That's it in a nutshell. It depends on how bad they want a championship game for football. We've done all we can do. At this point whatever happens, happens.

+1

[jimflamesfan]

It is frustrating. But regardless what the poster's on the Sunbelt board say, if the Sunbelt wanted a school willing and ready to be the 12th member this year, we are and have always been their only option.

But it looks like they would rather wait until next year and hope someone else gets ready.

The good news is we will know either way by June 1st. If we don't move up, at this point I hope the Big South stays together. I do believe the CAA would take us, but that conference is a mess right now as well. If VMI is the only school that leaves we should stay in the Big South...if the Big South looses the autobid, then at that point we may want to look to the CAA.

I mean, realistically, who else besides us would be willing to join the CAA with the travel mess that they are in right now, and all of the powerful basketball schools have left.

[NotAJerry]

CAA has a TV deal with NBC Sports Network that doesn't end until 2017. It's still an infinitely better option that the steaming pile of feces that is the Big South.

[bluedevilflame]

CAA has a TV deal with NBC Sports Network that doesn't end until 2017. It's still an infinitely better option that the steaming pile of feces that is the Big South.

This. Couple that deal with our network and we'd have more exposure than ever before. The Sun Belt obviously doesn't want us, so if we're left in FCS, CAA would be a great win for our programs.

[Purple Haize]

CAA has a TV deal with NBC Sports Network that doesn't end until 2017. It's still an infinitely better option that the steaming pile of feces that is the Big South.

Which gives JMU more of an incentive to stay. Plus, if I'm a CAA school do I take LU knowing that it is for the short term? What would LU bring to the table that they don't already have? I think we bring a great geographic location which helps with travel, but will that be enough to sway CAA presidents?

[jimflamesfan]

On the other had, the CAA could also drop football completely at some point in the near future...there are north/south problems in the CAA...the Socon may raid W&M...there are a lot of unknowns.

The thing we would bring is being willing to do the crazy FCS and basketball travel whichis the CAA.

Anyway, Brent posted on his twitter tonight that Liberty is the only viable option for the Sunbelt at this point, but members won't unite on Liberty.

We are the only team ready...they might rather wait than take us, that is how much we are hated.

[bluedevilflame]

They'd be cutting their noses off not inviting us. I guarantee the schools minds would change once they visited our campus.

[jlread]

You shouldn't post when you're under the influence.

Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please. -MT ....

[jbock13]

Ha Whatever That update is coming soon cause LU graduations coming soon!!!!

[LUalumfromnc]

For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
(2 Corinthians 12:10)

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
(Philippians 4:11)

It also says come to me all those who are weary and I will give them rest. I am weary of where Liberty is going and the only rest I will get is with Liberty in an FBS conference in all sports.