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Kirk Herbstreit defends ranking Alabama over Florida State before Jordan Travis injury

ns_headshot_2024-clearby: Nick Schultz12/13/23NickSchultz_7
ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit
Kirk Herbstreit (Alex Martin / USA TODAY Sports)

Since the final College Football Playoff rankings came out last week, the big topic of conversation is the committee’s decision to rank Alabama ahead of Florida State. One of the big factors in that decision, according to committee chair Boo Corrigan, was Jordan Travis’ season-ending injury.

Before Travis got hurt, though, there was a debate on ESPN’s College GameDay about that very topic. Kirk Herbstreit and the panel wondered if an undefeated FSU team could get in over an SEC Champion Alabama team — which would have to beat Georgia in the title game. Ultimately, Herbstreit said he’d pick the Crimson Tide over the Seminoles.

That clip came back to light after the final rankings reveal, and Herbstreit offered a passionate defense of why he ranked Alabama head of Florida State prior to Travis’ injury.

“Because Alabama is BETTER!! Period!” Herbstreit wrote 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] “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 in 2000 after 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 also discussed his respect for Florida State’s program, dating back to the days of Bobby Bowden. But he also pointed out his role on ESPN, which is to give his opinion. He thought Alabama was better than Florida State, which is why he ranked the two teams the way he did.

“Listen man I have always loved FSU going back to the 80’s,” Kirk Herbstreit said. “Bobby Bowden-the uni’s-the swag-the consistency-something about that brand I was always attracted to and what happened with 5-6 teams having a shot at the playoff and the Noles being undefeated and left out-SUCKS-but 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.

“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 Norvell’s and his team and wish the Noles nothing but the best.”