With the news coming out of Alabama about the shutdown of the UAB football program, it’s obvious this will have a far reaching impact across Division I athletics. Liberty’s not excluded. Here’s how the news could impact the Flames:
1. Conference USA & realignment
Logical candidates to replace UAB in C-USA: Liberty, James Madison, Georgia State, South Alabama, Texas State, Arkansas State, ULL
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) November 30, 2014
The most obvious is it opens up a spot for a team to move into UAB’s vacated Conference USA spot. Liberty is certainly on the short list of candidates to replace the Blazers.
2. Sun Belt & realignment
If Liberty doesn’t get the call from CUSA, it’s likely a team from the Sun Belt will get the nod. That would leave the Sun Belt at 10 members. Maybe it would push their presidents and administrators over into the camp of wanting to go to 12.
3. Future ramifications among the have/have-nots
As the divide between the power 5 and the rest of college athletics continues to widen, it’s likely other schools and their football programs will go the route of UAB’s. See this article on Georgia State.
4. Scheduling possibilities
UAB has filled out their schedule for the next couple years meaning several teams will be looking to fill a hole. Perhaps Liberty could schedule one. The Blazers had games scheduled in 2015 with Tennessee, Georgia State, South Alabama, and Troy. They also had games scheduled in 2016 with Kentucky, Georgia State, South Alabama, and Troy. We know Jeff Barber’s affection with playing Sun Belt teams on the gridiron, perhaps a showdown with South Alabama or Troy could be on the horizon for 2016.
5. Transfer opportunities
There will be a feeding frenzy among the 85 scholarship players UAB had that no longer have a football home, most of whom are from Alabama. Maybe the Flames from Alabama have some connections (Darrin Peterson, Austin Kaigler, Canon Smith).
LOL. You can always tell the sports writers that don’t know anything about LU.
Well, I believe that the “small Baptist school” that is always “nestled” or “tucked away” in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains is likely ONE win away from a FBS invite, especially if Flames fans show up in force.
Shine the spotlight on Liberty long enough and the uninformed will discover that the stale stereotypes don’t hold. LU has been busy building a national brand with a ‘loyal’ following (“Rabid” is for sick animals and terrorists). Committed leadership, solid finances, top-flight facilities, a national media network, academic integrity…..one day, either the CUSA or Sun Belt leaders will regret not seeing the value that Liberty University brings. LU would be a great addition to either conference…..right now!