The Yogi Roth Show

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 Bru

“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,

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

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

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

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 Ne

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 th

It’s a week of firsts!ESPN College GameDay is coming to Berkeley for the first time ever.I’m off to call a game at Minnesota for the first time ever.And Cal Head Coach Justin Wilcox was a guest on a podcast for the first time EVER!Thankfully it was here at Y-Option.I’ve known Coach Wilcox for almost 20 years and while he is gifted as a coach, talented as a leader, and thoughtful as a friend, what always stands out to me is his humility.The son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Dave Wilcox, Justin could have easily felt that life would be handed to him as a player or given a pass as a coach, but none of that happened. He earned it all. First as a QB turned DB at Oregon and then as a young assistant turned head coach in college football. And while a ton changes around him, his humility remains the same – Elite.He notably states with great pride that he is the ‘Son of a Hall of Farmer,’ as Dave loved being on his tractor on their farm and I can’t help but imagine how much joy his Dad would have sitting in his reclin

Week 6 is here and Bruce Feldman joined Y-Option to break it all down. Bruce was a student reporter at “The U”, as in Miami, and the West Coast is abuzz as College GameDay heads to Berkeley for the first time EVER! He offers insight and analysis into Mario Cristobal’s team, which Bruce thinks is their most talented team in 20 years.Having played on the same field as that team 22 years ago, I’d have to agree.This year's ‘Canes may not be better, but they have a QB who is simply special in Cam Ward.Former Cal WR, founder of Elite 11, and mentor Andy Bark reminded me today that the state of California has always had an impact on the QB position at Miami. Players like Heisman winner Gino Torretta, Ken Dorsey, Kyle Wright, Brad Kaaya and more have been gone from the Golden State to QB1 for the Hurricanes. Ironically, the Cal Bears starting QB Fernando Mendoza hails from Miami and Christopher Columbus High School, which Mario Cristobal also attended. To add to it, Cristobal was high school teammates with Mendoza’s

Week 5 has arrived and in some ways things have changed in college football and in other respects, it has stayed the same.Arizona heads to Utah on Friday night in a Big 12 clash and while the starting QB for the Utes is not solidified, we do know that the depth, talent and coaching acumen at Utah remains elite. And I highly doubt they have forgotten the last :37 ticks of last year’s game vs the Wildcats.In this episode we had Bill Riley, longtime voice of the Utes, on the Y-Option podcast to share his insights on #10 ranked Utah football team as well as offer an update on his new endeavor as Utah Athletics’ Director of Broadcasting. Bill has always been a great friend who is both kind and insightful, as well as brilliant at his craft and willing to share his knowledge. It was a fun conversation around a program that had a big impact on my life on-air and personally. Walking through Salt Lake City on a fall weekend was always a joy, as the Ute fans love their team and appreciate a thoughtful conversation. Take

I never got into House of Cards on Netflix. Was late to the party and there were so many episodes that it seemed a little intimidating, as I never felt I’d finish the entire series. But after living through realignment over the past few years, I wonder if that series would have benefitted me in some way.Regardless, here we sit with news out of the AAC and pending news from the Pac-12 Conference around new additions to the West Coast. I learned last year that I am not a media rights expert and in the fall I rarely have time to dive into the business of football while preparing to call games so today we did the next best thing – had the expert in all things realignment, John Canzano, on the podcast.We recorded at 11:30am PT and by the time we hung up, the AAC said their schools would remain home but thankfully we dove into other potential additions to the Pac-12, as well as the impact that realignment has had in college football.I learned that John has a spreadsheet of games that he leans on when choosing which

The Pac-12 has owned the airwaves this week.It began by adding 4 new schools last Thursday morning and continued with Washington State’s epic win in the Apple Cup on a 4th down stop that will be talked about for decades.While Pac-12 Commissioner Teresa Gould did not call a play last Saturday in college football, she did create the playbook that added San Diego State, Fresno State, Boise State and Colorado State last Thursday. Commissioner Gould has been a friend for decades and when she was hired to lead the Pac-12 months ago, she was not only the perfect hire, but in my eyes, the only person for the job.On Day One, she stated that she would be bold, aggressive, open minded and intentional. Now well into her 7th month, she has delivered on all 4.In a conversation fueled by our founding partner 76, Commissioner Gould joined the Y-Option podcast to share her insight and expertise as the Pac-12 completed Phase One of the rebuild and is into Phase Two. We dove into subjects that are immediate, like what WSU will

Late last week news broke that the Pac-12 was taking its next step toward rebuilding by adding four new schools: Boise State, San Diego State, Fresno State and Colorado State. As we spoke to a variety of people involved in the expansion, as well as coaches around college football, one thing was clear – there was excitement about the historic conference's move.In addition, there was curiosity about the next play call on Commissioner Teresa Gould’s call sheet. Would she add more teams in the immediate future? Would recently departed teams return? Which schools were calling her?!All fair questions to be answered in due time, but the current reality is that the 4 on their way to what should be the premiere West Coast conference have a chance to create something new, something special, something necessary. This week we had longtime coach and respected media member, Mike Sanford, on the Y-Option podcast. Mike played at Boise State under Dan Hawkins and coached at a variety of places around the country such as his a

While late November of 2021 may seem like decades ago for Jake Dickert, it was one of the most transformational moments in his coaching life and he can recall every moment. Then the interim head coach at Washington State, he led the Cougars into Seattle to face the Washington Huskies in the Apple Cup which the Cougs won 40-13. That next day, he would lose the interim tag and be formally introduced as the Head Coach at WSU. Simply, his life would be changed forever.This Saturday, the 116th Apple Cup returns to the gridiron, but nothing about this year's game mirrors its historic past. The Huskies are in the new-look Big Ten, the Cougs are holding it down in the Pac-12 and the game will be played at Lumen Field in Seattle, home of the Seattle Seahawks.Yet some things do remain the same: the pageantry, the competitive spirit in this rivalry and the opportunity it poses for players to add to their story. Of course surrounding this game is conversation around realignment, media rights and a September rivalry game.

