(04-19-2014 12:48 PM)GSU Eagles Wrote:  So, in terms of impact on the conference from a football/athletics only standpoint, JMU really does not bring more than Liberty. Also, Liberty would bring stability and potentially help the strengthen the conference long term whereas JMU would only continue the current realignment structure where teams leave the SBC for a "higher tier" conference. Liberty would not contribute to this trend and with their resources could grow the program more than any current SBC program.

If you're looking for a potential program with money, Liberty is going to lead the pack. Religion is a powerful thing. But I did want to address this thought that I've seen repeated over and over again that JMU would just bolt the Sun Belt as soon as possible. One thing JMU is is loyal to a fault. JMU was loyal to the CAA in times when they could and perhaps should have bolted such as the 90s when the A-10 was looking at us and the last few years when JMU should have moved up when peers like App State and ODU moved on. JMU is looking for stability and, for whatever reason, did not see the Sun Belt as a good long term fit. Barring major turnover in the administration, I'm willing to bet that whatever FBS conference JMU ends up in will be its home for a long time.