Jessica Smetana and Lucy Rohden welcome you to ‘College Football Happy Hour’
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College football is almost here, and no one is more excited than Jessica Smetana and Lucy Rohden.
Many of us first heard of Smetana and Rohden on The Dan Le Batard Show, but now they’ve launched a podcast dedicated to the sport they love. College Football Happy Hourpromises a fun look at the games, players, coaches, and the absurdities of it all. The podcast debuted last week and will run throughout the season.
We caught up with Smetana and Rohden to discuss their new show.
Note: This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
Is this show an evolution of what you did on The Dan Le Batard Show?
Jessica Smetana: “I would say so. We have been talking about doing something like that for a while, but in a longer format. Earlier this summer, we were going over ideas. What we would call a show and how we would make a show. Then we decided, let’s make an episode and see what happens. So we made an episode, and since we already have chemistry, we thought it was good. We were like, well, yeah, publish it and see what happens. So far, so good.”
What are the biggest challenges in putting this together?
Lucy Rohden: “I would say one of the biggest challenges is that I’m really bad at tech stuff, so our first time recording it took us about an hour to figure out how to plug the mics in, which I know sounds stupid, but we had to use a separate machine, and the machine was really difficult. We had it plugged in the wrong spot, so we thought it was broken, and then I didn’t press record. Most of this has been my fault, but not having someone who’s technically savvy here to do it has been a little bit of a challenge.”
So, is this a two-person operation?
Jessica Smetana: “Exactly, yeah, and we were able to ask our friend Charlotte (Wilder), who has a podcast, The Sports Gossip Show. She helped us by telling us what tech she uses, and then some of our other friends with other independent college football shows helped us start an RSS feed. It’s been helpful to have a lot of friends who could make it really easy and do all the work for us, basically. They’ve already had to do it themselves, so now it’s like, here’s what worked for us, and so far it’s worked for us too.”
Could you describe the decision to lean into the fun of college football rather than the current problems?
Lucy Rohden: “Sometimes it can feel now that the people talking about college football don’t necessarily like it very much, and I don’t think that’s the case for everybody, but with how kind of chaotic the sport is, it’s really easy to focus on the doom and gloom…
“But as chaotic as the sport is, it’s still an awesome sport, still a stupid sport in the most endearing way. It’s still something we’re going to love and watch every Saturday. So to have a podcast or a show that appreciates that aspect of college football, I think, is something we all kind of need right now. And I know NFL players are trying to play in the league at the moment, but we still want to talk about the games and have a good time.”
Why should someone check out College Football Happy Hour?
Jessica Smetana: “I think people want to listen to shows where it feels like they’re hanging out with their friends at a tailgate, and that’s kind of the ethos of our show. We’re not going to talk about temporary restraining orders and injunctions any longer than we have to. We’re going to focus on the things that are topical, fun, and make us happy. At the end of the day, this all exists for our entertainment. It is a television product, and it should be entertaining to hear people talk about it.”
Is there a game-day experience you haven’t attended but would like to?
Lucy Rohden: “We actually just talked about this. We’d love to go to North Dakota State. Fargodome, yeah, I’ve heard wonderful things. I still haven’t been to Virginia Tech; that’s high on my list. We’d love to go to the Montanas. I haven’t been to Texas Tech. I haven’t heard fantastic things about Lubbock, but I do want to go.”
And for you, Jessica?
Jessica Smetana: “I would echo North Dakota (State), Montana, and Upper Midwest locations. We’ve both been to a lot of the Big Ten. I’ve been to a lot of the ACC and some SEC, but those are probably the main ones. That’s the main region of the U.S. I haven’t traveled to. I would also do a Cal Berkeley game, a Hawaii game, a San Diego State game. Places I’d like to go on vacation, basically.”
Which season openers are you looking forward to?
Lucy Rohden: “For this weekend, I’m excited for NC State-Virginia and Hawaii-Stanford. We talked about that a bit. I’m really pumped for anything at this point. I think Clemson-LSU just got a lot funnier because I saw a great tweet. I can’t remember who wrote it, so I don’t want to take credit for it. They were like, ‘I can’t believe that Lane’s got us all rooting for Dabo right now.’”
“The Week 2 slate’s a little bit better than the Week 1, but I’m just happy to be there. Louisville-Ole Miss Week 1’s also caught my eye. I’m really excited for UCLA-Cal”
Jessica Smetana: “I’m excited for UCLA-Cal also. SMU-FSU has got some potential to be crazy. The spread’s only 2.5 points. It feels really low.”
For Jessica, what’s it like co-hosting your Notre Dame podcast, The Echoes, with Mike Golic Jr.?
Jessica Smetana: “Mike is awesome. He’s an expert o-line watcher, which I think is an underrated value in the football space because it’s hard to evaluate what offensive linemen do. Having him has been really helpful. He’s also a former player, so he knows the ins and outs of the Notre Dame program, and, of course, his dad is Mike Golic Sr. So, it’s just like a great family. I love the Golics. I love working with Mike. He’s such a great partner. There aren’t enough good things I can say about him. We’ll be hosting a live show ahead of the Notre Dame-Wisconsin game at Lambeau Field next weekend, which will be our first live show together.”
What is your prediction for the national champion?
Lucy Rohden: “Last year I predicted Clemson, so you probably shouldn’t ask me. But I like Oregon, and Oregon fans aren’t going to like that I said that, but that defensive line is nasty. Dante Moore is coming back, arguably the best receiver room in the country, and it’s not the most difficult schedule in the world. I’m a really big believer in the talent of Oregon this year.”
Jessica Smetana: “I was going to say Oregon too, as a trendy pick, because I think right now everyone’s picking Texas and Ohio State, and I wanted to zig, but then you zigged. I’ll agree with Lucy. I’m excited for Oregon to go like 8-4.”
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