[jbock13]

A few eyes have been opened .... Not all Sun Belt fans are happy. You can tell he was mad when he updated his blog ...

The fans were looking and hoping for this creation with the Sun Belt Conference. Oh, but no one in the conference leadership is telling us the fans or media on why they decided against adding a program such as Liberty. Thought I forgot-NO! They rejected Liberty saying they don’t fit the Sun Belt Conference. We as fans still want answers on that…and on why? I have a few but I would rather wait and let them tell you since they lead and I follow if they ever decide to do so.

http://sunbeltinsider.blogspot.com/

As I've said before this guy is very pro-Liberty. Not exactly objective.

[Cider Jim]

WVU is having some buyers remorse

If WVU asks nicely, maybe Marshall will let them join Conference USA.

[bluedevilflame]

WVU's buyer remorse could be Cincy's ticket into the Big 12, they deserve better than that mess of AAC anyway.

[flameshaw]

There is ZERO chance we are going independent. I won't waste my time talking about it. We have been there (1-AA) and it didn't work, it has even less a chance of working in FBS.
Something will work out. I am so disgusted with the SBC, that s bad as I want us to go FBS, I would be tempted to tell them no, if we ever did get an invite.
We may have to be patient, which is never a good thing for me.
GO FLAMES

[ATrain]

According to the N&A write-up, the Sunbelt seems to be waiting on JMU, which as we've discussed is probably not interested in the Sunbelt.

I think the key to a conference upgrade is to act like you're not interested. VT wanted into the ACC, but it took political handwringing to get them in. Georgia Southern acted like they weren't ready to move, yet they got an invite. George Mason initially rejected the A-10 before getting an invite. Maybe if Liberty acted like we aren't interested, then we'll get an invite.

[VAGolf]

This very small bird told me today that Liberty fans should wine & dine some ODU and Charlotte fans over the next few weeks. Also, Liberty fans should forget about the SunBelt for now. The bird quickly flew away before I could catch it's name.

[bballfan84]

how about we make the playoffs first..not even win them just make the playoffs...arent we a little ahead of ourselves here

[TH Spangler]

My ECU buddy must have spoken to the same little feathered friend.

[flamehunter]

This very small bird told me today that Liberty fans should wine & dine some ODU and Charlotte fans over the next few weeks. Also, Liberty fans should forget about the SunBelt for now. The bird quickly flew away before I could catch it's name.

Was that the same bird that told you where Wiggins was going?

[VAGolf]

This very small bird told me today that Liberty fans should wine & dine some ODU and Charlotte fans over the next few weeks. Also, Liberty fans should forget about the SunBelt for now. The bird quickly flew away before I could catch it's name.

Was that the same bird that told you where Wiggins was going?

Hence the "very small." Actually, he has a connection to the Wiggins family and after Wiggins committed, I was informed of the reason. Had he chosen FSU, there would have been an NCAA investigation (there might still be an investigation). That's another story though.

This is still simply a rumor and should be taken as such. May not bear any fruition, but I'd figure that I'd share.

[flamehunter]

Just a little friendly ribbing. I enjoy rumors as much as the next guy.

[jbock13]

Yeah, I mean if the Sun Belt didn't want us, the C-USA surely will.

[VAGolf]

Just a little friendly ribbing. I enjoy rumors as much as the next guy.

Indeed. It will be interesting to see what happens with the C-USA. My only guess is that JMU has lost a lot of their appeal.

Yeah, I mean if the Sun Belt didn't want us, the C-USA surely will.

The SunBelt's reasoning gives very little indication as to how other conferences view us. There are very few reasons why SB presidents wouldn't want us, and none of those really have to do with our potential as an FBS member.

[jbock13]

Agreed. They hate our politics, and our athletic budget probably intimidates the small schools. But I don't know how that all the sudden changes with the CUSA.

[Rooster Cogburn]

Point of order.. ..I got the impression that Benson thinks he got some sort of consensus on stability from all the current schools. If that is the case......the CUSA list of targets to get to 16 may have decreased by 2 or 3.

[VAGolf]

Agreed. They hate our politics, and our athletic budget probably intimidates the small schools. But I don't know how that all the sudden changes with the CUSA.

Almost all CUSA schools possess something that the SunBelt (and JMU for that matter) do not; potential.

