[SumItUp]

This could start some drastic changes in college sports and conference realignment.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootbal ... -this-week

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story ... ubdivision

[TH Spangler]

Sounds like the split everyones been talking about.

[Blessed1]

It sounds as if this is the NCAA's version of the 'New World Order'...

I believe that Liberty could hang with the big boys if this takes place, but would we or any other school be given the chance to sit at the big boy table too? I wonder if some sort of farm league will be created for schools that can "afford" to fulfill the needs of its student-athletes, but are not in one of the P5 conferences.

[Liberty22]

I too wonder how it will work for those schools who can afford this. That is one thing I am relieved to hear about this that they are not being exclusionary to other schools they are simply being exclusionary to those that can afford it. The question becomes how can a school like us that can afford it move up and sit at their table? Does the NCAA at that point allow us to move up without a conference? Would a conference allow us since we can afford to play by their rules? So many questions..

[SumItUp]

I don't see anything that has been proposed that allows someone to jump divisions without a conference. I do think the Sun Belt (and any other conference) needs to take a hard look at financial ability and stability of any potential candidates for expansion. This is a plus for Liberty in FBS candidacy.

[JakeP50]

The good news just keeps on rolling, first JMU and Mo St are out and now this. If schools are allowed to move up if they can afford it that's even better

[Liberty22]

The good news just keeps on rolling, first JMU and Mo St are out and now this. If schools are allowed to move up if they can afford it that's even better

I'm not suggesting that it becomes that easy. I am simply suggesting that it certainly creates a bunch of new questions that must be answered.

[CinciFlame]

Should help squash some of the EKU talk b/c they're strapped for cash.

[PAmedic]

bigger issue is (and I said this 2 yrs ago) even if we move up we are right back where we started: 2nd tier.

DI splits
FCS
FBS

LU gets tired of being JV- DI, becomes FBS

FBS then splits

FBS (A)
FBS (B)

LU is now again JV

but spent millions getting there.

again

[Purple Haize]

bigger issue is (and I said this 2 yrs ago) even if we move up we are right back where we started: 2nd tier.

DI splits
FCS
FBS

LU gets tired of being JV- DI, becomes FBS

FBS then splits

FBS (A)
FBS (B)

LU is now again JV

but spent millions getting there.

again

You just brought a tear to your Potentate's eye I'm so proud of you

[PAmedic]

we should probably start a "curmudgeons" sub-group on here.

[JakeP50]

I'm still in a good mood about this. I think when this happens the P5 conferences will expand willy-nilly until they all get to 16 and the FBS (B) conferences and their schools with enough money to play by their rules *cough* *cough* will be the first place they look. OPTIMISM!!!!

[alabama24]

FBS (A)
FBS (B)

LU is now again JV

This already exists. But really, there are many more breakdowns than this. There is only ONE real football powerhouse conference.

[alabama24]

Well, they have to grow up some time.

[BCXtreme]

bigger issue is (and I said this 2 yrs ago) even if we move up we are right back where we started: 2nd tier.

DI splits
FCS
FBS

LU gets tired of being JV- DI, becomes FBS

FBS then splits

FBS (A)
FBS (B)

LU is now again JV

but spent millions getting there.

again

Except that: (a) if LU remains FCS, we will actually move down in the pecking order if FBS completely splits; (b) the G5 will never allow themselves to become as hopelessly irrelevant as FCS currently is, so being G5 would still be way better than the Big South; (c) if LU has any hope of ever attracting interest from the P-5, we will need to be in a G5 conference for a long time (read: decades) first, whether or not FBS splits up. While I share your frustration, with all due respect, I think this just makes it more important than ever that LU do everything possible to get in a G5 conference. And I'd certainly rather see us spend millions getting there than continue to spend millions to win Big South titles that apparently do nothing for us. << My humble opinion

[PAmedic]

valid points, all.

basically the framework of DI sport is changing- I see everyone but the top 2 tiers becoming (basically) the equivalent of DIII schools.

P5= majors
G5= minors

everyone else= rec league.

mostly good kids, who like playing sports, but education truly priority #1

schools will have to decide which path to take- the problem being if you don't have money you can't play, and if no one likes you and you don't get invited, well... you don't play. So maybe you don't even have a decision. Not when a small group makes the rules for the rest of us.

[BCXtreme]

valid points, all.

basically the framework of DI sport is changing- I see everyone but the top 2 tiers becoming (basically) the equivalent of DIII schools.

P5= majors
G5= minors

everyone else= rec league.

mostly good kids, who like playing sports, but education truly priority #1

schools will have to decide which path to take- the problem being if you don't have money you can't play, and if no one likes you and you don't get invited, well... you don't play. So maybe you don't even have a decision. Not when a small group makes the rules for the rest of us.

Yeah, that's pretty much what I see. My biggest concern, TBH, is that if Liberty doesn't get the golden ticket next month, the P-5 will make a formal rule that only public universities can ask to move to FBS, if they're not already there (e.g., Baylor, Northwestern), and thereby shut Liberty out for good.

[JakeP50]

I don't think they'll go as far to make a rule that private schools can't move up. Just because it's never happened before doesn't mean these FBS conferences don't love money, and if a private school can make them more money they will let them in.