(11-19-2020 08:45 AM)The Cutter of Bish Wrote:  I would think it gets easier for FCS schools to jump to FBS with the impact (current and future) of Covid and transfer rules. Seems draconian that any way in has to deal with conference location and politics. I got the sense EKU had the actual infrastructure for FBS/Sun Belt, but location had a lot to do with Coastal getting the nod (as evident by the initial stadium issue). It must suck to get a no and have the resources available to operate at FBS, but no conference takers. Liberty was right to challenge the rule, and I think it makes it easier for others to bypass politics and location bias. I fully expect at least EKU to jump up to FBS.

Liberty is kind of unique in its ability to schedule as an independent. It also has BYUesque long term goals

I just don't think EKU could pull off financially what Liberty has done in terms of upgrades and being able to put together exciting schedules for their fanbase.

Army, BYU, and Liberty are really the only ones that can make independence work long term. You can count ND too I guess but really they are ACC minus 3 games. NMSU, UMass, and UConn don't desire to be independent but it's better than downgrading to FCS at this time.