Episodes
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With the inaugural 12-team CFP set to kickoff Friday night in South Bend, Indiana, we welcome Notre Dame alum and the voice of the L.A. Rams, J.B. Long, to the show with thanks to our founding partner 76.
J.B. called games this fall in the Pac-12, Mountain West and the NFL. His lens on the new look playoff, the current reality of college football and his insights on Washington State have tremendous depth and breath.
One of my dearest friends and one of the most talented voices in sports, J.B. brings a lens that is truly one of one.
We also dive into stories from South Bend - his as a student and broadcaster & mine as a player and coach, that neither of us have ever shared and you might get a laugh or two from them.
Jim Thornby and I also offer a conversation on the state of the Cougs, the transfer portal, how colleges are building out their NIL “matrix” and the slate of playoff games this weekend that are giving us some historical matchups.
Enjoy this weekend and be sure to follow along as I’ll be tracking each game in real time on Threads!
Much love,
Yogi
This episode is executive produced by Jim Thornby and edited by Victor Ren
This podcast is a Best Coast Media production
Get full access to Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth at www.y-option.com/subscribe -
Travis Hunter wins the Heisman Trophy and we have an Immediate Reaction podcast from New York City plus hear from each of the other 3 Heisman finalists in advance of the big event.
Join myself and Jim Thornby as we break down the Heisman from all angles, including:
* My experience at the actual event for the first time.
* The resurgence of West Coast players on the grandest stage in back to back years.
* A detailed dive into what it’s like to cover a Heisman.
* Travis Hunter’s emotional speech.
* Our award winners (spoiler, they don’t wear a helmet).
Also, be sure to check out this week’s Empty the Call Sheet as I share how Larry Fitzgerald coming in second impacted my lens on the Heisman forever.
Much love,
Yogi
This episode was executive produced by Jim Thornby and edited by Victor Ren.
This podcast is a Best Coast Media production
Get full access to Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth at www.y-option.com/subscribe -
Missing episodes?
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What is going on in recruiting right now?!
This year the portal is seeing big name players who I would have never imagined entering and now exploring new homes in college football.
Before creating our own opinions here at Y-Option we had to talk to the expert of all things recruiting, Brandon Huffman, who joined the podcast thanks to our founding partner 76.
Brandon is the National Recruiting Editor for 247Sports and one of the most genuine and talented humans I know. He has joined this show every year for quite some time to share his insights into the Early Signing Period, recruiting and the future of college football.
This episode is a little different.
We spent 80% of the time talking about the new-look portal, agents and some guidance on how to navigate it all. We also gained expertise around the Ducks, Trojans, Bruins, Huskies and more West Coast teams as the Early Signing Period was last week and Portal Palooza is in full effect.
While Brandon’s insights are golden, how he continues to inspire the sporting community with the Avery Huffman DIPG Foundation, in honor of his daughter Avery, is incredibly powerful. It was established in 2016 and grows stronger by the day.
While we all are extremely busy during this time of the year please take a moment to learn more about Avery’s story, and how the Huffman family continues to impact people across the globe through this foundation. Please visit averystrongdipg.org and spread the word about Avery and how she continues to live on in so many beautiful ways.
#AveryStrong
Much love,
Yogi
This episode is executive produced by Jim Thornby and edited by Victor Ren
This podcast is a Best Coast Media production
Get full access to Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth at www.y-option.com/subscribe -
The CFP bracket is set.
Some are thrilled, some are frustrated and a few are still politicking. Those of us on the West Coast are pretty happy, and rightfully so with Oregon, ASU and Boise State all receiving first round byes.
The Heisman finalists are also set and prior to departing for NYC, we had 1997 Heisman Trophy finalist Ryan Leaf join Y-Option, thanks to our founding partner 76. We dove into his first trip to The City That Never Sleeps while also learning about his post-event celebration that included his father singing alongside some of college football’s all-time greats as the sun was rising.
He also shared his intimate thoughts on perspective, as last week was the 10-year anniversary of him walking out of prison.
The CW Sports college football analyst detailed his 2024 season in the booth with Y-Option alums Ted Robinson and Nigel Burton, as this trio called the Washington State at Oregon State game a few weeks ago.
Jim Thornby and I take a look back on Championship Weekend, as both of us were in Indy for the Big Ten Championship game and look forward to the bracket that is top heavy with West Coast teams.
