[Sly Fox]

It is about to get real up in here in the next few months.

[thepostman]

Sly bomb?

[Purple Haize]

Sly bomb?

We’ve been “Sly-Pac’d”. A drive by info tease

[tyndal23]

From a pure football perspective - IF LU offered enough $ to get the all sport invite to AAC ( enough to make the presidents hold their nose and invite us in ) would you prefer that to Indy ? That would drop us down to 1 maybe 2 P5 games ( UVA/VT) a year. I think I would prefer that to current status - because there is at least a “path” to an 8 team playoff spot down the line and I don’t think we can recruit strong enough to win consistently against 4 P5 teams like we have scheduled. I still think we have much more upside as an Indy IF we embrace it all out and schedule like BYU does this year and get a couple of conferences to consider us a P5 equivalent for scheduling - AAC is still handcuffed on recruiting as a G5 - I believe LU could really out recruit any G5 if they were considered a P5 equivalent and have a much higher SOS, but would still be dealing with no 13th game data point. IF LU insists on only 4 p5 games a year as an Indy long term- then I think its a no brainer to take an AAC invite. I am all for whatever gets us there the quickest.

[chris leedlelee]

It is about to get real up in here in the next few months.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN

[ballcoach15]

From a pure football perspective - IF LU offered enough $ to get the all sport invite to AAC ( enough to make the presidents hold their nose and invite us in ) would you prefer that to Indy ? That would drop us down to 1 maybe 2 P5 games ( UVA/VT) a year. I think I would prefer that to current status - because there is at least a “path” to an 8 team playoff spot down the line and I don’t think we can recruit strong enough to win consistently against 4 P5 teams like we have scheduled. I still think we have much more upside as an Indy IF we embrace it all out and schedule like BYU does this year and get a couple of conferences to consider us a P5 equivalent for scheduling - AAC is still handcuffed on recruiting as a G5 - I believe LU could really out recruit any G5 if they were considered a P5 equivalent and have a much higher SOS, but would still be dealing with no 13th game data point. IF LU insists on only 4 p5 games a year as an Indy long term- then I think its a no brainer to take an AAC invite. I am all for whatever gets us there the quickest.

What worries me is that being Indy, we not have a bowl tie in. In reality we might could go undefeated and not get an invite. In AAC, we'd get bowl tie ins.

[olldflame]

From a pure football perspective - IF LU offered enough $ to get the all sport invite to AAC ( enough to make the presidents hold their nose and invite us in ) would you prefer that to Indy ? That would drop us down to 1 maybe 2 P5 games ( UVA/VT) a year. I think I would prefer that to current status - because there is at least a “path” to an 8 team playoff spot down the line and I don’t think we can recruit strong enough to win consistently against 4 P5 teams like we have scheduled. I still think we have much more upside as an Indy IF we embrace it all out and schedule like BYU does this year and get a couple of conferences to consider us a P5 equivalent for scheduling - AAC is still handcuffed on recruiting as a G5 - I believe LU could really out recruit any G5 if they were considered a P5 equivalent and have a much higher SOS, but would still be dealing with no 13th game data point. IF LU insists on only 4 p5 games a year as an Indy long term- then I think its a no brainer to take an AAC invite. I am all for whatever gets us there the quickest.

What worries me is that being Indy, we not have a bowl tie in. In reality we might could go undefeated and not get an invite. In AAC, we'd get bowl tie ins.

Because of not having tie-ins, going undefeated and not getting a bowl bid is something that could happen in THEORY. In, REALITY, with the schedules we are playing, not a chance.

[Lion1983]

Wont really effect Liberty, but have heard that Ted Gumbart (ASUN commissioner) has been trying to work out a deal with possibly the Sun Belt to give a home to ASUN football schools that want to play FBS. Much like the ASUN/Big South deal.

And I say Sun Belt, not because they have been mentioned, but because it's the only conference that would make sense.

And from what I hear, if FGCU and North Florida ever do start a football program, it will be for FBS only.

Sun Belt + KSU and UNA as football only members=12, add FGCU and UNF, 14 plus gets the Sun Belt into Florida for football.

At that point, (assuming Liberty is still in the ASun) Liberty can have a scheduling agreement with ASUN brethren.

[BlueBlood]

I just reviewed the final Learfield Directors' Cup all-sports standings. Interesting that Liberty finished higher than the top school in the Big South, SoCon, Sun Belt and C-USA.

That's pretty impressive.

Now, that's not to say that they would have the same exact numbers if they played in those conferences. You gain points in national tournaments/championships. LU might not have reached the same number of national events if they played in those conferences.

[Lion1983]

Wont really effect Liberty, but have heard that Ted Gumbart (ASUN commissioner) has been trying to work out a deal with possibly the Sun Belt to give a home to ASUN football schools that want to play FBS. Much like the ASUN/Big South deal.

And I say Sun Belt, not because they have been mentioned, but because it's the only conference that would make sense.

And from what I hear, if FGCU and North Florida ever do start a football program, it will be for FBS only.

Sun Belt + KSU and UNA as football only members=12, add FGCU and UNF, 14 plus gets the Sun Belt into Florida for football.

At that point, (assuming Liberty is still in the ASun) Liberty can have a scheduling agreement with ASUN brethren.

Update...

Was inquiring about this situation since it had been since last football season that it was brought to my attention.

Looks like another Avenue is being explored.

The ASun may be exploring a waver from the NCAA to let any ASUN school with football to play FBS football as Indy status if that or those schools choose to. FGCU and UNF have had studies and are more likely to add football if FBS was a reasonable option.

