Kirk Herbstreit says college football fans bashing his opinions ‘can be dark’
The ESPN College GameDay analyst has engaged with fanbases several times this offseason.
ESPN College GameDay analyst Kirk Herbstreit said recently he has tried not to take offseason bashing from various fanbases personal ahead of the 2024 season. Much of the vitriol came from the Florida State faithful after the Seminoles’ exclusion from the 2023 College Football Playoff. When on television and social media as much as Herbstreit, strong opinions are formed and it comes with the territory, he says.
“In our college football world, it’s very subjective,” Herbstreit said this week, via Faith & Football’s Levi Lusko . “It’s not like the NFL. The NFL has its own rules and has the power to decide who wins. If you’re 10-7 and you’re 10-7, who won the head-to-head matchup and who has the best record in the division? There are several ties. The NFL did it, this is a baduk team, no discussion. College football is controversial and subjective. Which do you think is the best team? “If you’re me, I’ve been doing this for 28 years, and you’re doing as much homework as you can, like ‘The Cause of Sport,’ and you’re like, ‘Here’s the team.’ I think. \’\”
The Seminoles became the first undefeated Power Five conference champion to be eliminated from the Final Four with a loss to SEC champion Alabama. What followed was a public outcry from the FSU administration and Florida politicians and sports voices. The 12-team 2024 playoff format includes the top six conference champions earning automatic bids and the top four teams earning first-round berths. The six highest-ranked teams behind the two remaining conference champions complete the 12-team format. 247Sports reported in January that the number of automatic offers was expected to be reduced to five because of the poor performance of the Pac-12.
“This year we had six, maybe seven teams, and we usually have three,” Herbstreit said. “There were seven teams this year that qualified for those four spots. I said there were four that I thought would go. Then again, I guess it’s only natural that the 5th, 6th and 7th place teams feel the wrath of their fans. I guess it has something to do with me. “But I would say it could get dark.”
Former playoff committee chairman Boo Corrigan explained in December that the Seminoles were a “different team” without Jordan Travis, who played a big role in the Crimson Tide’s choice over FSU on the final ballot.
“It was a great season, but when you look at a team right now without Jordan Travis and the offensive dynamism he brings, they’re a different team, and the committee picked No. 4 over Alabama and Florida State. . We’re in the top five,” Corrigan said after the rankings were released. 30% discount on annual VIP membership! Get the latest football and recruiting news about your favorite college team today.
Travis broke his leg in the first quarter of FSU’s 58-13 win over North Alabama in November and never played again. The Seminoles defeated rival Florida 24-15 and won the ACC championship the following week with a 16-6 victory over Louisville with backup Tate Rodemaker in place of third stringer Brock Glenn.
