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ODU1986 Offline
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Regional Conference?
With the economic sense a Sunbelt CUSA realignment makes, do you all believe it would be something Liberty would be interested in?

North - Liberty, ODU, JMU, Marshall, Charlotte, App St.

South - WKU, MTSU, UAB, Ga St, GSU, Coastal.


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07-08-2017 11:40 AM
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NewTimes Offline
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RE: Regional Conference?
(07-08-2017 11:40 AM)ODU1986 Wrote:  With the economic sense a Sunbelt CUSA realignment makes, do you all believe it would be something Liberty would be interested in?

North - Liberty, ODU, JMU, Marshall, Charlotte, App St.

South - WKU, MTSU, UAB, Ga St, GSU, Coastal.


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It may make sense but I'd be very surprised if LU was extended an invite and if LU was to accept. If there were shifts in the AAC, and C-USA had a slot that would seem a more likely scenario. LUs history with the SBC had been anything other than mutually appealing.
07-08-2017 12:56 PM
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ODU1986 Offline
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Regional Conference?
I believe ODU would welcome a conference affiliation with both Liberty and JMU. I just suspect Liberty may aspire to have a much larger national footprint than a regional conference can provide.


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(This post was last modified: 07-08-2017 01:36 PM by ODU1986.)
07-08-2017 01:32 PM
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NewTimes Offline
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RE: Regional Conference?
(07-08-2017 01:32 PM)ODU1986 Wrote:  I believe ODU would welcome a conference affiliation with both Liberty and JMU. I just suspect Liberty may aspire to have a much larger national footprint than a regional conference can provide.


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The SBC invite snub is reminiscent of the Southern Conference snub some years ago that LU experienced. It's true LU likely has the highest ambitions among ODU, JMU, App St and most all other colleges in the region. The circumstances are different this time and I could see LU being a part of and attracted to a regional FBS grouping. Now as LU gains credibility and awareness in the FBS setting, those other schools may then feel a regional alliance without LU would be beneficial. For the foreseeable future, a regional alliance would seem to serve LU and the others well. And that is likely to change in 10+ years as LU gains a national following and develops it's program to be FBS competitive.
(This post was last modified: 07-08-2017 03:02 PM by NewTimes.)
07-08-2017 03:01 PM
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GE and MTS Offline
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RE: Regional Conference?
I think Liberty would join any FBS conference that asked. I don't think Liberty has any sort of desire to be independent like Notre Dame but rather are doing it out of necessity. It is my understanding that Liberty was denied their application (whether officially or not) to the Sun Belt, MAC, and CUSA.

The real value for Liberty would be to upgrade the conference of the non-football sports from the Big South to something else. That would help Liberty get to where they want to go better than their current set up.

I do think Liberty has a leg up on JMU as Liberty is already transitioning to FBS. Liberty lacks being part of one of the current conferences which hurts Liberty finding a home in a brand new conference. To dissolve a current conference, you'll need the votes and the only way to get the votes of the members is to ensure enough find homes. No one needs Liberty's vote so I don't imagine Liberty being a priority add.
(This post was last modified: 07-08-2017 05:40 PM by GE and MTS.)
07-08-2017 05:38 PM
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RE: Regional Conference?
(07-08-2017 11:40 AM)ODU1986 Wrote:  With the economic sense a Sunbelt CUSA realignment makes, do you all believe it would be something Liberty would be interested in?

North - Liberty, ODU, JMU, Marshall, Charlotte, App St.

South - WKU, MTSU, UAB, Ga St, GSU, Coastal.


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Would they be interested? Yes. Would it happen? No.
07-08-2017 08:11 PM
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RE: Regional Conference?
Liberty would join that hypothetical conference in a heart beat. That would be an awesome G-5 level conference too if it were ever to come to fruition.

That said despite Liberty previously being more formally snubbed by the Sun Belt, I believe Liberty would also accept an invitation from them in a heart beat as well. Just as I believe the Sun Belt would roll out the red carpet if JMU ever asked to join them. However, I don't see either of these happening. I think our most probable home is going to be CUSA after some more realignment within the next few years.

From what I've been able to conclude through all of the various articles and boards that I've read is that the MAC and CUSA's league offices didn't appear to have any interest when Liberty initially and informally approached them. The Sun Belt's Commisioner and and Office did, but the University Presidents did not. However, CUSA's interests towards us became more favorable when it appeared that the Big 12 was going to expand. Stating the obvious, now that we're 1-A, and with decent success on the football field and a better basketball team will change the the way all of the G-5 conferences view us. Which is was JLFJR and McCaw both said in February.
(This post was last modified: 07-10-2017 09:05 AM by LibertyOrangeman.)
07-10-2017 08:50 AM
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ODU1986 Offline
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Regional Conference?
Well I think it's pretty clear that ODU has no issue with Liberty, and I also believe ODU would much prefer to be in a regional conference.

We also know that JMU has stated they would move to 1A if the proper opportunity presented itself.

Seems to me it's really just a matter of time until ODU, Liberty, and JMU are all in the same conference, whatever the regional make up of that conference may be.


