Reflections from a Road Trip in Eugene

Autzen was rocking, the CFP rolls on, and a small thank-you from Y-Option

There is something about going on a drive.

Around 5:30 a.m. this morning, I found myself thinking about that simple idea.

A drive across the country.
A drive from a hotel to an airport.
A drive into a stadium.

Looking out a window at clouds, mountains, or the ocean almost always evokes an emotion, a memory, or a thought.

Today, I was thinking about the long drive that a season is.

It begins with a vision for a team of 100+ players and 50+ staff members. It continues with a plan to execute that vision and is constantly challenged by the task of keeping an entire organization moving in the same direction.

There are distractions. Stop lights. Detours. Maybe even a flat tire.

But the best drives—and the best teams—leave room for unexpected growth while always keeping an eye on the destination. Sometimes we arrive on time. Other times, the timing just isn’t right. But if you’re doing it right, you’re always on the path, always moving in the right direction.

That’s where my mind went as I watched the first round of the College Football Playoff.

Think about Alabama—they lost to Florida State in the opener, went on a run, looked anything but a CFP team in the SEC Championship Game and the first half against Oklahoma…but they kept moving. One city block at a time. One country mile at a time. Now Kalen DeBoer and company find themselves in the Rose Bowl against my pick to win it all: Indiana. So stoked to be there to cover it all on Big Ten Network.

How about Ole Miss? Lane Kiffin departs in dramatic fashion, yet the program maintains its desire to move forward.

Same with Miami. They’ve been driving toward relevance for over 20 years and finally have it in the postseason. Timing—truly something none of us can control but think we can.

Last night, I was able to spend time with the Oregon Ducks. Autzen was rocking.

I’ve been going there for over 20 years as a coach, broadcaster, or reporter, and the vibe was different. Hosting a CFP game elevated the entire experience. Talking with fans, coaches, and players, it was clear that win or go home carries a different intensity.

They looked dominant at times—and at others, slowed by traffic jams. I actually liked that they didn’t play clean in the second half. It’ll give Coach Dan Lanning real fuel as his team “goes to the doctor,” as they say, and gets honest about its performance.

Post Game interviews on BTN

I also spent time postgame with new UCLA head coach Bob Chesney. What stood out most was this: he expected to win.

We all saw the talent gap. Recruiting rankings back that up. But in my time around this game, the best coaches never concede based on talent or stats. They get their teams to believe they can win—and that belief has to start with them.

So much so that James Madison didn’t fly out last night. They knew that if they advanced, rest would be critical for a potential quarterfinal game.

If I’m in Westwood, that fires me up.

My dad is driving across the country this week—from Pennsylvania to Los Angeles—a path Coach Chesney’s life is embarking on now, and a drive I know well, having made it myself more than 20 years ago.

I asked my dad why he wanted to drive instead of fly. His response made me smile.

“I want to see the country—and I have the time to do it.”

He’s nearing 80 years old, and if you’ve ever watched Life in a Walk, him driving—or walking—won’t surprise you. He wants to see Middle America, Big Ten country if you will. Roll the windows down. Play music. Let nature take its course.

Driving into the Eugene airport this morning amid steady rain, I’m feeling reflective.

Today will be my final flight of 2025, and each drive, each flight, each game has felt special.

Conversations with colleagues. Lessons learned from fans about their communities. Random encounters with old friends at hotels. Challenges met by teams. Dreams achieved as a broadcaster.

So as we enter the holiday season—and a few days where the news cycle has a chance to slow down—I want to say thank you to this community for coming along on this drive with Y-Option.

You have countless routes you can take when it comes to consuming college football content. At any moment, you can unsubscribe—take an exit ramp—yet most of you haven’t. And I’m grateful for that.

And for those who have? All good. Feel free to yell out the window and let us know how we can improve for the next car.

If you’ve made it this far and enjoy the insights and thoughtful content, let us know. Today we’ll gift eight free subscriptions to Y-Option in honor of the eight teams still cruising on the CFP freeway. Just send me a direct message with your email and we’ll make it happen. And if you are seeking a gift for someone this holiday season, we’ve got a little stocking stuffer for you too.

I’m about to land back in L.A., call my dad to see where he is on his drive, and race home to love on our kids. Because among all the roads we travel and all the people who come in and out of our car, the ones that matter most are the ones under our roof.

And I’m so fired up to be around them for the next two weeks.

Before the Rose Bowl kicks off, here’s what’s coming at Y-Option:

• A powerful conversation with Jim Mora, new head coach at Colorado State

• Rose Bowl Media Day coverage on Big Ten Network and right here at Y-Option

• Y-Option: SCOUTING breakdowns on CFP games

• Story time around my small role in Miami vs. Ohio State back in 2002–03

• Why I believe the CFP must expand to 24 teams

Much love, happy holidays and stay steady,

Yogi