The Cincinnati Bearcats made history on Sunday, officially becoming the first team from a Group of Five conference to break through and reach the College Football Playoff. And over those past seven playoffs with only power-conference teams, fans have complained about how the process has excluded Group of Five teams by design.
ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit, though, used Sunday’s selection show as an opportunity to take a shot at the fans who voiced those real concerns about the College Football Playoff’s selection. Upon seeing the Bearcats come in at No. 4 to face top-ranked Alabama, Herbstreit said, “But I’m confused. What about that narrative that the Group of Five wasn’t allowed to get in?”
Cincy makes the CFP (2/2) pic.twitter.com/C8kpObkhh2
— Sean Keeley (@SeanKeeleyIsMe) December 5, 2021
It just couldn’t get more disingenuous than that, and it was the kind of comment that seemed more like PR for the selection committee than a real attempt at analysis. After all, if it takes eight years to get one Group of Five team in the playoff, it’s clearly not an inclusive process.
Plus, the committee didn’t just make an exception this year out of respect to Cincinnati. They just couldn’t justify putting a team ahead of Cincinnati following Oklahoma State’s loss to Baylor (and Cincinnati’s head-to-head win over Notre Dame). They would have tried to leave Cincy out if the Cowboys won that Big 12 title game, and Herbstreit had to know that too.
No wonder college football fans didn’t react kindly to that comment.
This was how Twitter reacted
Kirk Herbstreit’s worst moment in 20 years. And that includes “Les Miles to Michigan”. https://t.co/t2etJzogvm
— Richard Hoeg (@HoegLaw) December 5, 2021
It got even worse after I tweeted this with Herbstreit going full condescending sarcasm as if the system isn't rigged against the Group of 5. This doesn't change that just because they couldn't justify putting ND or Oklahoma State in.
— Caroline Darney (@cwdarney) December 5, 2021
Looking at you @KirkHerbstreit and your P5 bias. https://t.co/gchVyBRJpC
— Sean Ashman (@SeanAshmanTx) December 5, 2021
Yeah, that was lame as hell from Herbstreit. Gtfo with that dude. https://t.co/I8UmQm25vH
— John Kurtz (@jlkurtz) December 5, 2021
https://t.co/0ohXFr5ktn pic.twitter.com/aivNRH9VNl
— Taylor Pierce (@OneKKup) December 5, 2021
Yeah that was pretty cringe from Herbstreit.
If they were given any reasonable chance, there’s no way Cincy was in. But them specifically having the road ND win is the only reason they are
If OSU was 12-1, they’re in
If ND was 11-1 and L anyone else, they’re in
I’m glad theyre in https://t.co/hh5FxfKefs— Brett Dietrich (@brett_diet) December 5, 2021
Yup, UCF walked so Cincy can run https://t.co/lN6rLQSBRX
— Tristan Stafford (@tri_staff) December 5, 2021
Kirk Herbstreit sarcastically asking why the Group of 5 is in the playoff because he thought they "weren't allowed" is infuriating, because it's obvious Oklahoma State was 2 inches away from totally screwing Cincinnati out of a spot.
— Andrew Gillis (@Andrew_Gillis70) December 5, 2021
Kirk Herbstreit mocking critics supposed lack of faith in G5 teams rubs me the wrong way.
The committee didn’t pick the Bearcats ahead of Power 5 teams. They put them at No. 4 because of a lack of options elsewhere.
— Zach Barnett (@zach_barnett) December 5, 2021
It just wasn’t a good look at all.
