[Purple Haize]

zero chance

I say we will get an invite next year. SBC is holding their breath for JMU and it won't happen next year. No one else is close and TV contracts are coming up I assume. It seems the SBC is forfeiting a year of Championship game money and notoriety to see who else is available. They won't waste another

[Liberty22]

http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2013 ... rence.html

There you have.. Sun Belt says a big fat F U to L U (not literally but kinda lol)

[bluedevilflame]

I've decided it's going to take another team or two to leave the Sun Belt for us to get in. It seems like unless there is no other option they will not take us. Is what it is I guess.

[Purple Haize]

I've decided it's going to take another team or two to leave the Sun Belt for us to get in. It seems like unless there is no other option they will not take us. Is what it is I guess.

1 or 2 WILL leave. They are going to have no choice next year but to take whoever they can get GUARANTEED none of this 'Wait for us' like JMU is doing. If you are ready and you want in, you will be in.

[Cider Jim]

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[Blessed1]

I think Ark State and UL-Lafayette eventually leaves for C-USA. I've read that UAB prefers western teams to get to 16 so that they can stay in the eastern division. This may explain why ODU is not so gung-ho about expanding right now since they want JMU in the fold.

Then there's always the WAC idea... Uhhhhh, never mind.

[VAGolf]

It doesn't surprise me. I didn't expect anything concerning LU to be announced today. On the other hand, I don't believe the SunBelt will be in existence much longer, regardless if they bring in Liberty or not. Bringing us in, or anyone for that matter, will only delay the inevitable. The other conferences would be better off if the SunBelt didn't exists, and I guarantee you the C-USA will raid soon. It's obvious though that Benson can't just keep adding teams once they lose somebody. Not everyone wants in the conference, and among the teams that do want in, they aren't ready (except for us of course).

I have no idea where we stand (not that my prediction matters anyway). Don't buy into the "they have to add us eventually" mentality. It's obvious that they don't have to add us. Likewise, don't buy the whole "well, if it isn't happening now, I guess it won't ever happen" mentality either. Right now, the presidents don't feel that we're a good fit. That could be based on a number of reasons, but I don't think anyone truly knows.

Like most of you, I'm a die-hard Liberty fan. And like all of you, I would love to see us move to the next level. Ultimately however, it doesn't matter where we end up, even if that means we never go FBS. God has big plans for this school. As long as we stay focused on Him, those plans will undoubtedly take place. The presidents can block us if they want, but our God is bigger than any number of university presidents.

[rmiller1959]

It doesn't surprise me. I didn't expect anything concerning LU to be announced today. On the other hand, I don't believe the SunBelt will be in existence much longer, regardless if they bring in Liberty or not. Bringing us in, or anyone for that matter, will only delay the inevitable. The other conferences would be better off if the SunBelt didn't exists, and I guarantee you the C-USA will raid soon. It's obvious though that Benson can't just keep adding teams once they lose somebody. Not everyone wants in the conference, and among the teams that do want in, they aren't ready (except for us of course).

I have no idea where we stand (not that my prediction matters anyway). Don't buy into the "they have to add us eventually" mentality. It's obvious that they don't have to add us. Likewise, don't buy the whole "well, if it isn't happening now, I guess it won't ever happen" mentality either. Right now, the presidents don't feel that we're a good fit. That could be based on a number of reasons, but I don't think anyone truly knows.

Like most of you, I'm a die-hard Liberty fan. And like all of you, I would love to see us move to the next level. Ultimately however, it doesn't matter where we end up, even if that means we never go FBS. God has big plans for this school. As long as we stay focused on Him, those plans will undoubtedly take place. The presidents can block us if they want, but our God is bigger than any number of university presidents.

Amen!

[flamehunter]

Well said, VAGolf.

[PatrickKelly]

Let's not forget a private school has not been added to FBS in around 30 years. I think we're fighting an uphill battle. Indepedent would be tough, but may be the only way to go. First step would be to petition the ncaa.

[jbock13]

Let's not forget a private school has not been added to FBS in around 30 years. I think we're fighting an uphill battle. Indepedent would be tough, but may be the only way to go. First step would be to petition the ncaa.

No.

[LUconn]

I think that's more because all of the privates that want to be FBS and have the money, already are. What is that al.com? Is that a newspaper? Because just yesterday they said that the meetings were about which team they were going to get for the 12th member that was needed for the championship game that they wrote about as if it was already a given.

[Sly Fox]

al.com is a combined website for a bunch of newspapers in Alabama. It could be writers from different papers with different sources working the same angles.

[Purple Haize]

Let's not forget a private school has not been added to FBS in around 30 years. I think we're fighting an uphill battle. Indepedent would be tough, but may be the only way to go. First step would be to petition the ncaa.

No.

The Dark Side sees no reasoning behind this. And we are warped and twisted bunch!

[NotAJerry]

Let's not forget a private school has not been added to FBS in around 30 years. I think we're fighting an uphill battle. Indepedent would be tough, but may be the only way to go. First step would be to petition the ncaa.

[bluedevilflame]

Devil's (pun intended) advocate, what is our other option other than petitioning for independence? The Sun Belt will only take us if they absolutely have to, realistically the MAC and C-USA will not take us so we aren't left with many options to jump up.

Personally I think at this point we simply need a better home in FCS, I'd prefer CAA but who knows if they'd even take us.

[jbock13]

Like Tiger Woods said, winning takes care of everything.

[Purple Haize]

Devil's (pun intended) advocate, what is our other option other than petitioning for independence? The Sun Belt will only take us if they absolutely have to, realistically the MAC and C-USA will not take us so we aren't left with many options to jump up.

