Kirk Herbstreit had heard enough. On the latest episode of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9UlKCemack">Nonstop</a>, the longtime ESPN analyst <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9UlKCemack">unloaded</a> on critics who accuse him of being biased toward the SEC, delivering one of his most fiery and uncensored rants yet. 



In the process, Herbstreit made it clear that his commentary has nothing to do with conference loyalty, and everything to do with identifying the top teams for the <a href="https://www.on3.com/category/college-football-playoff/news/">College Football Playoff</a>: “These idiots say, ‘How much do people pay you to say this bullshit?’ F-off,” Herbstreit <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9UlKCemack">said</a>. 



“We’re talking about the sport. We’re talking about what we care about. I don’t give a s*** about the SEC. I give a s*** about where these teams are going to come. How are they going to find these 12 teams? Where they are going to split these hairs at No. 11, No. 12, No. 13, No. 14 — it’s fascinating to me.”



Continuing, Herbstreit doubled down, saying critics completely misunderstand how he evaluates teams: “Put <a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/miami-hurricanes/">Miami</a> in. I don’t care. Put six Group of Five teams in. Do whatever you want,” he <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9UlKCemack">added</a>. “I’m just saying — everybody recognizes the depth and the challenge of the SEC. 



“You can hate that. You can make fun of that. Do whatever the hell you want with that. That’s the reality of the sport. That’s the reality of the world. You can live in a fake world.”



As you can tell, Herbstreit stressed that he’s more intrigued by determining the final at-large spots than by which conference ultimately benefits. He didn’t stop there though, as the veteran broadcaster then launched into an even sharper rebuttal, calling out fans who believe ESPN pushes SEC narratives. 



“I get so tired of the bullshit. I just get so f—ing tired,” Herbstreit <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9UlKCemack">stated</a>. “These people talking about the SEC, how much they pay you — are you kidding me? I’ve been here for 30 years.” Herbstreit noted that he was accused of SEC favoritism even before ESPN aired SEC games on ABC, highlighting how illogical the criticism has become in his eyes.



Furthering his point, Herbstreit emphasized that NFL draft data, AP voters nationwide and coaches across every region consistently validate the SEC’s depth, making the argument about bias unserious: “At some point, aren’t you idiots going to realize that the people in the NFL that draft these players, they pick a lot of SEC players,” he <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9UlKCemack">said</a>. 



“… Everybody recognizes the SEC is a step ahead of everybody else. Why is this so hard for people to put your arms around? Wake up. It’s a reality.”



All told, Herbstreit’s message was simple. He’s not pushing conference propaganda — the ESPN analyst is calling the sport the way he sees it. 



Heading into another heated College Football Playoff debate, he’s clearly ready to push back on anyone insisting otherwise. Time will tell where it all leads, as two weeks remain in the regular season for the sport, and for teams inside and outside the SEC to stake their claim.

Herbstreit

On3 Football

Kirk Herbstreit fires back at claims of SEC bias: 'I don't give a s*** about the SEC'

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Kirk Herbstreit fires back at claims of SEC bias: 'I don't give a s*** about the SEC'

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