Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth

Yogi Roth
  • 4.9 (143)
  • Sports
  • Updated Weekly

A college football podcast through the lens of the West Coast. Yogi Roth brings a uniquely expert, curious, and western take on the game we love. Facts first, opinions second. www.y-option.com

  1. 5d ago

    What Came Out of the Big Ten Meetings

    Bret Bielema has been in the room 18 times as a head coach in the two biggest conferences in the game. This year, the room was Big Ten spring meetings in Southern California. Head coaches, athletic directors, commissioners, all in the same space, hashing out the future of the game. And what came out of Terranea this year was one the entire sport was anticipating — a playoff expansion debate that isn’t slowing down, a new punt rule nobody practiced for, and a conference room full of some of the best coaches in the sport figuring out what comes next. Todd Blackledge and I brought Illinois head coach Bret Bielema on this weeks episode of Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth to break it all down, fueled by our founding sponsor 76, keeping you on the GO GO GO so you never miss a beat Here’s what stood out: * Coach Bielema wants 24 teams in the playoff — And he has receipts. He was leading a 12-1 Wisconsin team in the BCS era that got left out and that experience never left him. His argument now, is that the sport has changed too much — NIL, revenue share, roster management — for only 12 teams to have a chance at winning it all. * The punt rule landed wrong — Not because it’s necessarily a bad rule, but because it showed up after spring ball, with zero preparation time. In 18 years as a head coach, Coach Bielema has never seen something this consequential arrive so late and so unannounced. * The Big Ten room itself is different — He described it with real affection. P.J. Fleck to his right, Matt Rhule to his left, Dan Lanning and Curt Cignetti in the mix. Coaches who are who they are, every single day. And above all, Tony Petitti — a commissioner who communicates before the meeting, not during it. Nobody walks in cold. Nobody gets defensive. That, Coach Bielema says, is what separates this conference right now. Then we turned to Champaign — and what’s being built inside that building. 48% of his roster is new and for this program to meet its expectations and recent standards they must develop a true connection with one another and that is the focus of this off-season. The way Coach Bielema guides that is what will stand out. On the field, he’s as excited about his wide receiver room as he’s ever been, his safeties could be among the best in the conference and quarterback Katin Houser heads into fall camp as the guy. But the line that stuck with me didn’t come from the coach. It came from Houser himself, during our spring visit. “Around here, the hallways are warm.” Hope you enjoy today’s conversation and we are so appreciative of the support as we continue to grow Y-Option. Please be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you never miss a beat. Much love and stay steady, Yogi Y-Option: College Football Coast to Coast is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.y-option.com/subscribe

    28 min

  2. May 27

    Being a Financial-Athlete in College Football

    College football has changed forever. Not just because athletes can now earn money, but because 18, 19 and 20-year-olds are suddenly being asked to make decisions that most adults still struggle to navigate. That’s why this conversation hit different. Welcome to the latest episode of Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth, fueled by our founding sponsor 76, keeping you on the GO GO GO so you never miss a beat. In advance of the Elite 11 Finals, I sat down with Ohio State offensive lineman Luke Montgomery, Georgia quarterback Ryan Montgomery, and Dane Burkholder — a partner at Roseville Wealth, where he and his team manage over 2.1 Billion dollars every year. Dane also coined the phrase and founded the company The Financial Athlete. Today’s guests unpack the new reality in college football: The Rise of the Financial Athlete, and the way an All-American offensive lineman in Columbus and his quarterback brother in Athens navigate it all. For those seeking to surround themselves with athletic minds who are succeeding in the Financial Athlete world of college football — look no further than these two, and Dane, for role models. To be blunt: athletes and parents need to listen to this. The Montgomery brothers didn’t just talk about contracts or NIL deals — they talked about patience. Discipline. Delayed gratification. Building a trusted circle. Protecting their future. And understanding that money can either become a blessing…or a distraction. In other words, they used football analogies and applied them to their business life. As they should. Luke opened up about what it’s really like navigating the NIL era at a powerhouse like Ohio State — and how head coach Ryan Day embraces his responsibility to impact his team off the field when it comes to balancing football, expectations, leadership and real financial accountability at an incredibly young age. Ryan shared why development mattered more than chasing the biggest payday when he chose Kirby Smart’s Georgia Bulldogs, and how keeping the bigger picture in focus has shaped every decision he’s made since arriving in Athens. What stood out most to me was their perspective. Throughout our conversation, I kept thinking about what all of us who love sports so often preach — that the skills that allow you to find success on the field will always transition into life. And that is exactly where Dane Burkholder and his education around being a Financial Athlete meets the moment. Dane’s team and their content continues to impact this generation of athletes, parents and coaches in ways that are helping athletes on countless levels. Join THE HONOR ROLL campaign. Free Newsletter + Fun Gifts. As our conversation wound down, I was struck by how consistently Luke and Ryan kept thinking 20, 30, even 40 years ahead. About setting up their future families. About investing instead of reacting emotionally. About understanding that football won’t last forever. And maybe most importantly, they spoke about the power of environment. The right coaches. The right teammates. The right family. The right mentors. Or as my father still tells me: “You are the company you keep.” This episode will resonate with athletes, parents, recruits and honestly anyone navigating pressure, opportunity and long-term decision-making. Because the truth is, The Financial Athlete isn’t just a football conversation anymore. It’s a life conversation. It’s also Elite 11 Finals week — where every quarterback, parent and mentor will have seen this podcast and will get to be part of our powerful curriculum, Beyond the X’s and O’s, which we’ve been running for nearly 20 years. The people who taught Luke and Ryan how to navigate life from day one — Mom and Dad — will be special guests in an intimate conversation with Dane and me, going behind the scenes on how they raised their sons to thrive on the field while staying so level-headed off it, as Financial Athletes at two of the most pressure-packed universities in the nation. I can’t wait for this one — as a college football analyst and as a parent. Be sure to subscribe to Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth to get it right in your inbox, and on YouTube as we continue to grow our community. Much love and stay steady, Yogi 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. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.y-option.com/subscribe