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(This post was last modified: 07-10-2017 12:27 PM by ODU1986.)
07-10-2017 12:27 PM
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Ewglenn Offline
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RE: Regional Conference?
I think the regional conferences make sense. It would allow ODU JMU and LU to battle for Virginia. Add CCU in there and LU has another game both fan bases will get fired up about. App and Marshall would give a strong top of the conference. Ga St would allow for the conference championship to be held in Atlanta. It just makes a lot of sense.
07-10-2017 12:41 PM
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Cinciflame Offline
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RE: Regional Conference?
App State isn't moving anywhere without Ga Southern, so any scenario would include both of them.
07-10-2017 05:38 PM
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GE and MTS Offline
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RE: Regional Conference?
I think a conference ranging from Virginia to Florida would offer a great combination of proximity and recruiting areas.

Marshall, ODU, Liberty, App State, Charlotte, WKU

MTSU, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Coastal Carolina, FIU, FAU

Protected crossovers would be WKU-MTSU, App State-Georgia Southern, Liberty-Coastal Carolina. It isn't compact enough to be hurtful like the MAC but not spread too thin. Olympic sports have travel partners and schedules to avoid the long distance conference mates if they aren't desirable.
07-10-2017 05:46 PM
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Regional Conference?
(07-10-2017 05:46 PM)GE and MTS Wrote:  Marshall, ODU, Liberty, App State, Charlotte, WKU

MTSU, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Coastal Carolina, FIU, FA

I like this one.
07-10-2017 06:37 PM
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msm96wolf Offline
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RE: Regional Conference?
(07-10-2017 06:37 PM)army56mike Wrote:  
(07-10-2017 05:46 PM)GE and MTS Wrote:  Marshall, ODU, Liberty, App State, Charlotte, WKU

MTSU, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Coastal Carolina, FIU, FA

I like this one.

I like it as well but would change the divisions. Crossover Rival and not have more than one state in a division.

Ga South - Ga State
App State - Charlotte
Liberty - ODU
FIU - FAU
WKU - Marshall
MTSU - Coastal
07-10-2017 08:23 PM
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Liberty Fan Offline
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RE: Regional Conference?
To help with cost I look for the G5 to realign into regional conferences, but to be honest I like LU football playing Indy. If offered LU probably would accept an invite though. Playing close by road games in Norfolk and Harrisonburg would keep me jumping.
07-11-2017 06:00 AM
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Ewglenn Offline
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RE: Regional Conference?
You guys do need to think about some other factors. The Indy route is okay. You will schedule typically 8-9 G5 games 1 FCS and 2-3 P5 games per year. So really with a regional conference you would still be able to do the same scheduling with keeping cost down. You would also be able to dramatically improve you Olympic sports conference. Playing those teams regularly in basketball would help attendance. Football would look something like this...

@UVA
Norfolk St
Miss St
@Ga South
App St
@FIU
Marshall
@ WKU
@ MTSU
CCU
@ BYU
ODU
07-11-2017 07:26 AM
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msm96wolf Offline
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RE: Regional Conference?
One thing, it will take some NCAA rule changes and willingness to allow these changes. I don't see this even until after 2025. I am rooting for Liberty as an Indy. I think Umass, Liberty, BYU, NMSU should try to get some bowl tie-ins as the highest ranked or best record with some bowls like Bahama, Boca, Cure, Mobile, Montgomery or other similar bowls. I have the tie-in with 3 bowls every 3 years. Also, this type move could encourage other schools to try indendence.
07-11-2017 03:36 PM
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RE: Regional Conference?
(07-10-2017 05:46 PM)GE and MTS Wrote:  I think a conference ranging from Virginia to Florida would offer a great combination of proximity and recruiting areas.

Marshall, ODU, Liberty, App State, Charlotte, WKU

MTSU, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Coastal Carolina, FIU, FAU

Protected crossovers would be WKU-MTSU, App State-Georgia Southern, Liberty-Coastal Carolina. It isn't compact enough to be hurtful like the MAC but not spread too thin. Olympic sports have travel partners and schedules to avoid the long distance conference mates if they aren't desirable.

MAC is a double edge sword. They have lower travel costs (bus league) but it is a congested conference (does not help recruiting). Liberty has a higher ceiling IMO.
07-12-2017 11:17 AM
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GE and MTS Offline
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RE: Regional Conference?
(07-12-2017 11:17 AM)WesternSkillet Wrote:  
(07-10-2017 05:46 PM)GE and MTS Wrote:  I think a conference ranging from Virginia to Florida would offer a great combination of proximity and recruiting areas.

Marshall, ODU, Liberty, App State, Charlotte, WKU

MTSU, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Coastal Carolina, FIU, FAU

Protected crossovers would be WKU-MTSU, App State-Georgia Southern, Liberty-Coastal Carolina. It isn't compact enough to be hurtful like the MAC but not spread too thin. Olympic sports have travel partners and schedules to avoid the long distance conference mates if they aren't desirable.

MAC is a double edge sword. They have lower travel costs (bus league) but it is a congested conference (does not help recruiting). Liberty has a higher ceiling IMO.

