[Purple Haize]

http://www.libertyflamesnation.com/2013 ... -huge.html

WKU is no longer in the Sun Belt, yet they are on this map......

[Kricket]

In February, they weren't officially gone yet. NMSU and Idaho aren't on it either.

[JK37]

...Which causes me to wonder when this was made, or when the email was sent?

Looking at the map had me wondering what would be a good site fo a championship game. Forgiivng such outliers as NMSU and Idaho, both Atlanta and Birmingham seem like they would be pretty central locations. What does everyone else think?

[SumItUp]

E-mail was sent in late February.

[TallyW]

Looks like we're in good shape. We're getting in... just a matter of timing. Until the top conferences are maxed out we have plenty of reason to be confident. Their moves always find a way down the line.

[Kricket]

Yeah, sorry, updated link: http://www.libertyflamesnation.com/2013 ... t.html?m=1

[Blessed1]

In that email from Benson to Bourne, it insinuates that WKU is not factored into the equation or that both WKU and S. Alabama would be in the west division. I'm kind of shocked that S. Alabama and Troy are willing to be split. I'm sure if JMU rejects an invite, S. Alabama will stay in the east.

I hope that Liberty gets in regardless of JMU's decision. Sometimes I wonder if Benson is throwing Liberty in there to show the presidents how LU fits in nicely with JMU and App St.

[jbock13]

That's pretty big news, yet nobody is commenting on it. I don't understand people sometimes. haha.

[Purple Haize]

JMU is waiting until the last possible second for the MAC or CUSA to offer. CUSA is waiting till the last second to offer a team from the SBC. The SBC is waiting to see what JMU is going to do and what team they will lose. Would love to see the SBC step up to the plate and put a deadline on JMU and move on.

[rmiller1959]

Yeah, sorry, updated link: http://www.libertyflamesnation.com/2013 ... t.html?m=1

This certainly gives some insight into Commissioner Benson's thinking, but there still needs to be concurrence from the presidents of the other schools in the conference.

Purely from a football perspective, Liberty would have some tough games in that eastern division. I don't know the whole Liberty-JMU story since I've only been here a year and a half, but the only game I ever witnessed between JMU and Liberty (September 2011) was competitive until the end, when JMU kicked a field goal as time expired to win the game. I judged from that result that we could at least hold our own against them.

[LUGrad2000]

Package Deal! JMU and LU!

[SumItUp]

That's pretty big news, yet nobody is commenting on it. I don't understand people sometimes. haha.

Pick your poison:

A/ Realignment fatigue
B/ The Dark Side
C/ waiting on the "More to come....." from LFN
D/ FF posters have bosses that implemented new internet policy

[alabama24]

We still desperately need to get college presidents on our campus somehow.

Offer free pizza?

[Sly Fox]

I am glad to see the jcmanson & BYD stepping up to make the FOI requests. For many reasons, that is not something I could have done. Like the rest, I am anxious to see further details. But as rmiller1959 & SumItUp have mentioned, it is not Benson's mind we have to change. It is the mindset of those voting presidents (and keep in mind some of the newer entrants are not yet voting members).

I am anxious to see more of the correspondence to get a greater context.

alabama24 - I suspect it is a tad more complicated but I appreciate the enthusiasm.

[alabama24]

alabama24 - I suspect it is a tad more complicated but I appreciate the enthusiasm.

Candygram?

http://www.spike.com/video-clips/gytf2i/land-shark

[jbock13]

That's pretty big news, yet nobody is commenting on it. I don't understand people sometimes. haha.

Pick your poison:

A/ Realignment fatigue
B/ The Dark Side
C/ waiting on the "More to come....." from LFN
D/ FF posters have bosses that implemented new internet policy

Can I pick two? B and C. Final answer.

[flamesfilmguy]

I hate to be a debbie downer but that map doesn't tell me anything and doesn't do one bit of good helping clear this all up. Idaho and NMSU were'nt on there and benson moved on them pretty quickly after that email was sent. His view changed. If its between us and JMU then I'm not holding my breath.

[Sly Fox]

Open lobbying in the Atchafalaya Basin ....

Conference USA eyes expansion to 16 teams; UL possible candidate
UL, ASU couldbe candidates

Apr. 9, 2013 1:52 PM | Written by Tim Buckley

Reacting to a national website story regarding potential Conference USA expansion, UL athletic director Scott Farmer said Monday that the Ragin’ Cajuns have interest in joining a 16-member C-USA.

Conference USA’s rumored contemplation of an increase to 16 is not new, but commissioner Britton Banowsky did publicly acknowledge the possibility in a CBSSports.com report.

“I think the number of teams isn’t as important as the teams we would compete against,” Farmer said. “We want our athletic teams facing the best competition possible.

“Yeah, we’d be interested. Yes. I would want to look at division alignment and dive into that, but sure we’d be interested.”

Click Here for Full Story

[Blessed1]

And the beat goes on...

Despite how hard some Sun Belt presidents are trying to keep other schools out, after a while it won't even matter. Before you know it, Liberty, Jax St, SHSU, and Lamar will be in the Sunbelt before 2016. I guess the "WAC east" plan is going to come into fruition anyway.

[bluedevilflame]

It's encouraging seeing the dominoes fall our way now, the Sun Belt will have no other choice than to expand with us, Jax State and JMU like was said

[VAGolf]

I think the SunBelt is in a position where 12 isn't enough. Due to the new post-season format, the C-USA, MWC and AAC would benefit by eliminating the SunBelt. Hopefully, Benson understands this and invites more than one team.

To all of those saying that the news now is similar to the realignment news of the past, wake up. We've been in discussions with the SunBelt for a while, yes. Probably even had some talks with the CUSA too. We've never received this much attention in the media until now. There's almost a new article every week that mentions us and the SunBelt. Of course, we still may not get invited, but we're closer now than we've ever been.

[PatrickKelly]

I think if it were up to Benson alone we may already have an invite. The hurdle is convincing the Presidents to vote yes on Liberty.

[TH Spangler]

After reading all the negative internet chatter on other sites ... even if it takes a year or two, any football win over several schools will be mighty sweet.

[Humble_Opinion]

I hate to be a member of the dark side but that map doesn't tell me anything and doesn't do one bit of good helping clear this all up. Idaho and NMSU were'nt on there and benson moved on them pretty quickly after that email was sent. His view changed. If its between us and JMU then I'm not holding my breath.

FIFY

[LUconn]

I think the question is less will we be invited and more when we are invited, what crap leftover teams will we be with?