Today, we continue our countdown of the top storylines entering the 2014 football season with #8 on our list.
Photo courtesy southernpigskin.com
It’s no secret Liberty desperately wants to be added to the Sun Belt Conference. After having the door shut in their face for a 2nd straight season by the league, Turner Gill & company finally have a chance to prove they belong on the field when they face Appalachian State on October 11th.
The Mountaineers are one of the newest additions of the Sun Belt after announcing in 2013 they would be making the jump from FCS to FBS football by joining the conference. Liberty has never faced a Sun Belt Conference team in football, but their first meeting comes at an opportune time. The Sun Belt voted to not expand to 12 teams at their spring meetings, with Liberty being the most ready and available prospect. One of the biggest knocks against the Flames is the lack of on the field success.
In their final season of FCS football, Appalachian State underwhelmed last year finishing the season 4-8 with home losses to North Carolina A&T and Charleston Southern. While the Mountaineers should be improved, Beyond Sports Network ranked Liberty over Appalachian State as the most likely FCS over FBS upset during the 2014 season.
Will a Flames win over App State prove the Sun Belt made a mistake by not adding Liberty? Of course not, but it can be a step in the right direction towards the Flames earning an FBS invitation by their play on the field.
Previous entries:
10. Monmouth joins Big South
9. How good can LU’s offense be?
