ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit didn’t mince words when discussing Indiana’s crushing defeat to Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff. Speaking during Saturday’s edition of College GameDay, Herbstreit expressed his doubts about the Hoosiers’ inclusion in the 12-team playoff field, arguing that they were outmatched and didn’t belong on the same field as the Fighting Irish.
While Herbstreit stopped short of directly blaming the CFP selection committee, he made it clear that Indiana’s performance raised questions about how playoff teams are chosen.
“Indiana was outclassed in that game. It was not a team that should’ve been on that field when you consider other teams that could’ve been there,” Herbstreit said. “It’s no knock on Indiana—they had a great year. But we’ve got to move forward with the playoff and hope the committee does a better job of weighing who the best 12 are as opposed to who’s the most deserving.”
A Dominant Notre Dame Performance
Notre Dame’s decisive victory highlighted the disparity between the two teams, as the Fighting Irish controlled every aspect of the game from start to finish. For Herbstreit, the result underscored the importance of prioritizing strength of schedule (SOS) when selecting playoff participants.
Herbstreit hopes the lopsided game will serve as a lesson for the selection committee, encouraging them to place greater emphasis on SOS and overall team quality rather than rewarding teams purely for their record.
“It’s not just about winning 11 games,” Herbstreit emphasized. “Strength of schedule matters. You’ve got to measure who these teams are playing and how they’re performing against tougher competition.”
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Divided Reactions from Fans
Herbstreit’s critique sparked mixed reactions from fans, with some agreeing with his stance and others defending Indiana’s inclusion in the playoff.
“Very well said,” one fan commented on social media.
“Kirk is what’s wrong with college football,” another fan countered.
“Because they won 11 games, they were one of the 12 best teams…. That’s the issue. They weren’t one of the best 12 teams. SOS matters,” a third fan wrote.
The debate reflects the ongoing challenge of balancing the “best vs. most deserving” argument in college football playoff selections.
Questioning Indiana’s Game Plan
Adding to the puzzling nature of Indiana’s performance was the unusually conservative coaching approach taken by Curt Cignetti. Known for his aggressive style throughout the regular season, Cignetti seemed to abandon that philosophy against Notre Dame.
“There were a couple of decisions in the game that were a little against what his personality is,” Herbstreit noted. “He’s pretty aggressive; last night, pretty conservative. I don’t know if it was the weight of the playoff, but he didn’t play like he had all year in that game.”
The shift in strategy only fueled criticism of Indiana’s effort, as many wondered if the pressure of the playoff stage had affected the team’s typical style of play.
A Season to Remember, Despite the Criticism
Despite the disappointment of their playoff exit, Indiana’s 2024 season remains one of the most memorable in program history. Winning 11 games and earning a spot in the expanded College Football Playoff marked a significant achievement for the Hoosiers, even if their performance against Notre Dame left much to be desired.
For now, Indiana fans will have to endure the criticism while celebrating a historic season.
Meanwhile, Herbstreit’s comments will likely reignite discussions about how to refine the playoff selection process to ensure the most competitive matchups in future seasons.