We agree about the MAC and Liberty's ceiling. However, Liberty must walk and even crawl before it can run. Liberty won't just jump up to the Alabama and Ohio State level. I think independence is better than most G5 conferences but our non-football sports are suffering in the Big South.
07-12-2017 08:17 PM
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NewTimes Offline
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RE: Regional Conference?
(07-12-2017 08:17 PM)GE and MTS Wrote:  
(07-12-2017 11:17 AM)WesternSkillet Wrote:  
(07-10-2017 05:46 PM)GE and MTS Wrote:  I think a conference ranging from Virginia to Florida would offer a great combination of proximity and recruiting areas.

Marshall, ODU, Liberty, App State, Charlotte, WKU

MTSU, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Coastal Carolina, FIU, FAU

Protected crossovers would be WKU-MTSU, App State-Georgia Southern, Liberty-Coastal Carolina. It isn't compact enough to be hurtful like the MAC but not spread too thin. Olympic sports have travel partners and schedules to avoid the long distance conference mates if they aren't desirable.

MAC is a double edge sword. They have lower travel costs (bus league) but it is a congested conference (does not help recruiting). Liberty has a higher ceiling IMO.

We agree about the MAC and Liberty's ceiling. However, Liberty must walk and even crawl before it can run. Liberty won't just jump up to the Alabama and Ohio State level. I think independence is better than most G5 conferences but our non-football sports are suffering in the Big South.
Agree on both points. Would LU we better off, at the current time, playing in the SBC in FB? Not really. It was a good move for App St and the GA's but not for LU. LU is uniquely in the position to be an indy and play a competitive schedule of G5 and P5 schools. The SBC often bemoans the lack of P5 schools having home games with P5 teams.

The sooner that LU can relocate the olympic sports from the BSC the better. At present it provides LU an acceptable league to keep the sports while LU FB transitions to FBS. But an active effort should be made to relocate the other sports to a more predominate league, even if travel is involved. In whatever the requirements are for all or a portion of the sports being in multiple leagues, that should be a priority in having them achieving a better conference(s). LU, when full FBS in FB, and remaining in the BSC still gives the perception and identify of being a mid to low level FCS program. Not a FBS school.
(This post was last modified: 07-13-2017 07:27 AM by NewTimes.)
07-13-2017 07:27 AM
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Bobcat2013 Offline
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RE: Regional Conference?
(07-13-2017 07:27 AM)NewTimes Wrote:  
(07-12-2017 08:17 PM)GE and MTS Wrote:  
(07-12-2017 11:17 AM)WesternSkillet Wrote:  
(07-10-2017 05:46 PM)GE and MTS Wrote:  I think a conference ranging from Virginia to Florida would offer a great combination of proximity and recruiting areas.

Marshall, ODU, Liberty, App State, Charlotte, WKU

MTSU, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Coastal Carolina, FIU, FAU

Protected crossovers would be WKU-MTSU, App State-Georgia Southern, Liberty-Coastal Carolina. It isn't compact enough to be hurtful like the MAC but not spread too thin. Olympic sports have travel partners and schedules to avoid the long distance conference mates if they aren't desirable.



MAC is a double edge sword. They have lower travel costs (bus league) but it is a congested conference (does not help recruiting). Liberty has a higher ceiling IMO.

We agree about the MAC and Liberty's ceiling. However, Liberty must walk and even crawl before it can run. Liberty won't just jump up to the Alabama and Ohio State level. I think independence is better than most G5 conferences but our non-football sports are suffering in the Big South.
Agree on both points. Would LU we better off, at the current time, playing in the SBC in FB? Not really. It was a good move for App St and the GA's but not for LU. LU is uniquely in the position to be an indy and play a competitive schedule of G5 and P5 schools. The SBC often bemoans the lack of P5 schools having home games with P5 teams.

The sooner that LU can relocate the olympic sports from the BSC the better. At present it provides LU an acceptable league to keep the sports while LU FB transitions to FBS. But an active effort should be made to relocate the other sports to a more predominate league, even if travel is involved. In whatever the requirements are for all or a portion of the sports being in multiple leagues, that should be a priority in having them achieving a better conference(s). LU, when full FBS in FB, and remaining in the BSC still gives the perception and identify of being a mid to low level FCS program. Not a FBS school.

If all you're worried about is casual perception then the Big South isn't a bad spot. Not because it's a great league but because y'all will always be in a position to win it in every sport and make the NCAAs which looks good to casuals. As long as your football is FBS then you will be known as a "D1" school to the casuals that see your games and highlights on ESPN and bet on your bowl game come bowl season. Most people aren't even aware of what FCS is. I had honestly never even heard of it until I got to TXST and I was a sportsaholic in high school.

Of course you want your teams to improve and get better so obviously you want another conference, but where you're at right now doesn't seem too bad. From an outside perspective.

Regarding your P5 home games how many do y'all have? I remember being impressed by a few of the names y'all got. We've only had 1 P5 game in 2012 and our next wont be until 2022 against Baylor, and then another in 2024 against Arizona State, but we've had some name G5s like Navy and UH too and SMU in 2020 I think.
07-13-2017 09:11 AM
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