http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/AMA/Division%20I...8%2010.pdf

Assuming Liberty can get such FCS schools from NC, Ga, VA, KY and TN. The magic number really appears to be four FBS home games. I can see Elon, JMU, NCCU, EKU, Richmond, WCU, Kennasaw,ETSU and others that will be glad to take Liberty's money to play there.

(05-15-2017 01:19 PM)msm96wolf Wrote:  http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/AMA/Division%20I...8%2010.pdf

Assuming Liberty can get such FCS schools from NC, Ga, VA, KY and TN. The magic number really appears to be four FBS home games. I can see Elon, JMU, NCCU, EKU, Richmond, WCU, Kennasaw,ETSU and others that will be glad to take Liberty's money to play there.

I don't see anything here to suggest that an FCS opponent can count as a home FBS opponent.

(05-15-2017 01:31 PM)ken d Wrote:  

(05-15-2017 01:19 PM)msm96wolf Wrote:  http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/AMA/Division%20I...8%2010.pdf

Assuming Liberty can get such FCS schools from NC, Ga, VA, KY and TN. The magic number really appears to be four FBS home games. I can see Elon, JMU, NCCU, EKU, Richmond, WCU, Kennasaw,ETSU and others that will be glad to take Liberty's money to play there.

I don't see anything here to suggest that an FCS opponent can count as a home FBS opponent.

Institutions shall schedule and play at least five regular season home contests against FBS opponents. [Bylaw 20.9.7.2]

Q. Is it permissible to count a contest against a NCAA Football Championship Subdivision
(FCS) opponent to satisfy the football scheduling requirement specified in Bylaw 20.9.7.2?

A. Each year, a FBS institution may count one contest against a FCS opponent to satisfy the
football scheduling requirement, provided the Football Championship Subdivision
opponent has averaged 90 percent of the permissible maximum number of grant-in-aids per
year in the FCS over a rolling two-year period. [Bylaws 20.9.7.2 and 20.9.7.2.1]

You still have to have 4 FBS home games. A 5th home game required- but that can be a FCS opponent.

And, in addition, you can claim one neutral-site game per year as a home game. (Both schools can't claim it.)
So if Liberty signs to play say Memphis in Nashville, that fills one spot.

(05-15-2017 02:14 PM)stever20 Wrote:  You still have to have 4 FBS home games. A 5th home game required- but that can be a FCS opponent.

Agreed, but you have to think having to find only four FBS to visit is easier than five. Especially since there are numerous FCS programs in the region. I just remember how people claimed independents would have difficulty getting 5 FBS home games. This does make it less challenging. UMASS, NMSU, ARMY, LIBERTY and BYU. At mininum, they should get two every year. Idaho decision to drop back to FCS is looking poorer and poorer. Add them, that would be 6 FBS Ind and they probably could have averaged two- three home games just for Independents to go along with the FCS game.

One thing I am curious about, never seen how the CFP will treat Liberty? I am assuming it will be the same as UMASS. Technically, NMSU becomes independent the same time as Liberty. Does anyone know or seen anything?

(05-15-2017 02:30 PM)johnbragg Wrote:  And, in addition, you can claim one neutral-site game per year as a home game. (Both schools can't claim it.)
So if Liberty signs to play say Memphis in Nashville, that fills one spot.

To me, that would be a great think to do with BYU and play in DC. I actually think that game would get great attendance from both sides.

Yes, since at least 2006 when the 12 game schedule, this has been allowed. Schools like Louisiana Monroe and Idaho do this. They have 4 SB home games and 1 FCS home game to get to 5. Without the FCS game, they would struggle to stay FBS.

(05-15-2017 02:41 PM)msm96wolf Wrote:  

(05-15-2017 02:30 PM)johnbragg Wrote:  And, in addition, you can claim one neutral-site game per year as a home game. (Both schools can't claim it.)
So if Liberty signs to play say Memphis in Nashville, that fills one spot.

To me, that would be a great think to do with BYU and play in DC. I actually think that game would get great attendance from both sides.

I don't know. I mean, it sounds great. But we've talked this idea up for UMAss, New Mexico State, and Idaho in the past, and there doesn't seem to be much appetite for it.

There's a logic to BYU vs Liberty at FedEx Field, or to Liberty or UMass or NMSU (or IDaho, RIP) going on the road as a "body bag game" to Buffalo vs Syracuse or to Charlotte or Nashville or Atlanta vs any number of SEC or ACC teams, or to Raymond Jones Stadium vs Mizzou or Arrowhead Field vs Kansas or K-State, etc etc.

But it doesn't seem to happen, which tells me it's not as attractive as it sounds. I think as big money football programs have developed their stadiums as revenue centers, the attractiveness of playing a fake road game in a pro stadium has declined.

EDIT: With the exception of Notre Dame, who I think plays a neutral site game every year around the country. And BYU has played a couple. So maybe it's a better idea for Liberty than for NMSU or UMASS. Could Liberty put together that sort of fanbase around the country? OR at least support a rotation between maybe FedEx Field, Charlotte's NFL stadium, maybe Jacksonville? I really don't know where Liberty could expect to sell 10 or 20,000 tickets, coupled with a P5 who's willing to play a game closer to the edge of their footprint.

Yup, 5 "FBS home homes" can be 3 FBS home game, + "1 FCS game against an FCS school that qualifies for the FCS exception game", + 1 "alternative home" FBS game.

Though Liberty may have enough money to pay a guarantee to get H/H contracts, and not need to do it with smoke & mirrors.

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(05-15-2017 06:05 PM)johnbragg Wrote:  But it doesn't seem to happen, which tells me it's not as attractive as it sounds. I think as big money football programs have developed their stadiums as revenue centers, the attractiveness of playing a fake road game in a pro stadium has declined.

There are season ticket sales and other donor issues ... for instance, each game that the bigger money donors don't get to use their privileged car parking & enhanced facilities that the hoi polloi do not get is one lost weekend of feeling superior. You maximize your season ticket sales and donor "level" contributions at the margin, where you find the people who are just over the edge of finding the season ticket / donor level worthwhile.