    37 min

  3. May 18

    He Can Win The Heisman. So Why Is Nobody Talking About Him?

    There’s something refreshing about watching a quarterback bet on loyalty in an era built on movement. That’s what stood out most to me after sitting down with Noah Fifita on the latest episode of Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth, fueled by our founding sponsor 76 — keeping you on the GO GO GO so you never miss a beat. Noah has become one of the defining faces of modern college football, not because he chased the spotlight, but because he stayed put long enough for the spotlight to find him. Join THE HONOR ROLL campaign. Free Newsletter + Fun Gifts. In today’s game, quarterbacks transfer. Rosters flip overnight. Coaches leave. Expectations shift weekly. Yet here sits Fifita entering his final season at Arizona as one of only 5 senior starting quarterbacks still playing for the same school they originally signed with. And the wild part? That loyalty isn’t performative. It’s personal. You can feel it when he talks about Tucson, his teammates, his family and especially his grandparents — whose sacrifices created the foundation for the life he’s now living. The humility is real. So is the conviction. That combination is what makes him fascinating. While Noah carries himself with gratitude, there’s also a very real edge underneath it all. He believes Arizona can do something the program has never done before. He believes this team can compete for a conference title. He believes they belong in the Rose Bowl conversation. And yes — he believes he belongs in the Heisman conversation too. Not in an ego-driven way. In a competitor’s way. That distinction matters. The best quarterbacks I’ve been around often carry two seemingly opposite traits at the same time: humility and unshakable belief. Noah lives in both spaces comfortably. He speaks like someone grounded by family, faith and service, while simultaneously preparing like someone who expects to walk onto the field as the best player every Saturday. That’s rare. And honestly, it’s part of why this upcoming season feels so compelling for Arizona football. Noah isn’t trying to become “the guy who stayed.” He’s trying to become the quarterback who won. That mindset changes everything. After talking with him, I walked away thinking less about statistics and more about legacy. About what it means for a player to choose development over escape routes. About what happens when belief inside a locker room becomes stronger than outside noise. Arizona enters this season with expectations, but also with a quarterback whose story feels bigger than wins and losses. He’s dynamic enough to put up massive numbers.Tough enough to carry a program.Grounded enough to lead it. And if Arizona takes the leap many believe they’re capable of making this fall, don’t be surprised if the rest of the country starts talking about Noah Fifita the way Tucson already does. Not simply as a great college quarterback. But as a legitimate Heisman contender. Much love and stay steady, Yogi 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. A note on The Honor Roll For the next few weeks, every Y-Option newsletter is free to read in full, no paywall, as a thank-you to this community. Subscribers are automatically entered into The Honor Roll, which includes a Pac-12 helmet from my collection, a Madden family football Sunday experience at Goal Line Studios, and more. Free subscription is open to anyone at y-option.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.y-option.com/subscribe

    20 min

  4. May 14

    B1G Lessons Learned from the Road

    While no one is practicing this week in major college football Todd Blackledge and I sat down to reflect on our Road Trip this past spring in the Big Ten. In today’s Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth podcast we explore the conference that has crowned the last three National Champions and this past December, welcomed four new head coaches. And for the first time on this podcast we went LIVE on YouTube and X. If you haven’t subscribed, please do so you never miss a conversation around college football, Coast to Coast. Todd and I share our lessons learned and intel gathered from Penn State, UCLA, Michigan, Michigan State, Northwestern and Illinois. As always, every podcast is fueled by our founding sponsor, 76, keeping you on the GO GO GO so you never miss a beat. As always, much love and stay steady, Yogi 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. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.y-option.com/subscribe

