Empty the Call Sheet (Dec. 9)

From the plane home back to the West Coast, Yogi's weekly Sunday* newsletter

How about those teams out West!?

Standing on the floor of Lucas Oil Stadium, watching green and white confetti stream onto the faces of players should paint a permanent smile on any college football fan, as that moment reflects what sports are capable of.

Conference Championship Weekend in December of 2024 represented dreams actualized, a stage of a journey completed, and a celebration earned.

And for all of us out West, it was an opportunity to flex our muscles, speak a little more confidently and remind the nation that ELITE college football is played in the Pacific & Mountain time zones.

By the time you finished your first latte or morning workout on Sunday, the Oregon Ducks, Arizona State Sun Devils and Boise State Broncos had earned first round byes in the 2024 college football playoffs by winning the Big Ten, Big 12 and Mountain West Conference. In addition, the one-time Pac-12 rumored SMU Mustangs also found their way into the new-look CFP. Think about that for a moment – two teams from the old Pac-12 won a new conference title, one team who was almost in the old Pac-12 was in a conference championship game and a team on their way into the future Pac-12 also earned a first round bye.

Irony? Maybe. Heartbreaking? Potentially. Satisfying? 100%.

It’s easy to play the “What If?” game when it comes to conference realignment, but like we stated from the start of this newsletter, we are going to Celebrate the Game & Coach the Viewer. Move forward, not look back. Be thoughtful, not spiteful.

So let’s start there as I reflect on Championship Weekend and the recently released CFP Bracket.

I started off my weekend watching Boise State and potential Heisman Trophy winning running back Ashton Jeanty do what he’s done all season – dominate. He went over 200 rushing yards for the 6th time this season and under 1st year head coach Spencer Danielson, has the Broncos channeling Chris Petersen vibes. It continued with ASU shocking the college football world by dominating Iowa State in the Big 12 title game with Kenny Dillingham’s squad fully #Activated. After incredible SEC and ACC finishes, the B1G title game delivered with Oregon winning with its offense over Penn State in a phenomenal atmosphere.

During the Oregon/PSU game I would jog from end zone to end zone, watching plays develop, coaches communicating and players rising up. According to my iPhone I navigated nearly 5 miles during the game and every step was a blast. I spent the entire 4th quarter next to Howard Griffith, my new friend and fellow analyst at Big Ten Network. It was awesome to listen to him break down the game and another reminder of how lucky I am to call this craft a job.

The game had it all. Thanks to performances from veteran quarterbacks like Heisman hopeful Dillon Gabriel and Drew Allar, this year's B1G title game had graduate level play at QB. Both offensive coordinators put on a clinic and both fan bases’ passion was felt from the basement to the ceiling of Lucas Oil Stadium.

When the game ended I didn’t have any responsibilities on-air, having been on our 2 hour pre-game show which included our feature on Dillon Gabriel’s journey. Thus I was able to observe, listen, and take it all in as Penn State walked off the field and Oregon danced on it.

I had met Dan Lanning’s father, Don, earlier in the day and he said a line that every parent will understand, “I just love watching him do what he loves.”

When the game ended, my eye caught that of Nike co-founder and lover of all things Ducks, Phil Knight. He seemed to have tears in his eyes. He watched Coach Lanning leave the podium and hug his players, and then his parents. Afterwards one of the most innovative men in the last century also had an embrace with his head coach. It was long, it was tight and I’d imagine powerful words were mentioned. Earlier in the week, I had asked Coach Lanning if Phil Knight ever offered him advice and he spoke about the impact that Uncle Phil has had on him. I can only wonder what was said when they embraced.

As the reigning Big Ten Champion coach walked to the Big Ten Network set I caught him, said congrats and reminded him of a hell of a journey. “How about that man, from Pitt to this?!” He smiled, fully aware of the moment and seemingly taking it all in as Coming Home rang throughout the stadium.

