Kirk Herbstreit, one of college football’s most recognizable voices, is no stranger to bold statements, but his recent remarks during an interview have left fans scratching their heads. Discussing the College Football Playoff’s Final Four, which features Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, and Texas, Herbstreit made eyebrow-raising comments about what constitutes a “ratings bonanza.”
“We could not have paid for a better Final Four with Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, and Texas,” Herbstreit said. “The only one missing is Michigan… So, this idea we want Alabama, Texas A&M, and Auburn. Are you kidding me? If you’re asking us who we would want, we’ll take Ohio State every year, Notre Dame. This is a ratings bonanza.”
If that wasn’t enough to stoke controversy, Herbstreit continued with a statement that seemed more like satire than serious analysis.
“You don’t want these small little Clemsons and small little Southern schools when it comes to cheering for ratings,” he said. “Ratings are big, massive Big Ten brands.”
Herbstreit’s comments have sparked outrage, particularly among fans of SEC schools. Referring to Clemson—a two-time national champion in the last decade—as a “small little school” was baffling enough. But lumping programs like Alabama, Auburn, and Texas A&M into the same category of being undesirable for ratings was wild.
The SEC has long been the gold standard for college football dominance, with Alabama alone claiming six national titles since 2009. Suggesting that Big Ten schools inherently draw better ratings than SEC powerhouses flies in the face of years of evidence.
While Kentucky fans don’t have much stake in this year’s playoff discussion after a dismal 4-8 football season, they couldn’t help but roll their eyes at Herbstreit’s apparent dismissal of Southern schools. Kentucky, an SEC program steeped in basketball tradition, has seen firsthand how passionate Southern fanbases can drive viewership numbers, whether for football or basketball.
Herbstreit’s comments seem to play into a broader narrative about the Big Ten’s recent attempts to solidify itself as college football’s preeminent conference. With massive media deals and the addition of schools like USC and UCLA, the Big Ten is positioning itself as the future of college football. But dismissing the SEC—a conference that has dominated the playoff era—as second-tier for ratings is a tough sell.
For Herbstreit, a self-described advocate for the purity of the game, his statements seem oddly disconnected from the facts. The SEC consistently outpaces other conferences in TV ratings, attendance, and national interest. Alabama-Georgia SEC Championship games have drawn massive viewership numbers, often outpacing Big Ten matchups, including “The Game” between Ohio State and Michigan.
Meanwhile, Clemson—despite Herbstreit’s dismissive tone—has been a playoff mainstay, appearing in six of the first seven CFPs and winning two national titles.
As the playoff expands and the college football landscape continues to evolve, let’s hope future conversations prioritize the best teams on the field—regardless of their geography or conference affiliation. Until then, Herbstreit’s words will remain a head-scratching moment for college football fans everywhere.