Charlotte, ODU, UTSA, North Texas and FIU are in huge collegiate markets and are fairly large schools.

They also have the potential to grow and maximize their markets. Although our location isn't near the size of those schools, we have the nationality to make up for it.

[VAGolf]

Also, the SunBelt may have felt uncomfortable inviting us simply because of how attractive we would be to the CUSA. They don't want to invite members that won't stick around.

[Purple Haize]

Really? We are going down this road? Did no one read that CUSA isn't looking to expand for awhile?
I agree that CUSA would be more 'open minded' about some things than would the SBC but competitively we would be in way over our heads. And we'd still have to wait on JM
U's decision.
Nope. We are looking at the SBC in our future. Which really should also include Playoff appearances and wins.
Let go. Feel the power of the Dark Side

[Blessed1]

Maybe if Liberty acted like we aren't interested, then we'll get an invite.

You know what? I tend to agree with you. IMO, I think we could have slowed down our level of eagerness just a tad. For instance, the FBS ready announcement was rather out there. Also, the article where we said we were under consideration for the Sun Belt was rather bold unless the votes were there for an invite. The schools that were contacted by the Sun Belt only came out to say that they were flattered, but they were not ready at this time or they have no interest in going FBS.

I believe we should have played 'Poker-face' during the process and work the phones like crazy behind the scenes. Our announcement stirred a Hornet's nest full of haters. It also probably started a "Do not invite Liberty or else" alumnus e-mail campaign to school presidents.

What we should have done...

[Purple Haize]

Maybe if Liberty acted like we aren't interested, then we'll get an invite.

You know what? I tend to agree with you. IMO, I think we could have slowed down our level of eagerness just a tad. For instance, the FBS ready announcement was rather out there. Also, the article where we said we were under consideration for the Sun Belt was rather bold unless the votes were there for an invite. The schools that were contacted by the Sun Belt only came out to say that they were flattered, but they were not ready at this time or they have no interest in going FBS.

I believe we should have played 'Poker-face' during the process and work the phones like crazy behind the scenes. Our announcement stirred a Hornet's nest full of haters. It also probably started a "Do not invite Liberty or else" alumnus e-mail campaign to school presidents.

What we should have done...

Should we not act interested before or after we go FBS Independent ?

[bluedevilflame]

Sidebar here, Blessed1 I've noticed you putting several GIFs in recent messages and let me just say, I've been enjoying the breathe of fresh air they bring! Carry on with the realignment chatter...

[flamesfilmguy]

Elon had their press conference about an hour ago. its now official. So does Socon go ten? or get cajones and get Mercer,ETSU, VMI,KSU, Coastal and Liberty and make divisions?

South
Mercer
KSU
Samford
Furman
Wofford
Citadel
Coastal

Less South (North just feels wrong)
WCU
VMI
ETSU
LU
UTC
?
?
and boot UNCG to BSC and add another school to the north... like maybe i dunno Campbell (if they are willing to go Scholly football) or.. heaven forbid... Presby lol

Or go grab a prominent DII like North Alabama to make Samford happy or even better West Georgia. I know I'm just dreaming now but hey it could be a solid league if people are willing to think outside the box.

[flamesfilmguy]

If you don't add ETSU and they end up in the OVC to make their 10th team, Just scratch them stay at 12 and take the farthest north SC school and throw them in with the Less South group.

[Purple Haize]

Elon had their press conference about an hour ago. its now official. So does Socon go ten? or get cajones and get Mercer,ETSU, VMI,KSU, Coastal and Liberty and make divisions?

South
Mercer
KSU
Samford
Furman
Wofford
Citadel
Coastal

Less South (North just feels wrong)
WCU
VMI
ETSU
LU
VMI
UTC
?
and boot UNCG to BSC and add another school to the north... like maybe i dunno Campbell (if they are willing to go Scholly football) or.. heaven forbid... Presby I chortle audibly.

Or go grab a prominent DII like North Alabama to make Samford happy or even better West Georgia. I know I'm just dreaming now but hey it could be a solid league if people are willing to think outside the box.

Will VMI be fielding 2 squads?

[Blessed1]

I'm still trying to figure out how Elon got into the CAA before us. Liberty and Elon are both private schools. Both schools have Christian roots. Heck, Elon was known as the 'Fighting Christians' before they became the 'Phoenix'. The word phoenix is synonymous with the word flames.