Hope all of you get a chance to exhale for a day or two as this has been a season to remember on so many levels.
Much love,
Yogi
This episode is executive produced by Jim Thornby and edited by Victor Ren
This podcast is a Best Coast Media production.
Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Get full access to Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth at www.y-option.com/subscribe -
Championship week is upon us, Early Signing Period is underway and Heisman voters have their ballots.
Welcome back to Y-Option, where we bring you college football content through the lens of the West Coast! Today, Jim Thornby and I break down the state of the most recent College Football Playoff rankings and how the dominos could impact the West Coast in college football.
Fresh off my trip to Eugene, I also share insights from sitting down with Oregon’s Dan Lanning and Dillon Gabriel as we take a deep dive into the Big Ten title game with our guest Rhett Lewis, with thanks to our founding partner 76.
Speaking of Rhett, his podcast BLeav in Big Ten is a go-to source for all things B1G and we did a little home and home podcast this week, with our conversation appearing on both shows. Rhett reflected on the improbable run that his Indiana Hoosiers have been on and what to expect from Penn State against the Ducks.
Finally, I shared my 10-point scale on how I vote for the Heisman.
For the 870 voters, maybe this will help you out as you decide who should hoist that trophy next week. I’d love to learn how you vote as well, as I think the responsibility of our vote deserves thoughtfulness vs. regionality bias.
A reminder that the definition of the Heisman is awarded to the “Outstanding college football player whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity.”
With that, here is my 10-point voting scale:
* Competitive dominance
* Power 4 filter
* Would I pay money to see player prepare, practice, perform?
* Can they process?
* Their It Factor: making your presence felt and elevating the performance of those around you - this comes from conversations with their coaches/teammates
* Injury factor: when were they and how many injuries around them/their team on the field
* Did you win your conference?
* Analytics
* Integrity off the field: classroom/community
* Performance on ‘Big Stages’ - a real time grade (1-5) and a film study post-game
As always, thanks for the support. Jim and I are off to Indianapolis for the Big Ten Champ Game and much more. Be sure to tune into Big Ten Network for our coverage and Y-Option on social for behind the scenes content.
Much love,
Yogi
This episode was executive produced by Jim Thornby and edited by Victor Ren
This podcast is a Best Coast Media production
Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Get full access to Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth at www.y-option.com/subscribe -
Championship Week is upon us, as is Early Signing Day, as is the coaching carousel, as is the offseason for some.
Not here at Y-Option. We are going for it! And when it’s 77 degrees out West, we are doing it with board shorts on.
Thanks to our founding partner 76, today we welcome in Doug Lesmerises, creator and host of Kings of the North, the lead podcast covering college football through the lens of the North. Doug has been an expert on all things Big Ten Football for decades and today we took a look back at the Ohio State and Michigan game, as well as a look forward to Oregon and Penn State. We have a thoughtful conversation around Ryan Day, postgame flag planting and who we trust the most in college football. (Spoiler, it’s the Ducks)
Jim Thornby and I also dive into our weekly Go Go Go Awards, current coaching changes and I give a blunt assessment of the Arizona Wildcats, as well as the ridiculousness of the transfer portal and quarterback demands.
It’s a fun conversation, full of emotion, energy and hopefully insight into college football from the lens of the West Coast.
I’m off to Eugene to sit down with Dan Lanning and study film with Dillon Gabriel. More on that and Championship Weekend this week at www.Y-Option.
As always, thanks for the love and support!
Yogi
This podcast is executive produced by Jim Thornby and edited by Victor Ren
This podcast is a Best Coast Media production
Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Get full access to Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth at www.y-option.com/subscribe -
Happy Thanksgiving Week!
It’s a week full of rivalry games, College Football Playoff implications and most importantly Turkey Bowl games in your backyard. Anyone else already claim “all-time QB”?
With that said, we bring you a special Thanksgiving episode of Y-Option, thanks to our founding partner 76, with a unique guest in Big Sky commissioner Tom Wistrcill.
Commissioner Wistrcill is in his 5th year leading the Big Sky and this weekend they kick off their postseason with 5 of his schools in the FCS Playoffs. He shares insight into his leadership philosophy, the impact he thinks the CFP will have on college football, the state of roster management, the trickle up & down effect in college football, the Pac-12 rebuild and what the next move should be in the chaotic world of college football.
