Kirk Herbstreit Reflects on Indiana’s Historic College Football Playoff Journey
Kirk Herbstreit has dedicated three decades to analyzing college football, and while he sat out Friday’s Peach Bowl broadcast, he found himself back in the limelight as Indiana University made a strong showing in the College Football Playoff (CFP).
Indiana’s progression to the CFP was a historic first for the program. However, their journey ended in the first round, where they faced defeat against Notre Dame. There was some pushback regarding Indiana’s spot among the 12 playoff teams, and even Herbstreit raised eyebrows at the selection committee after Indiana’s early exit.
“I hope next time the committee doesn’t let social media sway their decisions based on what some fans think…that would be a win,” Herbstreit mentioned in December 2024 when discussing the lessons from the first-round matchups.
“Winning 11 games? Well, I think it’s more about who they played than just the number of victories. It feels a bit old-fashioned, I guess. Yes, they won 11 games, but against whom? That doesn’t necessarily put them among the top 12 teams. There’s a significant difference between being ‘deserving’ and being the ‘best,'” he said.
The Hoosiers had little trouble overcoming their two challengers in the 2025 CFP.
Following a landmark victory over Oregon State, coach Curt Cignetti remained focused on what this meant for the team moving forward.
In the semifinal matchup, Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza showcased his talent by completing 17 of 20 passes and scoring five touchdowns, leading Indiana to a 56-22 win over Oregon State. Afterward, discussions revived around Herbstreit’s earlier critiques of the Big Ten’s representation in the playoffs.
On social media, reactions varied significantly. Some found Herbstreit’s views intolerable, and there were accusations of inconsistency in his standards. Yet, others defended him, suggesting he wasn’t entirely wrong in his assessments.
Shortly after Miami’s victory over Ole Miss in the Fiesta Bowl, Herbstreit shared a candid message aimed at coaches across the sport: “What we’re witnessing—if you’re a coach or GM—is while you’re chasing those five-star players and their agents, remember, this remains a team sport and winning is still crucial.”
He also pointed out Indiana’s strategy: “They may lack five-star recruits, but they’ve got something more important—a cohesive team.” As he told On3, “If you only pursue five-stars without nurturing a team, you won’t make it to that big stage. It’s crucial to focus on players who genuinely want to be part of the journey.”
In this year’s CFP, Indiana’s opponents—Alabama and Oregon—have been outscored by a total of 69 points. The Hoosiers are set to take on Miami in the national championship game on January 19th.