It’s Rivalry Week!No, that is not a typo and yes, it’s Rivalry Week in the Pacific Northwest and in the Pac-12 Conference. For the first time ever, these 2 games will be played in September.The Oregon State Beavers host the Oregon Ducks in the 128th meeting of the game formerly known as the Civil War. This is the 7th most played match-up in college football history and tied for 2nd at the FBS level.The Washington State Cougars and the Washington Huskies meet up at Lumen Field, home of the Seattle Seahawks, in the 116th Apple Cup. This will be the 2nd time this matchup will take place in this stadium as the renovation of Husky Stadium forced the move in 2011.And with realignment still fresh in all four fan bases minds, there is even more spice added to these epic rivalries. It’s human nature and it’s part of the new world of college football.I’ve been at both of these games over the years and was on the broadcast for an Oregon State/Oregon game just a few years ago. The energy is different, the passion is thro

It's Week 2! There are so many games of note that will impact the landscape of college football, the power struggle at the top, and factor into teams’ College Football Playoff arguments. We were able to talk to Colorado beat writer Brian Howell, from Buffzone and the Daily Camera, who knows the Buffaloes better than anyone in the nation. The Buffs, in their first year back in the Big-12, visit former Big-12 power Nebraska in a rivalry that has always delivered. Just recently, you can go from K.D. Nixon’s 96-yard flea flicker in 2019, to the hype train that was Coach Prime’s team last year that captured the nation, to this Saturday’s meeting in Lincoln.One thing is for certain, both teams believe in their process, players and QBs. It's a grand stage for Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter on NBC and the first time the nation will get a prime time look at Dylan Raiola. In my eyes this contest will favor the team that can either protect the passer or get after the QB. Expect high drama and high stakes.For more col

Week 1 was here and it delivered in a brilliant way. The USC Trojans met the moment, beating ranked LSU behind a Miller Moss performance that had the college football community buzzing, tweeting & reshuffling their Top 25.The Ducks final score wasn't what most predicted, but the talent in Eugene remains and as expected, America’s Teams won both of their openers. We also released Y-Option’s first weekly awards of the 2024 season, the Go Go Go Awards, presented by our founding partner, 76.The storylines are plentiful so we brought on Rhett Lewis to the Y-Option podcast to discuss week 1 and his first broadcast alongside Guy Haberman and myself on the Big Ten Network. He shares his path to Indiana as a walk-on turned scholarship wideout, his career arc which began covering Mike Leach (and a young Lincoln Riley) at Texas Tech to the NFL Network and BTN, how he met his wife along the way & we even take a deep dive into parenthood while navigating our jobs in broadcasting. Finally, Rhett shares what he has

Bill Walton would often state that he was the luckiest man in the world. Every time he would say that with his infectious energy I’d smile, and I bet you would too. He looked at life through an incredible lens and one that was optimistic and oftentimes inspiring.Heading into my 16th year of putting a headset on as a broadcaster, I too feel like Bill often did. Over the course of time, I’ve stood next to Steve Physioc, Kevin Calabro and for the better part of the last decade, Ted Robinson. How lucky have I been to have been given a PhD by those three in the school of broadcasting!? Let alone having Lewis Johnson, Samantha Ponder, Jill Savage, Cindy Brunson, Ashley Adamson and more on the sideline. It’s been an absolute joy and it’s an understatement to share how each of those gifted professionals have impacted millions of sports fans, and myself.This week brings a new season with a new crew, a new logo, and a new network. I’ll be in a familiar setting - overlooking Autzen Stadium in prime time on Saturday nigh

Pete Carroll changed my life.I can vividly recall calling a few of my teammates at Pitt during my first week on the job as a member of the USC Football staff in the winter of 2005. “Guys, I wish you could have been coached by Pete Carroll and this staff. It’s incredible!”My former teammates would often ask why and while I couldn't nail the answer, I could compete to explain the energy, optimism and education he shared every day.From the moment I met him at 19-years-old to now, there has not been a greater influence in all aspects of my life. Of course in football, as Coach Carroll offered me a lens into the game that very few have. But he also impacted me as a friend, father and husband. I’ve often said that my parents created the clay that is my life and Pete molded it in my 20s. A month before I got married, I flew to Seattle as I just had to get some time with Coach. He had been in the NFL for a while and I’d been building my life in Los Angeles. We would speak a few times a year and each time, I felt impa

There is an on-going conversation around being a multi-sport athlete versus being singularly focused. Being the parent of a 9-year-old, I see these things becoming more and more of a discussion. Sport specific, playing one sport year round, paying thousands of dollars on private coaches or club teams and more. It’s a hard lane to navigate as a parent and even harder as an athlete. This is a topic we are extremely passionate about at Y-Option. Go multi-sport or focus on football, perhaps with a private coach? Guess what — it’s not either/or. It’s all about finding the path that’s best for you, and adjusting it along the way.One conversation in particular has always stuck with me. I was talking with George Whitfield, the first private quarterback coach in the modern social media era. He went on to appear on ESPN’s College GameDay for years, and trained multiple first-round QBs.He said, “Equate the potential of a young quarterback to that of a young musician. If your child truly aspires to grow and achieve as a