It’s a powerful discussion from someone who is in the rooms where meaningful decisions are made. As FBS football changes shape in a matter of weeks, Commissioner Wistrcill offers a lens from someone who has worked in the Big Ten and been an FBS Athletic Director and is now leading the top conference in FCS.
In addition, Jim Thornby and I explore some hot topics with a thoughtful lens. For instance, did Travis Hunter get snubbed for the Thorpe Award? What’s happening in the Big 12? Will Cal take down SMU and how would that impact the ACC’s standing in the CFP? Will UW roll with true freshman Demond Williams at QB against the top team in the land, Oregon? A reminder that the CFP is not an invitational and if you lose 3 games you are not given a pass. Plus, I give some major takeaways from my first season in the B1G and my thoughts on the massive showdown in Columbus with Ohio State hosting Michigan.
We finish off by sharing what we are thankful for (spoiler, it’s YOU!).
Pre-Thanksgiving I’m about to embark on baking a few pies and post-Thanksgiving, I’m off to the Rose Bowl to call one final game this fall alongside our phenomenal Big Ten Network crew. If history suggests, it’s going to be another close one as our crew only calls tight games! Or as our group text thread states, #BangersOnly!
Much love and many thanks to all of you and if you’re playing in your Turkey Bowl, I fully expect to see a version of what Cal and Illinois ran for their 2-point plays last weekend or if you dare, bust out this end around from the Dolphins.
Much love,
Yogi
This episode is executive produced by Jim Thornby and edited by Victor Ren
This podcast is a Best Coast Media production
Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Get full access to Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth at www.y-option.com/subscribe -
It’s Rivalry Week out West and we have you covered at Y-Option.
USC visits the Rose Bowl for an iconic game in Los Angeles against the Bruins with stakes locally, and the postseason for both teams is on the line. Stanford heads across the Bay to visit Cal in The Big Game in what should be a packed house at Memorial Stadium as the Bears hope to clinch a bowl berth. Oregon State hosts Washington State in a game pitting two Pac-12 schools who, over the past 12 months, have navigated adversity unseen in college sports and we welcomed the man who will be the sideline analyst on The CW for the Cougs vs. Beavs, Nigel Burton, to the latest episode of Y-Option presented by our founding partner 76.
I’ve known Nigel for years, having broadcast his first game as the head coach at Portland State and was fortunate to have him as a colleague for over a decade at the Pac-12 Network. We dove into the game, both Trent Bray and Jake Dickert’s role as each school's respective head coach and what his year has been like at the CW. In addition, Nigel unearthed what it’s like to be a parent of a college football player, as his son Jace is a freshman defensive back at Nigel’s alma mater, Washington.
Jim Thornby and I thoughtfully react to the latest CFP rankings, discuss #5 Indiana visiting #2 Ohio State and a huge weekend in the Big 12. Can #16 Colorado keep it going? Will #21 ASU take the next step toward a Big 12 title berth as they host #14 BYU? Can Utah play spoiler to #22 Iowa State on Senior Night at Rice-Eccles?
I’m off to D.C. as Maryland hosts Iowa in a B1G game at 9a PST in a game that has two teams that play completely different styles of football.
There are only two weekends for the majority of fans in college football to watch your team compete. Our advice, lean into it and enjoy every moment as you’ll be yearning for football season to return in a matter of weeks once the regular season ends.
Finally, the Pullman community lost a special young man this past weekend. 13-year-old Zion Bischoff passed away in an automobile accident and his impact on so many people has been celebrated. Please consider supporting the Bischoff family as they process this tragedy by visiting their GoFundMe page, Washington State will be wearing “ZB” patches on their helmets this weekend to honor Zion, who was close with many of the coaches’ children.
Our hearts go out to his family and friends, as we lost a beautiful soul far too soon.
Much love,
Yogi
This episode is executive produced by Jim Thornby and edited by Victor Ren
This podcast is a Best Coast Media production
Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Get full access to Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth at www.y-option.com/subscribe -
Every week from the West Coast we hope to bring you thoughtful conversations, insight and analysis in college football. Thanks to our founding partner 76, today we welcome a repeat guest in Oregon State head coach Trent Bray. In a season full of injuries and adversity, the Beavers head coach continues to lead his program with an optimistic and determined approach. With so many young players, I think the benefit will be seen in coming years, specifically in Year 1 of the rebuilt Pac-12 in 2026. We dive into that with Coach Bray, as well as what has been the most enjoyable and most challenging elements in the first year of his career as a head coach.
