(06-04-2020 09:26 AM)SlyFox Wrote:  From Liberty's perspective, if you guys are FBS by 2026 then we got a cheap FBS home date. If not then it cost us nothing more than other FCS guarantee games. Then you factor in local attendance boost from both schools and it makes a bunch of sense.

Speaking of attendance, keep in mind that you have no idea how your Bridgeforth numbers would be counted under FBS guidelines this past season. Our numbers sank when we moved up with an expanded stadium in 2018 because the rules change on counting making them more accurate. I suspect we actually drew similar numbers to you all in actual fans in 2019 in spite of our lower published totals. But with cheaper FCS tickets it likely gave you all a slight edge. Both teams draw comparatively well.

What are you gibbering about? If you're trying to diminish JMU's announced attendance figures your point is complete and total BS. Sorry that you feel it's necessary to make up some silly crap to excuse your lower attendance.

(06-04-2020 09:53 AM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(06-04-2020 09:26 AM)SlyFox Wrote:  From Liberty's perspective, if you guys are FBS by 2026 then we got a cheap FBS home date. If not then it cost us nothing more than other FCS guarantee games. Then you factor in local attendance boost from both schools and it makes a bunch of sense.

Speaking of attendance, keep in mind that you have no idea how your Bridgeforth numbers would be counted under FBS guidelines this past season. Our numbers sank when we moved up with an expanded stadium in 2018 because the rules change on counting making them more accurate. I suspect we actually drew similar numbers to you all in actual fans in 2019 in spite of our lower published totals. But with cheaper FCS tickets it likely gave you all a slight edge. Both teams draw comparatively well.

What are you gibbering about? If you're trying to diminish JMU's announced attendance figures your point is complete and total BS. Sorry that you feel it's necessary to make up some silly crap to excuse your lower attendance.

....and come on their opponent's board to do it. That slop may peddle well in Lynchburg, but Fox will only be met with derision and dismissal on this board.

(06-04-2020 09:26 AM)SlyFox Wrote:  From Liberty's perspective, if you guys are FBS by 2026 then we got a cheap FBS home date. If not then it cost us nothing more than other FCS guarantee games. Then you factor in local attendance boost from both schools and it makes a bunch of sense.

Speaking of attendance, keep in mind that you have no idea how your Bridgeforth numbers would be counted under FBS guidelines this past season. Our numbers sank when we moved up with an expanded stadium in 2018 because the rules change on counting making them more accurate. I suspect we actually drew similar numbers to you all in actual fans in 2019 in spite of our lower published totals. But with cheaper FCS tickets it likely gave you all a slight edge. Both teams draw comparatively well.

Probably something in the contract that stipulated an opener or higher payment if JMU is FBS. Would be cool to see the Contractor via the FOIA.

(06-04-2020 08:55 AM)Ewglenn Wrote:  How many fans do you think y’all will bring?

It's on Halloween, so not much to be honest. Our home game this year on Halloween will tell the tale... or at least it would've before COVID-19.

(06-04-2020 09:26 AM)SlyFox Wrote:  From Liberty's perspective, if you guys are FBS by 2026 then we got a cheap FBS home date. If not then it cost us nothing more than other FCS guarantee games. Then you factor in local attendance boost from both schools and it makes a bunch of sense.

Speaking of attendance, keep in mind that you have no idea how your Bridgeforth numbers would be counted under FBS guidelines this past season. Our numbers sank when we moved up with an expanded stadium in 2018 because the rules change on counting making them more accurate. I suspect we actually drew similar numbers to you all in actual fans in 2019 in spite of our lower published totals. But with cheaper FCS tickets it likely gave you all a slight edge. Both teams draw comparatively well.

What are the FBS guidelines that differ from FCS? Not saying there aren't any, but I am unaware of them. Mainly because it's frankly silly to have more stringent guidelines. Look at all the inflated numbers in the bottom 3 FBS conferences. They are done so (in spite of any supposed more stringent guidelines), to keep those programs in compliance for FBS attendance requirements. If anything, I'd argue that FBS numbers are more inflated.

Also keep in mind, that our season attendance always suffers when we host playoff games. For some reason, the NCAA insists on counting these. This, despite the fact that the games and times only are announced 6-7 days in advance. Try coordinating with your travel group, with that kind of short notice during the Holiday season (weather doesn't help either). It's simply not an apples to apples comparison with other schools.

(06-04-2020 11:04 AM)olddawg Wrote:  

(06-04-2020 09:26 AM)SlyFox Wrote:  From Liberty's perspective, if you guys are FBS by 2026 then we got a cheap FBS home date. If not then it cost us nothing more than other FCS guarantee games. Then you factor in local attendance boost from both schools and it makes a bunch of sense.

Speaking of attendance, keep in mind that you have no idea how your Bridgeforth numbers would be counted under FBS guidelines this past season. Our numbers sank when we moved up with an expanded stadium in 2018 because the rules change on counting making them more accurate. I suspect we actually drew similar numbers to you all in actual fans in 2019 in spite of our lower published totals. But with cheaper FCS tickets it likely gave you all a slight edge. Both teams draw comparatively well.

What are the FBS guidelines that differ from FCS? Not saying there aren't any, but I am unaware of them. Mainly because it's frankly silly to have more stringent guidelines. Look at all the inflated numbers in the bottom 3 FBS conferences. They are done so (in spite of any supposed more stringent guidelines), to keep those programs in compliance for FBS attendance requirements. If anything, I'd argue that FBS numbers are more inflated.

Also keep in mind, that our season attendance always suffers when we host playoff games. For some reason, the NCAA insists on counting these. This, despite the fact that the games and times only are announced 6-7 days in advance. Try coordinating with your travel group, with that kind of short notice during the Holiday season (weather doesn't help either). It's simply not an apples to apples comparison with other schools.

