The realignment carousel continues to spin. In the most recent update, UMass, who is a football-only member of the MAC with the rest of their sports in the Atlantic 10, was offered full membership to the MAC. UMass turned it down, and as is part of their original agreement, the Minutemen must leave the MAC in 2 years.

So, what does this mean for Liberty? It’s hard to tell as things are constantly evolving. We all know the Sun Belt has 11 members and have been rumored to want to add a 12th so they can have a football championship game. Liberty has repeatedly been mentioned as being a top candidate for this spot. Could UMass jump ahead of Liberty in the Sun Belt’s pecking order? In my opinion, no. What does UMass offer that the Flames don’t? Sure they’re already FBS, but they are 2-22 in their first 2 seasons as an FBS member. Also, Massachusetts isn’t exactly in the Sun Belt’s footprint.

The move puts the MAC at 12 football members. There’s been rumors in the past of them wanting to expand to 14, but most recently they are supposedly content to stay at 12. If that changes, maybe a JMU & Liberty combo would work?