How about Year 1 of the new look B1G?! On Saturday. the nation saw Dan Lanning’s aggressive style in full effect once again. It reminded me of Pete Carroll back in the day. To be that aggressive, you must trust that your team has the capacity to handle either side of the result. Jim Thornby and I break that down, as well as the upside down Big 12, with coach of the year candidates Deion Sanders and Kenny Dillingham.
We also dig into the Heisman, the embarrassing nonconference opponents in the SEC this weekend, Week 12’s Go Go Go Award winners presented by 76 and explore this year's matchup in the Pac-12 with Washington State and Oregon State.
It’s Week 13 folks, let’s not miss a moment!
Much love and many thanks,
Yogi
This episode was executive produced by Jim Thornby and edited by Victor Ren
This podcast is a Best Coast Media production
Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Get full access to Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth at www.y-option.com/subscribe -
Week 12 is upon us and while it may be hard to predict who will make the inaugural College Football Playoff, one thing that is relatively certain is that UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger will find his way to another double digit tackle game.
The former walk-on is leading the Big Ten Conference in tackles per game and is leading the Bruins on a resurgence in DeShaun Foster’s first season. Thanks to our founding partner 76, he shared what led him to walk on at UCLA, how his father inspired him and this team's mindset heading into their Friday night tilt against former Pac-12 turned B1G foe Washington.
Jim Thornby and I also take a deep dive into the CFP, why Oregon continues to thrive and the Washington State Cougars path to the postseason. I shared a story from USC where Pete Carroll taught me the difference between ‘hoping’ and ‘knowing’ and how the Trojans and Nebraska Cornhuskers are in a similar position heading into this weekend’s game at the Coliseum.
In addition, we discuss who needs a win more - USC or Arizona and what would have happened in the Pac-12 this season if things didn’t change after last year.
As always, thank you for the support and enjoy this weekend. I’m off to Chicago for some studio work at the Big Ten Network in what will be another competitive weekend in the game we all love.
Much love from all of us at Y-Option,
Yogi
This episode is executive produced by Jim Thornby and edited by Victor Ren.
This podcast is a Best Coast Media production.
Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Get full access to Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth at www.y-option.com/subscribe -
4 teams remain unbeaten and none reside in the south. So this week, Y-Option went down south to talk to an expert in all things college football, Andy Staples.
Andy is the host of Andy & Ari On3, a daily college football podcast covering every major story. He joined us to dive into the CFP, how many teams should make the expanded playoff from the SEC and B1G, as well as his thoughts on the Heisman.
He gives his take on the Washington State Cougars, both USC and UCLA and of course what last weekend was like in Oxford around Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss squad. Finally, we answer the question of “is anyone truly elite this year in college football?”
Jim Thornby and I also celebrate this weeks Go Go Go Award Winners at Y-Option, presented by 76 as John Mateer, Ashton Jeanty and Jordan Burch all repeat as award winners and UCLA head coach DeShaun Foster is named our Headset Hero for the first time.
As always, follow @YOptionfb for all things college football, through the lens of the West Coast.
Much love,
Yogi
This episode is executive produced by Jim Thornby and edited by Victor Ren.
This podcast is a Best Coast Media production.
Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Get full access to Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth at www.y-option.com/subscribe -
Preseason polls mean absolute squat.
Ok, that may be a bit harsh but today’s guest on Y-Option, thanks to our founding partner 76, is Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham. His Sun Devils were picked to finish last in the new look Big 12 in the preseason and as we enter November, his squad is in the thick of the Big 12 race. This week, they welcome Central Florida to Tempe and the Valley will certainly be activated.
I’ve always felt that ASU was a “sleeping giant” and in their new league with very few dominant teams, it looks like they are building toward that. With Dillingham, an alum and Scottsdale native leading the way, there is no reason why they can’t become a power within the Big 12. It certainly helps having a Heisman candidate in Cam Skattebo aka That Dude! for them as well. We asked the ASU head coach the latest on Cam’s health too.
While USC is not in the conversation for the Big Ten title, they are always a story, even on a bye week. The Trojans made a change at QB and will start UNLV transfer Jayden Maiava, who thrived last year in Las Vegas throwing for 3,085 pass yds and 17 passing touchdowns while rushing for 277 yards with 3 scores.