    1h 28m

  5. May 13

    The Curiosity of Jedd Fisch

    I’ve known Jedd Fisch for a long time. So long that when I walked into his building this spring, I didn’t just see a head coach in year three — I saw the same guy from 2019 sitting outside his home in Hermosa Beach, pulling out notes and asking, what do you think of this? Back then, it wasn’t a job. It was a vision. I remember him walking me through it — how he’d structure a program, how he’d communicate, how he’d build it for players, his PRO mantra and more. It was detailed. Thoughtful. Almost like he was already living in a future that hadn’t arrived yet. Fast forward to today, and you can feel it the second you walk in the Washington facility. The building looks different. The roster looks different. The energy feels…settled. Not comfortable. Just clear. There is a steadiness to it. But every head coach has a starting point, and for Washington head coach Jedd Fisch, it all started with his curiosity to learn about the game of football. And that is where we started on today’s Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth podcast, fueled by our founding sponsor 76, keeping you on the GO GO GO so you never miss a beat. Not the buzzword version. The real kind. The kind that shows up when you’re five years old asking questions during the entire drive from New Jersey to Florida. The kind that never really turns off. That curiosity didn’t just make him a better coach. It made him a collector — of ideas, experiences and people. And when you sit with him now, you realize his program isn’t built off one philosophy. It’s built on years of filtering what fits, what lasts and what actually connects with players. Personally, this conversation was a fun one for me. Coach Fisch and I first crossed paths in 2009 when we were both interviewing with the Seattle Seahawks. He got the job. I transitioned into media. But we stayed connected, and over the years we’ve had countless conversations around football, leadership and quarterback play. Which is why this episode felt different, as I only asked questions I didn’t know the answers to. And honestly, those are usually the best conversations. Topics Covered * Demond Williams and why scars are unavoidable for quarterbacks * His relationship with QB1 * A deep dive into Jedd Fisch’s mind as a play-caller * His kitchen table as a child — something we ask every Elite 11 quarterback * Why Year 3 feels different in Seattle * What discipline looks like with this Washington roster * The potential of the 2026 Huskies * Why joy isn’t a tactic — it’s a byproduct of trust Hope you enjoy this week’s Y-Option conversation. And if you’re just joining us, thank you. Take a look back at some of our recent episodes and be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel, where we pride ourselves on bringing thoughtful and insightful conversations around college football every week. Appreciate you being here and following along this spring. More coming soon. Much love and stay steady, Yogi 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. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.y-option.com/subscribe

    27 min

  6. May 5

    The Question I Never Asked Dan Lanning

    I’ve known Dan Lanning for 15 years. We’ve had a lot of conversations over that time. So going into this one, I didn’t want to hit the same notes, didn’t want to discuss the topics we’ve covered before and hoped to stick to my lone rule during interviews: "ask questions I don’t know the answers to.” That wasn’t easy, but it was a blast to prepare for and it started with something I was almost embarrassed I hadn’t asked: “Why do you coach?” And honestly, everything flowed from there. If you’ve read this newsletter you know how much I respect Dan Lanning’s DNA Traits: Connection, Growth, Toughness and Sacrifice. But not just because they offer clarity to anyone walking into their facility but because they offer a standard for those who join his program. Standards are easy to create but after completing my spring tour across the country, it is clear that they are not as easy to uphold. After talking with Coach Lanning on the latest Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth podcast, fueled by our founding sponsor 76—keeping you on the GO GO GO so you never miss a beat, my mind was racing in route to my favorite cafe on the West Coast, Meraki, and onto my laptop while boarding a flight up north to Seattle to see UW. Many people think that the Ducks win and retain players because they have resources, and yes they do. But they also have a group of returning players who love to learn from and follow their head coach. They know if they are willing to, as he says, “take the medicine” they will find tremendous growth. From journaling post game to training this off-season, the entire 360 degree process in Eugene is a blueprint for success. And now, the Oregon football process is player-owned and that is a reason why I think the Ducks can take the next step this fall and win the whole thing. My Key Takeaways * Coaching at its highest level is when you impact someone in a profound way. * Standards matter more when players own them. * Accountability has to be modeled, not just demanded. * Growth comes from self-awareness and reflection. * Obsession with improvement > obsession with praise. (personal favorite) * Relationships still drive everything inside the Ducks program. Hope you enjoy and thanks for the support along the way this spring. Am excited to share with you feature conversation’s over the next month with head coaches and elite players across the nation. Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter here at Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth and our YouTube page. Much love and stay steady, Yogi 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. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.y-option.com/subscribe

