Kirk Herbstreit lost it on angry Florida State football fans still fuming over the ACC champion’s exclusion from the College Football Playoff.
The ESPN college football analyst posted a lengthy response after a fan called into question why he had Alabama making it into the CFP even before FSU QB Jordan Travis’ season-ending injury.
Travis’ absence played a big part in the selection committee’s decision to pick one-loss Alabama over the undefeated Seminoles, which College Football Playoff chair Boo Corrigan acknowledged during an interview on ESPN.
But Herbstreit’s previous predictions have apparently bothered some college football fans and the comment on Wednesday was enough to set him off.
“Because Alabama is BETTER!! Period!” Herbstreit wrote in response on X. “So is Texas. So is Michigan. So is Washington. So is Oregon. So is Georgia. I watch 10-15 games a week live from September-early December. I think I’m allowed to have an opinion on who I think is BETTER!! If FSU doesn’t like [it is not] “The BEST 4” tell the conference commissioners to change the protocol to “MOST DESERVING.” Until then I and everyone else is certainly is allowed to give an opinion in a subjective discussion!! Don’t like it-change it.
“Its funny when FSU went ahead of The U [Miami] in 2000 after [Char-ron] Dorsey and the boys beat the Noles and FSU went instead of a deserving Canes team to the BCS Championship where they lost to Oklahoma I didn’t hear from all of you about the system being rigged and it’s not fair. You were big fans of the turnout back then-of course most of you, in this despicable lunatic fringe, probably didn’t even know about 2000 when the Noles got the benefit over a GREAT Miami team!”
Herbstreit acknowledged the respect that he has had for the Florida State program dating back to Bobby Bowden’s time patrolling the sideline in the late 70s and 80s and how the current situation “sucks.”
However, he contended that as an analyst, it’s his job to give his opinion and that there was no hidden agenda to his previous comments.
“I have to give an opinion on who I think the best 4 teams are. I’m not on the committee-I don’t vote-I watch games-I analyze teams and I give my take. That’s it,” Herbstreit said. “And if you think I have an agenda or a motive I’m sorry you feel that way but it’s wrong. I love this sport and care about it deeply and can’t make everyone happy-I ask questions of the commissioners in the offseason to understand things clearly-Watch games and give my opinion.
“If it’s for your team you love me and if it’s against you hate me. I wish it were different and hopefully next year with 12 teams it will be. I am a huge fan of Coach [Mike] Norvell’s and his team and wish the Noles nothing but the best.”
Don’t expect the controversy surrounding Florida State’s exclusion to die down any time soon, especially with the Florida Attorney General launching an investigation into the matter.
Florida State still has one more game this season when they face Georgia in the Orange Bowl on Dec. 30.
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