We dive into that decision and how sensitive the QB room is.
Finally, we look into the first week of the College Football Playoff rankings, what they mean for the Washington State Cougars and how the committee may be viewing this season with the new format.
I’m off to Kansas City to call Iowa State and Kansas in a Big 12 contest on FS1 at Arrowhead Stadium. And no, I won’t be eating any BBQ (I’m vegetarian), but I am on the hunt for a cool cafe. If you have any recommendations please let us know on social media, @ Y-Option.
Enjoy Week 11 and amid changes in all of our worlds, stay steady.
Yogi
This episode is executive produced by Jim Thornby and edited by Victor Ren
This podcast is a Best Coast Media production
Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Get full access to Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth at www.y-option.com/subscribe -
I feel like the luckiest broadcaster in college football.
Every Saturday I get to stand at the 50-yard line and celebrate the greatest game on earth and attempt to coach the viewer. Those two thoughts have been at the core of my career. But to have any success at anything one must be taught, guided and mentored. Thankfully for me the men I’ve stood next to every weekend have done just that.
But none more so than Ted Robinson.
Ted has changed my life on air, off air and each Saturday while on Big Ten Network (or this weekend Fox Sports 1). His words of wisdom, encouragement and kindness are constantly working in my subconscious and the skills he taught me are hopefully used in real time each weekend.
Thankfully for us at Y-Option and our founding partner 76, he’s also in your world in today’s podcast. The play-by-play voice of The CW joined me to talk about the Washington State Cougars, Oregon State Beavers and the state of college football.
We take a deep dive into the growth of John Mateer, the leadership of Jake Dickert, the state of the Beavs and with the legendary Bill Walton’s birthday this Tuesday, we celebrate that as well.
Jim Thornby and I also detail this week's Go Go Go Awards, presented by 76 and play a game titled ‘Bowl or No Bowl’ as we discuss the numerous teams that are on the cusp of bowl eligibility. If you’re a fan of UW, Cal, Utah, OSU, USC, UCLA or Arizona this is a section you might enjoy.
Back to prep, as Guy Haberman and I are calling the Iowa State vs. Kansas game at Arrowhead Stadium this weekend on FS1. Fun fact, I called that exact game in the Chiefs’ stadium in 2010 where Tom Herman was the Iowa State OC. Time flies!
Finally, the next few days will be stressful on many fronts so let’s all lean into the joy in our lives and as fellow Substacker Dan Rather always says, ‘Stay Steady.’
Much love,
Yogi
This episode is executive produced by Jim Thornby and edited by Victor Ren.
This podcast is a Best Coast Media production.
Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Get full access to Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth at www.y-option.com/subscribe -
Every quarterback dreams of leading their team to the College Football Playoff, but only few get the opportunity. As we enter November in college football, just over 20 teams are still in the mix for the expanded CFP and John Mateer of Washington State is currently the quarterback of one of them. This WSU signal caller joined the Y-Option podcast, fueled by our founding partner 76, for the first time to talk about this Cougars season, his path from the 119th ranked QB in the class of 2022 to Heisman Trophy candidate and the mindset of “America’s Team” under Jake Dickert in the final month of the season.
Jim Thornby and I also dive into a huge weekend in the Big Ten and the road trips for both the Arizona Wildcats and the Arizona State Sun Devils in the new look Big-12. In addition, will my Pitt Panthers keep it rolling at SMU in a battle of unbeatens in ACC conference play? Plus, we get ready for Halloween as the Dodgers easily made the West Coast proud.
I’m off to Nebraska for the Cornhuskers and the UCLA Bruins with bowl eligibility at top of mind for both teams. As always, enjoy the weekend and be sure to follow Y-Option on social media.
Happy Halloween!
Yogi
The episode was executive produced by Jim Thornby and Victor Ren.
This podcast is a Best Coast Media production.
Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Get full access to Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth at www.y-option.com/subscribe -
“The games they remember are in November.”
With Week 9 in the rearview mirror, I'm reminded of a quote from good friend Rick Neuheisel and with the nation's top team, Oregon, heading to The Big House to face defending National Champion Michigan this weekend that is easily true.
