College GameDay analysts - Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit in particular - have been none too kind to the Cincinnati Bearcats this season. UC, of the American Athletic Conference, finished the season 13-0 and became the first group-of-5 team to get invited to the college football playoff.
What was Herbstreit's initial reaction? On ESPN's selection special, he said this:
"But I'm confused. What about that narrative that the Group of Five wasn't allowed to get in? I heard there was a lot of buzz out there that the committee would never put a Group of Five (team) in. It's weird. They must not have gotten that rule."
After receiving backlash for his comment, he doubled-down on Twitter with this post:
"After SEVEN years of b*tching and complaining from a vocal minority that the CFP system is rigged and the 'small guy' will NEVER GET A CHANCE-haven't heard much from ya last couple days. Everything okay? What's the next conspiracy theory?? Can't wait! Cause that one is history."
I normally respect Herbstreit's commentary. The guy tends to give a fair analysis, even when it's not popular. While he may have gone to and played for Ohio State, he doesn't allow that to interfere with providing his nonpartisan take on things. But he's dead wrong here, and not only is his commentary on the matter painfully ignorant; it's flat out offensive.
Herbstreit seems to imply that since a single group-of-5 team made the playoffs in 7 years, that somehow means they are now (as have they always been) viewed and treated as equals. He seems to think, once a minority breaks through the glass ceiling somewhere, they no longer have to work harder than their peers to reach such a point. Yeah, that's a load of horsesh*t right there.
There are 130 teams in the FBS. Of those 130 teams, Cincinnati is the ONLY unbeaten team in the country. Let me repeat that: There are 130 teams in the FBS. of those 130 teams, Cincinnati is the ONLY unbeaten team in the country. Yet here we are, debating about whether or not they're worthy of a playoff spot, because they're not in the Power-5. Oh, but since the only undefeated team amongst 130 made a playoff, that then proves anyone can make it to the playoff. Riiight... Let's dive even deeper. Not only was Cincinnati the only unbeaten team in college football; they needed some serious help along the way. Ohio State lost twice. Oregon lost twice to Utah. Oklahoma lost twice. Baylor lost twice. Oklahoma State lost twice. Michigan State lost twice. Mississippi lost twice. If any, ANY of these teams lost one fewer game (perhaps two in Oregon's case), they would have replaced Cincinnati in the playoff. Oh, and I intentionally left one team out - Notre Dame. The only reason the 1-loss Irish aren't ranked ahead of Cincinnati is because, by seemingly miraculous happenstance, Cincinnati beat Notre Dame in South Bend this year. A person may have a better chance at winning the lottery than Cincinnati (or any group-of-5 team) had at being selected for the college football playoff. So, no, Kirk, this doesn't somehow disprove the fact (not conspiracy theory) that group-of-5 teams face a near impossible uphill climb to even be considered for a spot in the 4-team college football playoff.
Also, I just gotta say Kirk's tweet rubbed me the wrong way. He implied that the "little guy" - the minority - needs to stop whining about equality, for since they were given one chance, they're now obviously equals. I know he was talking football, but that kind of mentality, when extended to other parts of life, is dangerous. What, after electing 43 white presidents, since Barack Obama got elected, that derides the notion that racism is still prevalent in this country and POC need to stop talking about it? While a first is incredibly important, it does not equate to a norm, and until we're proven that said first is more a trend than an aberration, it's painfully ignorant and offensive to suggest otherwise. Kirk, eat a Snickers.
https://thespun.com/aac/cincinnati/fans-were-not-happy-with-kirk-herbstreits-comment-on-sunday
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