Also, if scenario would happen, the ASun would implement a policy that all schools that may play FBS ball schedules each other yearly. So that guarantee 4 games built in a year.

ASUN schools likely to go this route (we all know)

Liberty (of course)
UNA
KSU
FGCU
UNF

[TH Spangler]

https://eastcarolina.sportswar.com/mid/ ... ecubanter/

There's a lot of back in forth on the ECU forum about LU to AAC

[ballcoach15]

Ball coach is glad someone else feels the way he does about ODU, VCU, UNCC and Appy State.

Those 4 schools have peaked in their athletic endeavors, and have zero room for growth to another level. From A to Z, LU has a better athletic program than all 4 of those combined. Most are a "one horse show".

Throw JMU in there also.

[JK37]

Ball coach is glad someone else feels the way he does about ODU, VCU, UNCC and Appy State.

Those 4 schools have peaked in their athletic endeavors, and have zero room for growth to another level. From A to Z, LU has a better athletic program than all 4 of those combined. Most are a "one horse show".

Throw JMU in there also.

You say this like you’re the only one who feels that way. I do, for one. And plenty others too.

Haven’t heard the term “Christianphobe” before, but I like it!

[Lion1983]

Ball coach is glad someone else feels the way he does about ODU, VCU, UNCC and Appy State.

Those 4 schools have peaked in their athletic endeavors, and have zero room for growth to another level. From A to Z, LU has a better athletic program than all 4 of those combined. Most are a "one horse show".

Throw JMU in there also.

I may have an unpopular opinion, but all things considered, I think Liberty has more potential as an indy than join the AAC... it will not take long before more P5 schools are scheduling liberty home and home and you can dictate the other games...

[tyndal23]

Don’t worry Lion - I caught all the heat early for that same position. LU potential as an Indy is significant if JR and Ian embrace it and insist on committing to scheduling that way - same $ you would spend on joining a G5 can be paid out per season to “overpay” 1 for 1 games for lower caliber P5 teams to come to the Burg. IF you can’t quite get there one year, throw out the 6th FCS home game and go play at Vanderbilt or Pitt if you insist on “regional” but either schedule like a P5 and recruit to that or drop 2 of the P5 games you wont win with G5 talent and go for a “cure bowl eligible” record. ( i.e. - 2021 schedule ). I completely give them a pass on scheduling first 5 years due to limitations based on teams booking so far out - but really,really,really want to see 1) announced 2) executed

[Purple Haize]

Don’t worry Lion - I caught all the heat early for that same position. LU potential as an Indy is significant if JR and Ian embrace it and insist on committing to scheduling that way - same $ you would spend on joining a G5 can be paid out per season to “overpay” 1 for 1 games for lower caliber P5 teams to come to the Burg. IF you can’t quite get there one year, throw out the 6th FCS home game and go play at Vanderbilt or Pitt if you insist on “regional” but either schedule like a P5 and recruit to that or drop 2 of the P5 games you wont win with G5 talent and go for a “cure bowl eligible” record. ( i.e. - 2021 schedule ). I completely give them a pass on scheduling first 5 years due to limitations based on teams booking so far out - but really,really,really want to see 1) announced 2) executed

What? No game in Dallas in 2021?

[tyndal23]

If that’s what it takes to keep BYU playing us every year...

[ballcoach15]

The biggest advantage to joining a conference is a "bowl tie in". Other than that, it's probably better to stay independent, and schedule who you want.

[Purple Haize]

The biggest advantage to joining a conference is a "bowl tie in". Other than that, it's probably better to stay independent, and schedule who you want.

*can

[rogers3]

This quote is probably very close to the truth-

"Now, if Falwell would ever shut up and just be a college president, they would be in perfect shape."

[ballcoach15]

AAC Commissioner said the conference isn't going to solicit new member to replace UCONN, but if anyone wants to join, they can call, and they will listen.

[Class of 20Something]

AAC Commissioner said the conference isn't going to solicit new member to replace UCONN, but if anyone wants to join, they can call, and they will listen.

The Big XII had no intention of expanding Texas before they added TCU.

[Class of 20Something]

Reading the MBB non conference schedule thread is really locking me down on this. The American is the best thing for every sport not called football. I think you have to make that call that football has to deal with the ceiling it puts on it because the raised floor everywhere else is worth it.

[tyndal23]

I much prefer big boy schedule as Indy - keep winning ASUN conference championships in the other sports and making deep National Tourney runs. Baseball doesn’t need a better non P5 conference to field a Word Series team, Hoops - men/women/ Softball the same. G5 schools - no one cares about except for when they make a splash in a National Tourney - Our non FB facilities are as good as top tier G5 in any conference. We can consistently outspend and be dominate in ASUN and have an easier path to National Tourneys. No one remembers who the G5 conference champs are - they only remember what happens in National Tourneys when one of them makes a run. ( if u are still reading, yes that was a repeat worded slightly different ) Same “conservative/Christian” recruiting principle applies to other sports - we can get National top kids, fill our new arenas and win - that combined with FB being perceived as P5 equivalent would get LU a P5 level “status” across the board.

[Class of 20Something]

I think the best way to get our teams in a tournament is a multi bid league.

MBB
ASUN - 1
AAC - 4

WBB
ASUN - 1
AAC - 2

Softball
ASUN - 1
AAC - 3

Baseball
ASUN - 1
American - 3

I would rather compete against the UCFs, Cincys, and Houston all season in all sports and have a real shot at an at large.

Football gains 7 bowl game tie ins and a conference champ game. Liberty can still go P5 heavy in noncon and stop scheduling FCS to raise SoS. The American is alligned with the idea of making it P6 and Liberty can play into that.