Today’s Y-Option podcast, fueled by our founding partner 76, features a man who knows the Maize & Blue well. Former Michigan All-American tight end Jake Butt joins the show for the first time to share insight on his school, as he was on this past weekend's call of Michigan’s win over rival Michigan State. The Wolverines finally had consistent play from the quarterback room even as they played 2 with Davis Warren and Alex Orji, showcasing big-play potential against Jonathan Smith’s Spartans.
Jake will also be on the call for USC at Washington this Saturday. The Trojans and Dawgs are longtime foes, but this will be their first contest in the new look B1G.
We also discuss the Big Ten race, my conversation with legendary coach Nick Saban, the upcoming CFP rankings and how the Washington State Cougars are still in the mix for all of the things.
And as always, we celebrate our Y-Option Go Go Go Awards as Fernando Mendoza, Makai Lemon, Ansel Din-Mbuh and Kalani Sitake took home the awards from Week 9, presented by our founding partner 76.
Hope you enjoy today’s episode, let us know what you might have asked Coach Saban if you had the chance on social media
Much love,
Yogi
This episode is executive produced by Jim Thornby and edited by Victor Ren.
This podcast is a Best Coast Media production.
Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Get full access to Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth at www.y-option.com/subscribe -
Week 9 arrives as does ESPN’s College GameDay into Bloomington, Indiana. Last week it was Big Noon Kickoff at IU and this Saturday comes another party, as undefeated #13 Indiana hosts Washington on the Big Ten Network. I’ll be on the call alongside Guy Haberman, Rhett Lewis and our incredible crew.
In today’s episode we welcome Washington head coach Jedd Fisch back to the podcast thanks to our founding partners 76. Coach Fisch and I met back in 2009 while both interviewing for the Seattle Seahawks. He took the job and I pivoted out of coaching and into the media. Since then we have had numerous conversations about building a program, his approach to quarterbacks and much more. Today we discuss the upcoming 9 a.m. PT kickoff and what they call it, what year one at Washington has been like and the impact of Bill Belichick, Pete Carroll and Sean McVay on his vision at UW.
Jim Thornby and I also take a deep dive into the game that might impact the College Football Playoff lens on the West Coast in a major way with #17 Boise State visiting UNLV, as well which of the now 9 undefeated teams (we taped this before Liberty’s loss Wednesday night) will remain without a loss after this weekend’s slate. Spoiler, my #19 Pitt Panthers will keep it rolling in an old school Big East re-match on Thursday night with Larry Fitzgerald in attendance :).
As always, thank you for the love and support and enjoy Week 9!
Yogi
This episode was executive produced by Jim Thornby and edited by Victor Ren.
This podcast is a Best Coast Media production.
Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Get full access to Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth at www.y-option.com/subscribe -
Week 8 has come and gone and college football is delivering in every imaginable and unimaginable way. 2024 has delivered epic wins, a new number one team in the land, wild finishes and sadly, now some coaching changes.
Today’s podcast highlights the Y-Option Go Go Go award winners from this past weekend, a deep dive into the Oregon Ducks, Utah Utes, Colorado Buffaloes and the USC Trojans.
We also welcome into the Y-Option studio, thanks to our founding partner 76, Dan Rubenstein. He co-hosts one of college football's most popular podcasts – The Solid Verbal – and personally inspired me to start a podcast almost a decade ago. As an Oregon alum, Dan is dialed in on all things Ducks and we explore what he trusts the most about this year's squad after their dominant win at Purdue on a Friday night. We also talk about how we both view the USC Trojans, who have lost 4 games by a total of 14 points. Finally, we compare some of the West Coast’s top teams to pizza, as Dan is a well-known connoisseur of pizza. You won’t want to miss that!
Jim Thornby and I also discuss what is happening at Utah, as Andy Ludwig abruptly resigned on Sunday and offensive analyst Mike Bajakian has taken over the play calling. We have a thoughtful and blunt conversation around the move in Salt Lake City, as well as Cam Rising’s future.
Personally, I’d like to say thank you to so many of you who sent in personal notes after reading our Sunday Newsletter as I reflected on my late Mom, who impacted me in so many powerful ways.
Much love,
Yogi
This episode is executive produced by Jim Thornby and edited by Victor Ren.
This podcast is a Best Coast Media production.
Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Get full access to Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth at www.y-option.com/subscribe -
Week 8 has arrived and Y-Option has you covered with college football through the lens of the West Coast along with special guest Max Browne.
