In an appearance on the On3 network’s Andy and Ari show, ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit made some remarks that caught the attention of Clemson Tigers fans. While the discussion primarily centered around the College Football Playoff (CFP), its recent quarterfinals, and the upcoming semifinals, Herbstreit’s comments regarding the makeup of the playoff field — and his seemingly offhand reference to “small little Clemsons” — raised eyebrows.
The conversation began with the hosts, Andy Staples and Ari Wasserman, asking Herbstreit about his thoughts on the College Football Playoff and his role in its discussions. As one of the game’s top college football analysts, Herbstreit is no stranger to discussing the nuances of the playoff, particularly regarding team inclusion and exclusion. He was asked to weigh in on the aftermath of Alabama’s absence from this year’s CFP, and the perception that Herbstreit, and ESPN more broadly, may have been promoting the inclusion of more Southeastern Conference (SEC) teams.
Herbstreit wasted no time dismissing that idea. “Alabama had no shot” at making the playoff, he said, pointing to the Crimson Tide’s loss to Oklahoma as the key factor that ultimately did them in. Despite Alabama’s historical success in the CFP, Herbstreit argued that their season wasn’t strong enough to warrant a playoff spot, a sentiment that has been echoed by many in the college football world.
When asked about the current CFP semifinal teams — Texas, Ohio State, Notre Dame, and Penn State — Herbstreit offered his opinion that this quartet represented a solid group from a ratings perspective. “That’s as good as it gets from a ratings standpoint,” he said, seemingly suggesting that the appeal of these teams to national audiences, based on their fan bases and historical prestige, helped boost the value of the playoff.
At this point in the conversation, Herbstreit aimed to defend ESPN’s neutrality in the playoff selection process. He denied that the network was trying to influence which teams were selected. While Herbstreit was careful to assert that ESPN wasn’t attempting to “tip its finger on the scales,” he did offer one remark that was likely unintended and caught Clemson fans off guard.
Herbstreit explained that if there was one thing that ESPN might be guilty of, it was fostering narratives that cater to a national audience. In his view, the College Football Playoff is better off featuring teams with strong national followings, with greater reach and viewership potential. And then, in what many fans interpreted as a pointed comment, Herbstreit said, “You know, teams like ‘small little Clemsons’ probably don’t generate as much interest as some of these other teams.”
The remark sent a ripple through the college football world, and particularly through the Clemson fanbase. While Herbstreit did not explicitly criticize Clemson’s program or its legitimacy, the phrase “small little Clemsons” seemed to downplay the Tigers’ significance in the broader college football landscape. To many, it sounded dismissive of Clemson’s consistent success over the past decade, including two national championships, six ACC titles, and multiple playoff appearances under head coach Dabo Swinney.
Herbstreit’s comment was especially striking given the Tigers’ national prominence in recent years. Clemson has emerged as one of the most successful programs in college football, regularly competing for championships and producing top-tier NFL talent. Clemson fans take immense pride in the program’s accomplishments, so any suggestion that their program is a “small” player in the national conversation was met with backlash. Critics were quick to point out that Clemson, despite not having the same historical prestige as some of the more storied programs in college football, has built an elite program that has earned its place among the sport’s best.
The Tigers’ program, which was once overlooked as a potential powerhouse, has become a perennial contender. With the coaching acumen of Dabo Swinney, Clemson has risen from the depths of mediocrity to consistently challenge the best in the nation. The program has cultivated a winning culture that emphasizes a mix of elite recruiting, player development, and a commitment to excellence. By every measurable standard, Clemson has shown it can stand toe-to-toe with the likes of Alabama, Ohio State, and other bluebloods of college football.
In response to Herbstreit’s comments, many Clemson fans took to social media to express their displeasure. They pointed out that the Tigers had been a dominant force in college football for nearly a decade and had earned their spot in the national conversation. Fans also emphasized that the success of the program, particularly in the College Football Playoff, should not be minimized or dismissed, regardless of its relative size compared to some of the more historically successful programs.
Herbstreit’s offhand remark also sparked a broader conversation about the nature of college football’s elite programs. While the SEC has long been the dominant conference in college football, with its heavyweights like Alabama, Georgia, and LSU regularly battling for national titles, the emergence of Clemson in recent years has been one of the most remarkable stories in the sport. The Tigers’ rise to national prominence has challenged the traditional order of powerhouses, and their success has helped elevate the ACC as a more competitive conference. The idea that Clemson, a program with multiple championships and playoff berths, could be written off as a “small” team struck many as an unfair underestimation of the Tigers’ accomplishments.
It’s also important to note that Clemson’s fan base, while smaller than those of programs like Ohio State or Alabama, is deeply passionate and loyal. Clemson’s success on the field has brought a sense of pride to the university and the surrounding community in a way that goes beyond the size of its fan base. This sense of pride has led to substantial investments in facilities, recruiting, and other aspects of the program, all of which have played a role in its sustained success.
Herbstreit’s comments are indicative of the larger debate within college football about the balance between traditional powerhouses and rising programs. The College Football Playoff has made strides toward creating a more inclusive and competitive postseason, but the narrative around college football’s elite programs is still shaped by historical success and fan engagement. For many, Herbstreit’s comments reflect a bias toward teams with larger fan bases and a longer history of success.
Ultimately, the Clemson Tigers’ continued dominance in college football speaks for itself. The program has built a legacy of excellence that transcends any fleeting comments from analysts or outsiders. Clemson’s success is not defined by its perceived size or the national media’s attention; it is defined by the hard work, dedication, and talent that have propelled it to the top of the sport. While Herbstreit’s remarks may have been an offhand comment, they highlighted the challenges that smaller programs face in getting their due respect in the national conversation. For Clemson, however, the proof is in the results — and those results speak volumes.
