[cruzan_flame13]

I'll leave it to someone else to destroy your idea in greater detail cruzan, but you have to realize that a reason Ohio State/Michigan is such a historic rivalry is that they kinda HAVE to play each other...both being in the Big Ten and what not

Although we're not in a conference, we're both in the same category. So why not? Also things do change in due time so anything is possible even if a few knuckleheads can't see it.

[LUnpretty11]

Well LUNP is gullible

1st: Get my name right
2nd: Gullible is only on the ceiling
3rd: I strongly believe Cruzan was not serious about an OSU/UM level rivalry
4th: See "1st"

[Purple Haize]

Well LUNP is gullible

1st: Get my name right
2nd: Gullible is only on the ceiling
3rd: I strongly believe Cruzan was not serious about an OSU/UM level rivalry
4th: See "1st"

1. I like LUNP
2. LUNP is a great shortened name for you
3. See #1

[Class of 20Something]

Has anyone else considered we were months away from JB needing to piece together an FBS schedule instead of IM? I may be in the minority here, but I am much more comfortable with IM building this from scratch.

[LUnpretty11]

Well LUNP is gullible

1st: Get my name right
2nd: Gullible is only on the ceiling
3rd: I strongly believe Cruzan was not serious about an OSU/UM level rivalry
4th: See "1st"

1. I like LUNP
2. LUNP is a great shortened name for you
3. See #1

I don't see how this improves Liberty's 2018 schedule at all. In fact, I believe it weakens it. Thanks for nothing PH.

[Liberty22]

Has anyone else considered we were months away from JB needing to piece together an FBS schedule instead of IM? I may be in the minority here, but I am much more comfortable with IM building this from scratch.

Well really MG was the schedule builder when JB was here. I wonder how much MG is involved still if not all of it. Also, i wonder if JB knew this FBS independent status was coming? If so, was he for it or against it? Was he let go because he was against it? All speculation, just some things i was wondering the other day.

[Class of 20Something]

Has anyone else considered we were months away from JB needing to piece together an FBS schedule instead of IM? I may be in the minority here, but I am much more comfortable with IM building this from scratch.

Well really MG was the schedule builder when JB was here. I wonder how much MG is involved still if not all of it. Also, i wonder if JB knew this FBS independent status was coming? If so, was he for it or against it? Was he let go because he was against it? All speculation, just some things i was wondering the other day.

I think IM has to be pulling every string he can. LU is his redemption. If he can bring the flames to national recognition, he just extended his career by a decade or more. Everything he does he is trying to distance himself from Baylor. We had a brilliant and frankly overqualified AD fall into our hands because of a scandal. The hire may not be lauded by all, but strategically, I don't know that we've ever made such a power move.

I can't imagine any behavioral issue being swept anywhere with IM as our AD. Justice will reign down like a hammer. But I digress.

If I am IM, I leave no stone unturned. I make sure every possible friend I have is scheduling Liberty. Telling every AD how strong and stable we would be in a conference. Change the hearts and minds of collegiate administrators into those that respect and value what Liberty can bring. IM has a hand in the scheduling. If he can't put us in a position to excel, who else could?

[VAGolf]

Several Mountain West programs have yet to fill their 2018 schedules. I wouldn't be too surprised to see a Utah State or a UNLV make a trip here. And to be quite honest, any of those programs would be home runs in year one. Although, most programs already have their 2018 slate filled, we're actually an attractive option for anyone with an opening. They can get a very, very winnable game that I believe counts toward bowl eligibility (someone fact check), and TV exposure in a market they don't typically penetrate.

[Class of 20Something]

Several Mountain West programs have yet to fill their 2018 schedules. I wouldn't be too surprised to see a Utah State or a UNLV make a trip here. And to be quite honest, any of those programs would be home runs in year one. Although, most programs already have their 2018 slate filled, we're actually an attractive option for anyone with an opening. They can get a very, very winnable game that I believe counts toward bowl eligibility (someone fact check), and TV exposure in a market they don't typically penetrate.

This is why I think we might travel a little more than we are used to. I like all the 30+ FBS schools within a 6 hour drive, seriously, it is 30. I checked. But hitting states like Texas(SMU, BU, maybe UTSA, UTEP, UNT) and Florida (UCF, USF, FIU, FAU) could be huge for our recruiting. Liberty is all about brand awareness. I would really like to compete with the local FBS schools though. Home grown players just feel better.

[Purple Haize]

Has anyone else considered we were months away from JB needing to piece together an FBS schedule instead of IM? I may be in the minority here, but I am much more comfortable with IM building this from scratch.

Well really MG was the schedule builder when JB was here. I wonder how much MG is involved still if not all of it. Also, i wonder if JB knew this FBS independent status was coming? If so, was he for it or against it? Was he let go because he was against it? All speculation, just some things i was wondering the other day.

IM specifically stated MG was already working the phones. IM is most likely working on a new coach for 2018

LU is mandated to have a certain number of FBS home games. Not sure how many more home games they will get than that till 2020 when schedules start opening up.

[R i]

Has anyone else considered we were months away from JB needing to piece together an FBS schedule instead of IM? I may be in the minority here, but I am much more comfortable with IM building this from scratch.

Well really MG was the schedule builder when JB was here. I wonder how much MG is involved still if not all of it. Also, i wonder if JB knew this FBS independent status was coming? If so, was he for it or against it? Was he let go because he was against it? All speculation, just some things i was wondering the other day.

I think IM has to be pulling every string he can. LU is his redemption. If he can bring the flames to national recognition, he just extended his career by a decade or more. Everything he does he is trying to distance himself from Baylor. We had a brilliant and frankly overqualified AD fall into our hands because of a scandal. The hire may not be lauded by all, but strategically, I don't know that we've ever made such a power move.

I can't imagine any behavioral issue being swept anywhere with IM as our AD. Justice will reign down like a hammer. But I digress.

If I am IM, I leave no stone unturned. I make sure every possible friend I have is scheduling Liberty. Telling every AD how strong and stable we would be in a conference. Change the hearts and minds of collegiate administrators into those that respect and value what Liberty can bring. IM has a hand in the scheduling. If he can't put us in a position to excel, who else could?

You make some really great points. IM is earning every dollar, and I am confident in his ability to gain respect for LU athletics nationally.

[phoenix]

Has anyone else considered we were months away from JB needing to piece together an FBS schedule instead of IM? I may be in the minority here, but I am much more comfortable with IM building this from scratch.

Well really MG was the schedule builder when JB was here. I wonder how much MG is involved still if not all of it. Also, i wonder if JB knew this FBS independent status was coming? If so, was he for it or against it? Was he let go because he was against it? All speculation, just some things i was wondering the other day.

I've been wondering if it was actually the reason he was asked to leave - he wasn't on board with going indy.

[gerb]

"The Grizzlies this month agreed to a home-and-home contract that would have Montana host Liberty in 2019 a year after visiting the Flames' Lynchburg, Virginia, campus. Just days after signing the agreement, though, Liberty announced its intention to jump from the Football Championship Subdivision to the upper tier of college football and the Bowl Subdivision."

http://missoulian.com/sports/college/mo ... 7ba76.html

[Sly Fox]

Nice catch, gerb. I know SumItUp & I each enjoyed our trip up to Missoula the last time we played there even though forest fires limited visibility and breathing. I'll be anxious to see if this sticks. Obviously we may have to void it to meet NCAA guidelines. But I wouldn't consider that a certainty.

[flamehunter]

If we gotta play an fcs school, they aren't a bad one to have on the schedule.

[LUaddict]

If we gotta play an fcs school, they aren't a bad one to have on the schedule.

I would say that we renegotiate to have both games trips be 2 home games at the Bill, if not drop the meet at Montana. Just sayin since we will have to meet regulations to have 5 FBS games that year. I'm gonna miss being FCS a lil with these marquee FCS matchups, but I may am looking forward to hosting FBS programs with an expanded stadium.

[Purple Haize]

If you schedule an FCS game you'd like it to be an FCS you're pretty much guaranteed to win

[alabama24]

Did anyone catch that BYU agreed to a 1+1 game with Tennessee? http://www.cbssports.com/college-footba ... -football/

[Purple Haize]

Did anyone catch that BYU agreed to a 1+1 game with Tennessee? http://www.cbssports.com/college-footba ... -football/

Why is that a big deal?

[cruzan_flame13]

Nice catch, gerb. I know SumItUp & I each enjoyed our trip up to Missoula the last time we played there even though forest fires limited visibility and breathing. I'll be anxious to see if this sticks. Obviously we may have to void it to meet NCAA guidelines. But I wouldn't consider that a certainty.

Funny that you stated that. I was looking at the fox sports article about LU's and this caught my eye:

"Liberty will have to rework or cancel some future contracts."

You can read the entire article from this link: http://www.foxsports.com/college-footba ... 018-021617. It's quite repetitive like the other articles going around (not the negative ones).

[alabama24]

Did anyone catch that BYU agreed to a 1+1 game with Tennessee? http://www.cbssports.com/college-footba ... -football/

Why is that a big deal?

Less of a big deal than I originally thought. One game is in 2019, the other in 2022 (I think). The 2019 is the one I was most concerned about, however, as it is a road game for BYU.

[Sly Fox]

Funny that you stated that. I was looking at the fox sports article about LU's and this caught my eye:

"Liberty will have to rework or cancel some future contracts."

We would obviously prefer to move existing contracts to our opponents' bye weeks to fill our hard to schedule October & November slots. We also might have some schools under contract who are not eligible to play an FBS school. You have to maintain a certain number of scholarships in order to play FBS schools. That's something we haven't had to worry about when scheduling guarantee games against the likes of Sr. Francis and PFL schools.

[A Sea of Red]

Playing AD & creating an FBS schedule

http://www.aseaofred.com/playing-ad-cre ... -schedule/

[LUGrad2000]

Good job. That seems like a workable schedule. We will likely be playing some 2 for 1's the first few years. The difficult question is how many we can afford to schedule with the five required FBS home games every year.

[BJWilliams]

Nice slate...when looking at FCS opponents, I would avoid anyone like North Dakota State or 2017 opponent Jacksonville State...the last thing we need is to hand over a check and lose