Kirk Herbstreit Predicting College Football Playoff Semifinal Upset

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Andrew McCarty | Last updated Jan 9, 2025 7:41 PM ET

It's been an interesting night for ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit, who swore on live TV earlier tonight when discussing the "perception" around the Ohio State Buckeyes.

"There's this perception that they went out and spent $20 million on players. Nine of their 11 defensive starters are three year starters - they've been there for three years, they've lost some tough games. That's what I think is interesting about this team. Now, Caleb Downs is a great player, but that's the only guy on defense," Herbstreit said.

"...The perception is they went out an found players, but the reality is that this is a veteran defense...It's a hardened team that's been through a lot of [expletive] and I think that's what makes them really have a little bit of like, 'This is our last dance.'"

While he made headlines discussing the Cotton Bowl, it's his pick for the Orange Bowl that is drawing attention now.

The beloved ESPN analyst watched fellow analysts Desmond Howard and Nick Saban take opposing sides with the Heisman winner rolling with Penn State while the longtime Alabama coach rolled with the Fighting Irish.

Herbsteit sided with Saban, picking Notre Dame in tonight's showdown.

Orange Bowl picks from the @CollegeGameDay crew…

Desmond Howard: Penn State
Nick Saban: Notre Dame
Kirk Herbstreit: Notre Dame
Pat McAfee: Penn State

Even split. pic.twitter.com/lbJpB9qFZF
— Tyler Horka (@tbhorka) January 10, 2025

While that wouldn't have been an upset pick about an hour before kickoff, it is now. Just minutes before the game was scheduled to kick off, the betting line shifted in Penn State's favor, with the Nittany Lions becoming a one-point favorite.

At one point earlier this week Notre Dame was a 2.5-point favorite, but clearly someone in the know decided Penn State should be the favorite.

The game is scheduled to kick off on ESPN momentarily.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: