NMSU is such an outlier though. They shouldn't have added them as a football only member if they weren't committed to getting a conference title game. I understand they added them with the intent to reach 12 members but then WKU left to drop them to 11. However, a defection should have been foreseen since that's what has always happened to the Sun Belt when CUSA comes calling. If I were them, I would have added UMass as a football only (or us but that's another can of worms) and given them the same agreement as NMSU and Idaho. Nothing against those schools because they are all fine institutions that I would be proud to have Liberty as co-members with at any level, but I don't think they fit the Sun Belt very well as anything other than football only.

(05-29-2015 08:19 PM)GE and MTS Wrote:  NMSU is such an outlier though. They shouldn't have added them as a football only member if they weren't committed to getting a conference title game. I understand they added them with the intent to reach 12 members but then WKU left to drop them to 11. However, a defection should have been foreseen since that's what has always happened to the Sun Belt when CUSA comes calling. If I were them, I would have added UMass as a football only (or us but that's another can of worms) and given them the same agreement as NMSU and Idaho. Nothing against those schools because they are all fine institutions that I would be proud to have Liberty as co-members with at any level, but I don't think they fit the Sun Belt very well as anything other than football only.

They are an outlier who happens to play pretty darn good basketball and baseball.

NMSU was invited because at the time, we had 10 Football playing Members, and NMSU plus Idaho gave us 12 and a league title game. When WKU left, it put us back at 11, and left the league in an unfortunate situation where the top expansion candidates left out there either had no interest in the SBC (JMU) or there was a large movement against inviting (Liberty)

If WKU had left prior to inviting NMSU and Idaho, I doubt either get into the league.

Looks like big changes coming @ByBerkowitz: 4 members of Congress plan to announce Thursday the re-introduction of bill "geared at protecting student athletes" and reforming the NCAA

What exactly does that mean?

There is currently smoke around Oklahoma and the Big 12. Could it amount to Oklahoma (and more) leaving the Big 12 or result in the conference inviting members to grow to 12 or beyond? We'll see. I'm skeptical of anything happening soon but stranger things have happened.

Some are suggesting OU and OK St. may go to the SEC. I just don't see that happening. The SEC doesn't want multiple schools from the same state. It waters down the money from ESPN. I could see OU and NC State being looked at. It appears OU is fed up with being pushed around by TX.

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I don't think Oklahoma wants to go to the SEC. They would have been #14 instead of Missouri if that were true. They, along with Oklahoma State were denied by both the PAC 12 and Big Ten if I remember correctly. Oklahoma State could make it difficult for Oklahoma to move but if they do move, I'd expect it to be to the Big Ten with Kansas.

I know we are working off of total speculation now, but I doubt the SEC would take Oklahoma and Oklahoma St. I could definitely see them taking one of those teams, but not both. And if they took one of those teams, they'd look east for the second team to match. I suspect they'd push hard for an ACC team like Va. Tech or N.C. State. My dark horse pick for the SEC would be ECU. Of course they could stay within the BIG 12 for their eastern school and take WVU. That would really stink. One day I had hoped WVU would end up in an ACC Super Conference.

The Pac-12 & B1G only wanted Oklahoma as a package deal with the Longhorns. I believe the SEC would love to have the Sooners ... the Cowboys, not so much.

ECU wouldn't even be considered. ECU is a fairly regional school in eastern nc. Although they've had some success lately they fail in comparison to Va Tech , UNC, NC State or Duke. I think Clemson would be a good add, but SC would never go for that and it wouldn't help to gain access to a new state.

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I'm not convinced that an ACC team would move to the SEC. And if one didn't ECU would give the SEC a new state, a winning team, and a large fan base (based on game attendance). It would be a super long shot, that's why I called it a dark horse.

Rumor has it that Coastal Carolina is headed to the the Sun Belt. If it's true, good for them. As long as there is an open slot as the last chance for an FCS to go FBS, I believe we'll hold out to get that invite. Once anyone fills that hole, then we won't have a choice but to force our way into FBS as independent for better or for worse.

Yes, I have heard both EKU and CCU are solid names being bantered about. That'd be great for both those programs if FBS is their aspiration.

Since Coastal isn't ready for FBS football, will the Big South allow Coastal to move their Olympic sports to the Sun Belt, but keep football in the Big South until they're ready for FBS? I can't imagine Liberty would be OK with that scenario. On a side note, the LU administration will put a positive spin on this, but CC getting a call up before Liberty really has to be painful to Jerry Jr. and Barber. It's painful to me.

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I'd be happy for Coastal. If there is any more realignment in the Sunbelt, they may be in our corner.

Like others here, I harbor no ill will towards Coastal if they get the invite to FBS. It would make this season's game very intense. In an ironic twist, it may be the best for LU. The indy had seemed to be LU's best option after multiple years of being passed over.

(07-25-2015 09:52 PM)Libertygrad01 Wrote:  Since Coastal isn't ready for FBS football, will the Big South allow Coastal to move their Olympic sports to the Sun Belt, but keep football in the Big South until they're ready for FBS? I can't imagine Liberty would be OK with that scenario. On a side note, the LU administration will put a positive spin on this, but CC getting a call up before Liberty really has to be painful to Jerry Jr. and Barber. It's painful to me.

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If Coastal is invited and moves - you may be correct that Liberty would not support Coastal staying in the Big South as football only during the transition - especially if it takes multiple years. On the other hand, Coastal could be an ally and supporter of Liberty if further Sun Belt expansion happens (if someone leaves or if Idaho and/or NMSU are not renewed as football only members) or if Liberty goes independent and needs help filling out its schedule , so it may not be worth the short-term satisfaction to sacrifice long-term support.

(07-25-2015 09:52 PM)Libertygrad01 Wrote:  Since Coastal isn't ready for FBS football, will the Big South allow Coastal to move their Olympic sports to the Sun Belt, but keep football in the Big South until they're ready for FBS? I can't imagine Liberty would be OK with that scenario. On a side note, the LU administration will put a positive spin on this, but CC getting a call up before Liberty really has to be painful to Jerry Jr. and Barber. It's painful to me.

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The Big South is hurting for football members as it is, especially ones that are full Big South members. I doubt they'd kick Coastal out.

I don't think Liberty would do anything to hinder a CCU move to FBS. I think LU would do whatever it could to help facilitate the move for CCU. After all, we are trying to get to the same place. Folks at LU wouldn't want other schools or conferences working against their own move to FBS. It's all about relationships.

I think it is becoming very clear the only way Liberty will make it to FBS is as an Independent. SBC has no interest in LU and no other conference has shown an interest.

I don't think the Big South does anything more than shake their i Coastelndex finger against Coastal. I also would hope that LU wouldn't do anything to harm what I perceive to be a good relationship with Coastal. We have alot to lose should we be that foolish- they could be an advocate for us with the Sun Belt for future membership and for scheduling. We have a great rivalry with them that we should continue for as long as possible. Besides as many of the SBC trolls have stated, we can always use a trip to the Myrtle Beach area.

That said, if we're still in the Big South when they leave, we need to use their model to get our invite or until the rules change. We remain the biggest fish in the Big South pond, getting our playoff bids, and making good runs in the playoffs. Getting a whole lot better in MBB wouldn't hurt either.