[bluedevilflame]

I'd love to see the Big 12 take Boise St to kick start things. That opens up a spot in Mt. West for Idaho or NMSU, thus opening the Sun Belt more. There could be other scenarios involving CUSA but this avenue makes sense to me geographically and athletically, Boise deserves the big time.

[jbock13]

I'd love to see the Big 12 take Boise St

Stop dreaming. That will never happen. There's no reason for it to happen. The Big 12 is happy where they are.

[Rooster Cogburn]

http://www.journalnow.com/sports/asu/ap ... hA.twitter

[bluedevilflame]

I'd love to see the Big 12 take Boise St

Stop dreaming. That will never happen. There's no reason for it to happen. The Big 12 is happy where they are.

Theyll expand if they want a championship game and who else is left that's viable, BYU and Boise is it for them.

[ATrain]

I'd love to see the Big 12 take Boise St to kick start things. That opens up a spot in Mt. West for Idaho or NMSU, thus opening the Sun Belt more. There could be other scenarios involving CUSA but this avenue makes sense to me geographically and athletically, Boise deserves the big time.

The Big 12 would take Cincy and maybe Louisville before Boise St. I could see BYU going as well.

[FlameFanInCarolina]

I'd love to see the Big 12 take Boise St

Stop dreaming. That will never happen. There's no reason for it to happen. The Big 12 is happy where they are.

Theyll expand if they want a championship game and who else is left that's viable, BYU and Boise is it for them.

If UNC and UVa go to the Little 10 that leaves Virginia Tech and NC State available for the SEC which means Clemson and Florida State would love to go to the Big 12. Not a high probability but the Big 12 will have options beyond BYU and Boise St.

[LUnpretty11]

http://www.journalnow.com/sports/asu/ap ... hA.twitter

LA schools don't want us... doesn't Appy hate us? No chance we get in.

Louisville is headed to the ACC. Cincy wants in with Louisville due to their rivalry. Big 12 is not going to add either of those teams.

[bluedevilflame]

If UNC and UVa go to the Little 10 that leaves Virginia Tech and NC State available for the SEC which means Clemson and Florida State would love to go to the Big 12. Not a high probability but the Big 12 will have options beyond BYU and Boise St.

This scenario may have worked a few weeks ago before the Grant of Rights was signed by the ACC schools unanimously, they are all locked in for the future now.

[jbock13]

I hope the University of Alaska-Fairbanks goes to the Big Ten. They have a little TV market, but it would be really good for us if it happens. And if that happens, we may have a shot at sneaking in. Like it or not Sun Belt, here we come!

[LUalumfromnc]

A Houston official said recently that they are in talks with the Big XII.

[Blessed1]

If UNC and UVa go to the Little 10 that leaves Virginia Tech and NC State available for the SEC which means Clemson and Florida State would love to go to the Big 12. Not a high probability but the Big 12 will have options beyond BYU and Boise St.

I believe the travel and the logistics (how divisions will be broken down) are the main reasons why neither FSU or Clemson were going to the Big 12. The ACC Network and a moderate pay bump with ND, along with being in a regional conference were the biggest pros that FSU, Clemson, GT, etc. needed to stay. The GOR was the glue that held everything together for the ACC.

The Big 12 has several options. I think a BYU/Boise State combo for FB-only would be their best option at this point. I think the money would increase and since each school would be a FB-only invite, it would be worth their time. Two big sticking points: 1) Is BYU ready to give up its independence? and 2a) Is the Big West willing to deal with Boise State again? 2b) Or, would Boise State go back to the WAC now that Idaho is Big Sky bound in 2014 for Olympic sports?

If BYU / Boise State combo do not work, the Big 12 options are minimal. The schools I've been reading about are: Cincy (potential playmate for WVU), USF / UCF combo (opens up recruiting in the state of Florida for the Big 12), and Houston (Texas may void them; the TV execs may not want another school from Texas because the Big 12 needs to expand its footprint).

[LUnpretty11]

I hope the University of Alaska-Fairbanks goes to the Big Ten. They have a little TV market, but it would be really good for us if it happens. And if that happens, we may have a shot at sneaking in. Like it or not Sun Belt, here we come!

Been there... nice campus... Not the best TV market, but they have hockey to get them in for sure!

[Blessed1]

As the Sun Belt turns....