I shut my eyes around 3am Sunday morning only to wake up a few hours later to drive to Bloomington to sit down with Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti along with assistant coaches and players to talk about the recently revealed 12-team playoff bracket alongside Ashley Adamson.

Yogi with Ashley Adamson at Indiana on Sunday

It was incredible to feel the excitement in their facility, as in-state power Notre Dame will host the Hoosiers in less than two weeks. If you love college football, a Friday night in December in South Bend is going to be a moment you’ll always remember. Fun fact, my college visit to Pitt was when the Panthers beat Notre Dame in the final game in Pitt Stadium in 1999. Cignetti was on that Pitt staff. Of course he was.

On my flight back to the West Coast, I took time to reflect on this season and I couldn’t stop smiling.

My gratitude for a season with countless newfound friends in the Big Ten, appreciation for the numerous fans who stopped Ashley and I to say “Welcome to the B1G” or “glad you were able to land on-air in the Big Ten,” and admittedly a playful smirk that was eager to remind others that there is elite football out West.

Speaking of the West Coast, for years the nation seemed to believe the notion that big time football can’t exist in the Pacific time zone and for years I would continue to hammer the 4-team CFP. It never made sense to me when 5 power leagues were filling up 4 slots with a variety of inequities among the leagues. Finally, we have an expanded playoff and while it’s not a perfect system, along with conference realignment, it allowed for new logos to earn an invite to what some hope is an invitational in the college football postseason.

ASU, always dubbed a “Sleeping Giant” is fully awake after earning their invite.

Boise State, always respected but rarely given a chance to compete with the big brands, now gets their shot.

SMU proved that games matter more than brand awareness.

And Oregon is the only team I truly trust in college football.

Speaking of trust, who do you trust in this new look playoff?

Indiana and Notre Dame have a realistic path to the national title, as we don’t know Georgia’s plans at QB. Oregon has the most daunting path but at least it starts inside the Rose Bowl. I hope that Ohio State fans support their team in a night game. To my friends in Pennsylvania, you have a team capable of also winning it all, but you must respect SMU coming to Happy Valley.

Finally, a few shout outs.

• Penn State fans. I grew up in Dalton, Pennsylvania and from the time I touched down in Indy, I met so many people that traveled from PA. It was incredible to reminisce, hear about things back home and to feel their support out West. It’s true, there is always something special about where you come from and to all of those in Northeastern PA, or NEPA, thank you for inspiring my sporting life and staying in touch.

• Marcus Arroyo and Brian Ward. These two ASU coordinators have been brilliant this season. The job they’ve done in Tempe is as impressive as any duo in college football. Study their schemes and you will walk away saying that those two could go up against any OC/DC in the game.

• The Dan Lanning Coaching Tree. It’s growing in real time and is a fascinating thing to witness. Coaching will always have the same foundational elements when it comes to being successful, but this era of athletes and this new world in college football is also welcoming a new class of coaches with a different style. Dan Lanning and Kenny Dillingham stand out in a big way on the West Coast. Keep an eye on the coaches that are impacted by both of them moving forward. Can you imagine if Oregon and ASU face off in the semifinals?

• The Heisman. I’ve been conflicted the past two weeks on who to vote for. It’s due Monday at 2pm PST. Who’s in? Does the West Coast vote split? Is Travis Hunter the most outstanding player? Would he be your top wideout? Top DB? How about Cam Skattebo? Tyler Warren? Dillon Gabriel? Cam Ward? Ashton Jeanty? Shedeur Sanders? Jalen Milroe? I spoke with a few fellow voters and the majority are torn. I think that’s a good thing for the sport. It’s an amazing experience and Jim Thornby and I will be there to cover it. Be sure to follow us on Threads for all access.

The Gift of Y-Option!

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Thanks for the love, support and conversation - it’s been quite the ride this fall and know we are just ramping up. As always, much love and stay steady.

Yogi

P.S. It’s still 72 degrees in LA :)