Personally I think at this point we simply need a better home in FCS, I'd prefer CAA but who knows if they'd even take us.

That's sorta the point. By next year if the SBC wants to remain viable they will HAVE to take us. They will already have lost 1 year of extra money for a Championship game and they won't want to lose a number. Outside of JMU, no other team can ramp up in time for the following year, and JMU will STILL decline and/or get a CUSA or MAC invite. At 11 teams they need one more add to that another 1 or 2 defections and they will have slim pickings......which leads back to us

In fact, the Dark Side may now turn its diabolical influence towards the SBC. You don't want us now....but just you wait....soon you will see that your worst fear has become your only salvation...<insert evil laugh track>

[Blessed1]

I forgot which writer made this statement, but he said that if the Sun Belt does not take Liberty now, then the Sun Belt probably will not take them next year either. He felt that way because Liberty's FBS-ready status, politics, and beliefs will not change. I tend to agree with him in that regard.

For the heck of it, let's say the Sun Belt lose 1-2 more schools to C-USA in 2014. What might happen is JMU, Mo State, and even Jacksonville St would still be considered the front runners. If JMU say no again, Mo State say they're not ready again, and Troy and S. Alabama says no to Jax State again, the Sun Belt may decide to scrap the 12 football team plan and decide to wait again... We've heard this song before. It's time to change the CD from the CD player.

I'm not changing my stance on the issue. I feel that Liberty needs to petition the NCAA to become Indy or be proactive with the schools from the Southland conference and Missouri Valley football conference to try to resurrect the WAC.

[Purple Haize]

I forgot which writer made this statement, but he said that if the Sun Belt does not take Liberty now, then the Sun Belt probably will not take them next year either. He felt that way because Liberty's FBS-ready status, politics, and beliefs will not change. I tend to agree with him in that regard.

For the heck of it, let's say the Sun Belt lose 1-2 more schools to C-USA in 2014. What might happen is JMU, Mo State, and even Jacksonville St would still be considered the front runners. If JMU say no again, Mo State stay their not ready again, and Troy and S. Alabama says no to Jax State again, the Sun Belt may decide to scrap the 12 football team plan and decide to wait again... We've heard this song before. It's time to change the CD from the CD player.

I'm not changing my stance on the issue. I feel that Liberty needs to petition the NCAA to become Indy or be proactive with the schools from the Southland conference and Missouri Valley football conference to try to resurrect the WAC.

If the SBC scraps the 12 team model they will be signing their death warrant. We will be in the same situation next year as this BUT with the added bonus of JMU def saying no as they will be a member of CUSA or theMAC.
What are the positives of suing to be Independent? Other than having an FBS name tag? We won't be eligible for an actual Bowl, we will have no chance to win anything but games. And even that is a bit dodgy. Who will we play? Who will play us, especially at home? On the plus side I guess it could be Biblical because we'd be wandering around the Football desert for years and years.

[Blessed1]

If the SBC scraps the 12 team model they will be signing their death warrant. We will be in the same situation next year as this BUT with the added bonus of JMU def saying no as they will be a member of CUSA or theMAC.
What are the positives of suing to be Independent? Other than having an FBS name tag? We won't be eligible for an actual Bowl, we will have no chance to win anything but games. And even that is a bit dodgy. Who will we play? Who will play us, especially at home? On the plus side I guess it could be Biblical because we'd be wandering around the Football desert for years and years.

The positive of petitioning (not suiting) the NCAA for independence is the fact that Liberty is a private school and if they are granted independence, Liberty can continue to be themselves, if you will. In other words, there will be no more pigeonholing or conforming to what the public schools want.

I think the obvious teams to play Liberty are religious-based schools such as Baylor, TCU, and BYU. Getting them to come to the 'Burg would be quite a task. Unless you pay them to come play. I'll admit that a business model like that is not preferred.

If Liberty decides to go that route, arrangements have to be made beforehand. In other words, we have to stay proactive in finding scheduling-partners while the NCAA is reviewing our petition. A decision like this would not be made overnight; you have to plan carefully.

[Purple Haize]

Even if you could get those schools, you would only have 3 games, 2 of which would be before a 'regular' season schedule. I believe you have to have 5 home FBS games a year, where will they come from? But even then, what is the benefit? We aren't going to a Bowl game. You think it is hard to recruit now, you will be hamstringing the program going FBS Independent. At least now we can recruit for a promise of FBS and the fact that we can make the play offs and win a championship.
I'm sure you are a wonderful person and the assets you possess for the Human Race are great, but this is simply the silliest idea out there. It's basically saying We want to be FBS for no reason then saying we are FBS. It gives the appearance of hanging with the cool kids without actually hanging with the cool kids

[Blessed1]

Haize, thanks for the kind words regarding my character... I agree with you that this idea is bit extreme. If anything, it would be a last-option move to FBS. I will say this - I believe that in the end, everything will work out for the good for Liberty. I have no worries in that department. I'll admit that this whole waiting thing is a tad annoying. I just have to learn to be content on this matter.

[WinthropEagleFan]

And in the 'petition for FBS Independent' plan, is that for all sports? If not, where would the other non-football sports play?

[ATrain]

And in the 'petition for FBS Independent' plan, is that for all sports? If not, where would the other non-football sports play?

A. They stay in the Big South
B. We go Indy in everything
C. H-e-double hockey sticks freezes over and we get an invite to the A-10 or the fooballless Big East.

Tho of course, its silly to even consider any of that. Per our great and fearless leader Haize, The Dark Side is channeling the Force to get us into the SunBelt.