    28 min
  7. A Drive, a Walk and Notre Dame

    Apr 29

    A Drive, a Walk and Notre Dame

    In the summer of 1999 my Dad and I drove from Pennsylvania to Indiana, stopping at almost every college along the way. The goal we spoke of on those highways: find a place to play college football. The goal we never spoke of but was the underlying dream: earn a scholarship to Notre Dame. While that never happened, I did play and coach against the Irish. But the truth looking back was that driving with my Dad allowed both of us to listen, learn and discover. Me about him as a father and him about my passion for college football. Fast forward to the spring of 2026 and I found myself, along with Todd Blackledge, pulling into South Bend, walking the campus and reminiscing about our childhoods, drives with our fathers and both getting lost in the wonderment of the ND campus. I also got to hear what led Todd to Penn State and what it was like growing up as a premiere player in the midwest. The stories were endless, the laughter hearty and the connection meaningful. Reminiscent of that drive back in 1999 in many ways. When the sun rose the following morning Todd and I found ourselves in the 2026 Irish team meeting, analyzing practice, meeting with coaches, sitting down with a Heisman candidate and Elite 11 alum CJ Carr and learning from a powerful conversation with head coach Marcus Freeman. Afterwards, Todd and I reflected on lessons learned in South Bend and shared what we think about Notre Dame on the latest episode of Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth, fueled by our founding sponsor 76, keeping you on the GO GO GO so you never miss a beat. A few high level takeaways: * The nostalgia during a walk around Notre Dame’s Stadium as the sun rises will give you the chills. * CJ Carr is elite — full ownership of the offense, deep understanding beyond just the pass game. * Clarity at quarterback = growth everywhere else. * Receiver room feels upgraded — deeper, more competitive, more dynamic. * Defense remains the backbone — experienced, physical, with added interior presence via the portal. * Charlie Partridge is a huge addition to the coaching staff. And he was on the Pitt staff back in the day so it was a full circle moment on many levels for me. * Culture is intentional — last season’s CFP decision has been used as fuel. * A key to 2026: start fast — urgency around opening the season strong is real Finally, this leg of our Spring Tour also served as a reminder that life goes even faster than a college football season. Watching Irish wideout Devin Fitzgerald compete in practice put a smile on my face as his Dad, Larry, was one of my college roommates over 20 years ago. I can recall the day he was born and watching him run routes had Todd and I sharing stories about our kids and our childhoods. It served as a simple reminder that sports are a catalyst for conversation, change and inspiration. We hope today’s conversation allows you to learn about Notre Dame in 2026 and maybe, just maybe reflect on a car ride with a loved one. Thanks for the support on this Spring Coast to Coast Tour and if you’ve missed any of our past episodes at Indiana, Ohio State, Oregon and others be sure to subscribe to our YouTube page, as Todd and I are just warming up this off-season. Much love and stay steady, Yogi 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. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.y-option.com/subscribe

    12 min

  8. Apr 21

    Ohio State Doesn’t Reset

    Draft week always carries a certain energy. You feel it in conversations, in locker rooms, in the quiet moments between reps. It’s the anticipation of what’s next. For some, it’s the culmination of a lifelong dream. For others, it’s a reminder that time keeps moving. When walking into the Woody Hayes Athletic Center with Todd Blackledge, that energy was there. Welcome to this weeks Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth podcast, fueled by our founding sponsor 76, keeping you on the GO GO GO so you never miss a beat. From Columbus, Todd and I talk about his Draft Day, as well as dive into the 2026 Ohio State Buckeyes. It’s expected that 4 players will be drafted in the top 10 this week from Ohio State but let’s make one thing clear — this program doesn’t reset — it reloads. And yet, by every modern measure, this years roster feels different. Over 50 new players have entered the program since the end of last season and in today’s game, that kind of turnover can challenge a teams identity. Not in the great state of O-H-I-O. If anything, it felt tighter. Many of the players who arrived didn’t need to be convinced of the standard. They already knew it. Some had relationships with coaches. Others had studied the program long before they stepped into the building. So instead of adapting to a culture they stepped into one they were ready for. Hope you enjoy this week’s podcast and if if you haven’t, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel. Quick Takeaways from Ohio State * Ohio State doesn’t rebuild — it evolves with intention * 50+ new players, yet zero drop in identity or expectation * The portal is being used to reinforce culture, not replace it * “Tough love” shows up in daily standards, not messaging * The best players are also the hardest workers — and it’s contagious * The receiver room sets a tone that elevates the entire roster * Year two at quarterback brings ownership, not just experience 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. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.y-option.com/subscribe

    9 min
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About

A college football podcast through the lens of the West Coast. Yogi Roth brings a uniquely expert, curious, and western take on the game we love. Facts first, opinions second. www.y-option.com

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