Conference expansion hypothetical has Boise State to the Pac-12

There is a new addition to the Daily Hike and that will be an audio version via our podcast feed of these news pieces and some additional commentary. The goal is to make this a quick listen around 15 minutes of the news from the past day, or so, and may include some other news not in this piece.

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Are we at PEAK off-season with these fantasy expansion pieces?

This piece mentions Boise State to the Pac-12 because this author says that the Broncos want/need a chance to play a tougher schedule week in and week out. There are reasons to not even consider the Broncos to the Pac-12 due to non-football items. Not listed on this list is San Diego State who has done more than Boise State the past few years.

Is Troy Calhoun the best coach in the Mountain West?

Athlon Sports ranks the coaching jobs within the conference and some are not too happy with Bryan Harsin of Boise State sitting at fourth as he is the only coach within the league that has qualified to a big money bowl game.

Way-too-early Mountain West basketball rankings.

Should you buy or sell UNLV stock?

Probably always, because the odds of the Rebels being down for more than a few years is very, very unlikely.

Conference USA having more TV trouble?

Trouble brewing with C-USA and their media rights deal and does this mean trouble for the Mountain West in a few years?

C-USA is undergoing a new round of negotiations for 2018, trying to recover from the collapse of rights fees in 2016. I’m hearing Sinclair wants out, which puts the whole ASN/Stadium thing in doubt, and beIN Sports wants out.

The league could land a game or two more from the ESPN empire, and all the ESPN3 games it can stand (with most of it university-produced, by the way). Expect CBS Sports to stick around; will another partner pop up?

Exposure should pick up in C-USA’s next contract, but will the money perk up? Don’t hold your breath.

Potential rule change for college football will allow redshirts to play in games

This is a few years before becoming a reality. The basics of this rule is to allow players who plan to redshirt be able to play in up to four games in a year and regardless of the time of year. This would mean that teams could have new players suit up and play in the bowl games and not burn their redshirt.

Wyoming’s Jacob Hollister has a shot to make the Patriots roster as a UDFA

The former Cowboys tight end was given $90,000 in guarantee money and that bodes well for him earning a sport with the defending Super Bowl champions. New England is a smart team and does not just throw away money.