To kick things off, we think Saturday has the best individual matchup of the season with Travis Hunter of Colorado facing Tetairoa McMillan of Arizona. Last year, I was able to call that game and it came down to the final snap and this year, all 32 NFL teams will be glued to every snap when the nation's top DB lines up opposite the nation's top WR.
I’m off to the east coast for UCLA at Rutgers on FS1, as both teams need a win. The rest of the slate is full of sneaky good games, trap games or must-win games. Action with the West Coast schools kicks off Friday night with Oregon at Purdue in a classic trap game while the action wraps up Saturday with UNLV at Oregon State and an old school Mountain West Conference game with Utah and TCU. Jim Thornby and I dive into the X’s and O’s of each game, the narrative around Dan Lanning’s “loophole” shared around social media and Cam Rising’s impact at Utah.
Thanks to our founding partner 76, we also had Max Browne, the lead analyst at The CW, join the podcast to share his insight on the ACC and Pac-12 and explain how a fun social media post turned into the biggest interview of his career with the Governor of Minnesota & possible U.S. Vice President Tim Walz at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Max shared insights into how he even got the interview, as well details on their conversation. We also dove into the concept around being a backup QB, how to navigate the world of social media in that role and the reality of being at your best when you do step onto the field.
As always, be sure to follow @YOptionfb all weekend long as our social media is dialed in!
Thanks for the love and support, off to Piscataway!
Yogi
This episode is executive produced by Jim Thornby and edited by Victor Ren.
This podcast is a Best Coast Media production.
Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Get full access to Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth at www.y-option.com/subscribe -
Week 7 is in the books and it was one we will be talking about for the rest of the season. As the CFP conversation begins to heat up, this past Friday and Saturday’s games will serve as a weekend full of data that will be re-visited time and time again in the first year of the 12-team playoff system.
The Ducks took down Ohio State in an instant classic, Penn State and Tyler Warren came from behind to beat USC in LA and the often-called “sleeping giant,” otherwise known as ASU, came to life upsetting Utah at home.
Thanks to our founding partner 76, longtime college football reporter and current NBC Sports College Football Insider Nicole Auerbach joined today’s episode and took us inside her experience on the set of NBC as they had the Ducks and Buckeyes on their network. She also shared her thoughts on Notre Dame’s path to the CFP, Dan Lanning’s program taking up space in college football and provided clarity on recent legislation around recruiting.
Nicole also reflects on her path from a child cheering on the New York Jets to now, inspiring the next generation of broadcasters, as she continues to ascend in her career as both an insider and an analyst on the set of NBC. This conversation will leave you inspired, informed and intrigued with the present and the future of college football.
Much love,
Yogi
This episode is executive produced by Jim Thornby and edited by Victor Ren.
This podcast is a Best Coast Media production.
Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Get full access to Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth at www.y-option.com/subscribe -
It’s finally here, Ohio State at Oregon.
The game we have all been talking about and with both teams ranked #2 and #3 respectively in the AP Poll, its the first ever AP Top 5 matchup at Autzen Stadium. ESPN College GameDay is en route to Eugene (a 2nd straight week on the West Coast!) for 2 teams that mirror one another AND with Chip Kelly returning it’s safe to say this game will have everyone's eyes on it this Saturday.
In advance, thanks to our founding partners at 76, we welcome former Duck and NFL safety Verone McKinley III. In 2021, he had the game-clinching interception on the road against then #3 Ohio State in an epic game. Three years later, the Buckeyes visit the Ducks in a now Big Ten conference game in what will be a phenomenal stage.
We dove into all things “big game” mentality. How do players block out the ‘noise,’ what will Verone and I be looking forward to on Saturday and will these teams meet again in the postseason?
In addition, Jim Thornby and I discuss what was “Upset Saturday” with 5 of the top 11 teams losing - all on the road, the environment as Minnesota beat then #11 USC and some surprises at the top of each conference in college football and how they could impact a potential Pac-12 trip to the CFP.
Be sure to follow @Yoption all week as we preview games in college football through the lens of the West Coast, with a little extra attention paid to the Ducks and the Buckeyes.
Much love,
Yogi
This episode is executive produced by Jim Thornby and edited by Victor Ren.
This podcast is a Best Coast Media production.
Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Get full access to Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth at www.y-option.com/subscribe - Show more