It’s up to the school. I would say they are about the same on strictness. One question I have for y’all is how much of your attendance is student. Looking back at the past few years y’all draw when they are there and poorly(it seems) when they aren’t. We have that issue but just wanted to hear what y’all think.

Good for both.

Please (whatever diety you choose), let's hope JMU is FBS by then...

any away game with a less than 3 hour drive is welcome!

(06-04-2020 12:22 PM)Bill Wrote:  any very winnable away game that pays us $400,000 with less than a 3 hour drive is welcome!

FIFY

(06-04-2020 09:44 AM)Purple Wrote:  

(06-04-2020 09:31 AM)Deez Nuts Wrote:  When do they come to BFS for the return game

I agree. That should have been a home and home.

Guys - we are not FBS ...why on earth would we get a home and home?

A little surprised to see the response to this isn’t more positive.

My first thoughts were:
1) Good chance at an FBS win
2) Fairly nice pay day (400k for a bus ride isn’t too bad)
3) A win in recruiting when we win. Kids who are on the fence between us and them or will see who is the stronger program.

Heck, I say we schedule UMass also in 2026 if possible and just start knocking out G5’s who offer the same caliber of kids as us. Leave no question where they should choose to go.

I would have thought the kiddie pool comment would have attracted more negative response than the attendance explanation. At the FCS level, the NCAA doesn't really care how you count your numbers since there is no obligation to meet a 15k minimum. But at the FBS level there are requirements in who is eligible to be counted and the process used has some scrutiny. Our crowd sizes increased with an expanded stadium in 2018 in our first FBS transition year and then again in 2019 and yet our posted attendances went down. You guys will likely remain well above 15k for years to come so the attendance shouldn't be an issue for you guys. It was just an observation based on our experience.

Our stadium doesn't look much like the one the Dukes last visited 9 years ago.

Beautiful day, "Big time" opponent from somewhere in Alabama and your stadium is still a quarter empty. I'm assuming that's the best photo you could find.

Nope, just first one I could find online showing new upper deck on the right side that boosted our seating capacity to 25k.

This is the one I use on my lockscreen on my phone:



But there have been additions since this one was taken. I think you guys will enjoy the experience and it is ridiculously close to home.

Well JMU fans need not fret. You'll get a seat because their best game in the past 2 seasons was Syracuse with 21k.

It's okay, most JMU games don't sell out either. But at least one a season does.

(06-04-2020 09:26 AM)SlyFox Wrote:  From Liberty's perspective, if you guys are FBS by 2026 then we got a cheap FBS home date. If not then it cost us nothing more than other FCS guarantee games. Then you factor in local attendance boost from both schools and it makes a bunch of sense.

Speaking of attendance, keep in mind that you have no idea how your Bridgeforth numbers would be counted under FBS guidelines this past season. Our numbers sank when we moved up with an expanded stadium in 2018 because the rules change on counting making them more accurate. I suspect we actually drew similar numbers to you all in actual fans in 2019 in spite of our lower published totals. But with cheaper FCS tickets it likely gave you all a slight edge. Both teams draw comparatively well.

Are JMU tickets actually cheaper than Liberty's? I know we pay a pretty penny for season tickets that are more than a lot of G5 schools?

The ticket prices are actually comparable these days. Our attendance challenge is that our alumni base is much more farflung. That helps us with road attendance but the vast majority of our grads live a significant distance from campus. So we are lucky to get many of them back for just a game.

I am not sure anyone knows what a sellout will look like this season. 2026 seems like a lifetime away. I am just glad to see us renewing our engagements.

It is a dadgum, good lookin' stadium.

(06-04-2020 11:04 AM)olddawg Wrote:  

(06-04-2020 09:26 AM)SlyFox Wrote:  From Liberty's perspective, if you guys are FBS by 2026 then we got a cheap FBS home date. If not then it cost us nothing more than other FCS guarantee games. Then you factor in local attendance boost from both schools and it makes a bunch of sense.

Speaking of attendance, keep in mind that you have no idea how your Bridgeforth numbers would be counted under FBS guidelines this past season. Our numbers sank when we moved up with an expanded stadium in 2018 because the rules change on counting making them more accurate. I suspect we actually drew similar numbers to you all in actual fans in 2019 in spite of our lower published totals. But with cheaper FCS tickets it likely gave you all a slight edge. Both teams draw comparatively well.

What are the FBS guidelines that differ from FCS? Not saying there aren't any, but I am unaware of them. Mainly because it's frankly silly to have more stringent guidelines. Look at all the inflated numbers in the bottom 3 FBS conferences. They are done so (in spite of any supposed more stringent guidelines), to keep those programs in compliance for FBS attendance requirements. If anything, I'd argue that FBS numbers are more inflated.

Also keep in mind, that our season attendance always suffers when we host playoff games. For some reason, the NCAA insists on counting these. This, despite the fact that the games and times only are announced 6-7 days in advance. Try coordinating with your travel group, with that kind of short notice during the Holiday season (weather doesn't help either). It's simply not an apples to apples comparison with other schools.

I agree. I know Miami (OH) buys thousands of tickets to every game to meet the FBS attendance requirement. Those are not butts in seats, but I guess the NCAA is OK with that because Miami has been doing it for years. I suspect other MAC teams do it as well.

(06-04-2020 01:19 PM)bcp_jmu Wrote:  

(06-04-2020 09:44 AM)Purple Wrote:  

(06-04-2020 09:31 AM)Deez Nuts Wrote:  When do they come to BFS for the return game

I agree. That should have been a home and home.

Guys - we are not FBS ...why on earth would we get a home and home?

Because we are not chump change. It's not like Liberty is playing STFU. We deserve more respect than that.