(05-29-2017 04:32 PM)Campaign4Liberty Wrote:  

(05-29-2017 03:54 PM)GE and MTS Wrote:  

(05-29-2017 03:10 PM)Campaign4Liberty Wrote:  In regards to the SBC talk earlier in this thread...after seeing our 2018 and 2019 schedule...do any of you really want a Sun Belt invite now? I would MUCH rather play our independent schedule than a SBC schedule...no offense to the SBC.

I wouldn't want a Sun Belt invite for football-only but I'd probably take an all-sports invite. I'd rather join C-USA but they aren't likely to expand unless they are gutted and if they are gutted then I don't know if I'd want to join.

I originally was in favor of a CUSA invite as well...but after seeing our 2018 and 2019 schedules, I would rather play as an independent than a CUSA schedule. We get the best of both worlds - local matchups with SBC and CUSA schools, with the P5 and Independent matchups we wouldn't have with a CUSA schedule. If we truly want to be a national brand, I believe independence is the way to go. We can schedule marquee matchups against other national brands and increase our own visibility in the process. I would MUCH rather play the Army's, BYU's, and 'Cuses of the world than UNCC and Marshall. The great part about independence is we can still schedule the CUSA schools should we so desire.

I have altered my position about being indy or with a conference. At present, with the quality of schedule that LU has amassed, I optimistically see it only improving with the creativity and out-of-the-box thinking an actions by the admins. I would lean toward staying indy, if and only if, LU is able within 3-5 years to be a legitimate FBS team posting winning records and earning a bowl birth on it's merits of wins. If LU lags in it's FBS credibility or takes a longer time to achieve it, the conference route would be the safer bet.

If the predominant attitudes expressed on the SBC board are any indication of the positions of the admins and leadership of the SBC school, then I would not want to be affiliated with the SBC. C-USA would be my first choice with the current lineup of schools as a full member. LU has the ability to be the most recognizable team within any conference, which may or may not sway some to accept LU as a conference pier. But winning and recognition equate to interest and appeal.

It all boils down to how LU succeeds in W's and L's. The quicker LU wins and gains credibility, the faster they will be appealing as a conference teammate. With more L's than W's, the longer LU will languish in indy land with little conference appeal.