These tweets are from a Georgia State U. sports affiliate and another person concerning Sun Belt expansion:

Gary Johnson ‏@SunBeltInsider
@ajcgsu @The_Sun_Belt what are the chances of the Sun Belt adding a 12th member.

Gary Johnson ‏@SunBeltInsider
@ajcgsu @The_Sun_Belt I agree but why not liberty or Missouri state

ajcgsu ‏@ajcgsu
@SunBeltInsider @The_Sun_Belt I need to do more research on Missouri State. As for Liberty, my take is the Flames may have financial

ajcgsu ‏@ajcgsu
@SunBeltInsider @The_Sun_Belt resources that may be considered unfair by the other schools. That's just my opinion.

*Please note, that the person(s) (from @ajcgsu) is stating his/her option about Liberty.

This is the first time I heard anyone mention Liberty having an "unfair" financial advantage. As an LU Online Alumnus, I can tell you first-hand that Liberty does not give you a degree, you must earn it... It just goes to show you how lies can spread faster than the truth.

[BJWilliams]

I believe the saying goes "a lie will be halfway around the world before the truth even gets his pants on"

[Purple Haize]

I can see that as an issue. Especially from cash strapped GA ST

[bluedevilflame]

This is the first time I heard anyone mention Liberty having an "unfair" financial advantage. As an LU Online Alumnus, I can tell you first-hand that Liberty does not give you a degree, you must earn it... It just goes to show you how lies can spread faster than the truth.

Absolutely, I finished my bachelors through LUO and it was as much work as the prior school I attended if not more in certain classes. It's like any school it's all in what you make it.

[JK37]

Unfair doesn't necessarily equal diploma mill. This is not the first time Liberty's vast resources have been mentioned as a deterrent. It's just the first time it's been said publicly (at least, of which I'm aware).

At least one conference has expressed privately their fear of Liberty's resources being so great by comparison from the dirt moment they prospectively join said league.

[VAGolf]

Out of curiosity, why does that create an obstacle? Why would anyone be scared of a fellow member having such great resources? If anything, I would want to be in a conference with schools that have great resources.

[JK37]

Granted, the overwhelming majority of us are biased to that end, but I generally feel the same way.

But think about who has the vote? Is it so out of the realm of possibility to not believe a school may not want a newbie to immediately enter and dominate?

[ATrain]

Granted, the overwhelming majority of us are biased to that end, but I generally feel the same way.

But think about who has the vote? Is it so out of the realm of possibility to not believe a school may not want a newbie to immediately enter and dominate?

And how would we dominate? If it were based off of resources, we'd be winning national championships left and right by now.

[JK37]

Conference affiliation affects recruiting. Recruiting affects success.

Liberty has been called a "sleeping giant" by more than one media source. Is it not yet obvious to you all that the whims of conference authorities and university administrators are not entirely logical or objective?

[VAGolf]

Again, why do other schools care if you're successful? I just have never understood why people are afraid of competition. Competition should make you better.

[Purple Haize]

Again, why do other schools care if you're successful? I just have never understood why people are afraid of competition. Competition should make you better.

If I'm a school with a $10 million dollar athletic budget I'm going to look at someone with a $25 million budget as a threat. It's going to be difficult enough to compete with what limited resources I have without adding someone with 2x's my budget.

[thepostman]

Which would explain why the conference commissioner wants us and the presidents do not. The commisioner of a conference wants teams that are willing to spend the money it takes to not only make themselves successful but also in return make the conference better. However, as a school president, you want competition but you want it to be an even playing field.

I am sure that is not the only reason, but its a good one to throw out there.

Plus we're getting the SEC invite any day anyways so there is no need to worry

[VAGolf]

Again, why do other schools care if you're successful? I just have never understood why people are afraid of competition. Competition should make you better.

If I'm a school with a $10 million dollar athletic budget I'm going to look at someone with a $25 million budget as a threat. It's going to be difficult enough to compete with what limited resources I have without adding someone with 2x's my budget.

But if a team is going to make your conference more attractive and more watchable, more people will come to games. There will be a higher demand for your product because it's quality will be better. If you're theory is true, why did Big12 presidents approve of TCU? Why would ACC presidents be in favor of Louisville and Notre Dame joining?

I agree that what you're saying, is likely exactly what the presidents are basing their decision upon. My only point, is that is a very stupid and limiting way to think.