Kirk Herbstreit Calls Out Notre Dame for 'Embarrassing' Schedule
Kirk Herbstreit, an ESPN analyst, criticized Notre Dame's 2025 college football schedule as 'embarrassing' compared to those of Big Ten and SEC teams, arguing it lacks competitive challenges. He noted that Notre Dame's early-season losses to Miami and Texas A&M, along with limited victories over ranked teams, weakened its CFP prospects. The Irish face weaker opponents like Wisconsin, Michigan State, and Purdue early in the season, followed by matchups against BYU, Miami, and SMU later in the year. Herbstreit suggested that Notre Dame could still contend for a national title if it avoids additional losses, though scheduling challenges remain a significant hurdle for the independent program.
PFF analysts predict that the University of Southern California (USC) Trojans will secure their first-ever College Football Playoff (CFP) berth in the 2026 season. According to Daire Carragher of Pro Football Focus, the Trojans are among the top eight programs most likely to achieve this milestone, driven by a combination of elite-level recruiting and a high-octane offensive system. Carragher cited betting market odds that position USC as the most probable team still awaiting its playoff debut to finally reach the postseason. This expectation stems partly from the Trojans' recent success in attracting top-tier recruits, culminating in the nation's highest-ranked recruiting class for 2026. The infusion of fresh talent is set to bolster a team already known for its explosive passing game, which boasted a 19.6% explosive pass play rate, the highest among Power Four offenses in the previous season. The path to the CFP for USC has been anything but straightforward under head coach Lincoln Riley. In his inaugural season in 2022, quarterback Caleb Williams captured the Heisman Trophy, leading the Trojans to an 11-3 record. However, despite finishing second in the Pac-12 and falling to Tulane in the Cotton Bowl, the team has yet to secure a double-digit victory since that season. Their transition to the Big Ten has brought both challenges and progress. In the 2025 season, the Trojans posted a 7-2 conference record and an overall mark of 9-4, although they suffered narrow defeats to the Illinois Illini and a double-digit loss to the Oregon Ducks. Despite these setbacks, Carragher noted signs of improvement, particularly in the Trojans' ability to perform under pressure, evidenced by gritty victories over Michigan and Iowa in the Big Ten. Analysts believe the outcome of several pivotal matchups will determine whether USC secures a spot in the CFP. Specifically, the Trojans must navigate crucial games against formidable opponents such as Ohio State, Oregon, and Indiana. If they emerge victorious in these contests, their chances of contending for a national title significantly increase. Carragher emphasized that a program with USC's potential typically does not remain outside the playoff conversation for long, suggesting that the Trojans' current trajectory aligns with a return to prominence in college football. Meanwhile, Notre Dame, another team vying for a CFP berth, faces scrutiny over its scheduling decisions. Analysts argue that the Fighting Irish's non-conference slate lacks the strength necessary to compete with other Power Four contenders. During an interview with Andy Staples of On3, ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit criticized Notre Dame's schedule as "embarrassing" compared to those of Big Ten and SEC teams. He pointed out that while Notre Dame could easily achieve an 11-1 record, its schedule includes matches against weaker opponents such as Wisconsin, Michigan State, Purdue, Rice, and North Carolina, teams that did not pose significant threats in the 2025 season. Notre Dame's struggles in the 2025 season were compounded by a controversial loss to Texas A&M, which contributed to its exclusion from the CFP. Analysts suggest that the Irish may face similar challenges in 2026 unless they adjust their scheduling strategy. Despite these hurdles, Herbstreit believes Notre Dame possesses the talent and motivation to contend for the national championship, noting that the team's recent performance indicates a desire to prove itself worthy of playoff consideration. Other analysts, such as Josh Pate, have expressed confidence in Notre Dame's ability to compete at the highest level. Pate argued that if the Fighting Irish were to play in the SEC, they would be strong contenders for the league title. His comments, however, sparked controversy among SEC fans who feel the CFP selection process may favor teams within the conference. While Pate acknowledged the difficulty of Notre Dame's schedule, he maintained that the team's overall strength should not be underestimated, especially given their recent performances against top-tier opponents. As the 2026 season approaches, the focus shifts to how each team navigates its respective challenges. For USC, the emphasis is on capitalizing on its elite recruitment and offensive prowess, while Notre Dame must address concerns regarding its schedule and playoff prospects. Both programs aim to demonstrate that they belong in the CFP conversation, setting the stage for what promises to be an intense and competitive season.
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Pro Football Focus analyst Daire Carragher has identified the USC Trojans as one of the top eight teams most likely to make their first College Football Playoff appearance in 2026. Carragher cites USC's elite recruiting class and strong offensive performance as factors contributing to their potential success. Despite recent struggles under head coach Lincoln Riley, including multiple close losses and subpar win totals, Carragher notes positive developments such as victories over Michigan and Iowa in the Big Ten. The analyst emphasizes that USC's talent could position them to compete for a national title if they secure key wins against Ohio State, Oregon, and Indiana.
Bias read (Center): The article focuses on sports analysis and does not involve politically charged topics such as government, elections, or public policy. The framing remains objective, presenting statistical data and expert analysis without overt ideological slant.
Why factuality (85): The article accurately reflects the content of the primary source document regarding USC's chances in 2026, citing recruitment, performance statistics, and historical context. However, it adds information not present in the original, such as past underperformance under Lincoln Riley, which wasn't in
Why objectivity (65): The tone leans towards highlighting USC's potential while acknowledging past struggles, which introduces a slight bias. It presents the information with a focus on USC's prospects rather than maintaining strict neutrality.
NewsweekIndependentConservativeFactual 65Objective 559 days ago
Kirk Herbstreit, an ESPN analyst, criticized Notre Dame's 2025 college football schedule as 'embarrassing' compared to those of Big Ten and SEC teams, arguing it lacks competitive challenges. He noted that Notre Dame's early-season losses to Miami and Texas A&M, along with limited victories over ranked teams, weakened its CFP prospects. The Irish face weaker opponents like Wisconsin, Michigan State, and Purdue early in the season, followed by matchups against BYU, Miami, and SMU later in the year. Herbstreit suggested that Notre Dame could still contend for a national title if it avoids additional losses, though scheduling challenges remain a significant hurdle for the independent program.
Bias read (Conservative): The article frames Notre Dame's scheduling decisions as lacking competitiveness, using loaded language such as 'embarrassing' to criticize the team's approach. It highlights the advantages of other conference programs and implies that Notre Dame's independence limits its ability to secure strong non
Why factuality (65): The article references Kirk Herbstreit's comments about Notre Dame's schedule being 'embarrassing' and provides specific details about the team's performance and schedule. However, it doesn't directly reference the primary source document about teams vying for CFP inclusion. While some facts align w
Why objectivity (55): The article takes a clear stance by quoting Kirk Herbstreit's opinion that Notre Dame's schedule is inferior and suggests the team could win the national title. It presents Notre Dame's situation in a way that implies criticism of their scheduling choices, showing bias rather than presenting a neutr
NewsweekIndependentProgressiveFactual 65Objective 5511 days ago
Josh Pate, a college football analyst, suggested during a segment on Colin Cowherd's show that Notre Dame could win the SEC championship this season, a claim that is expected to upset SEC fans. This follows Notre Dame's strong performance in the 2024 season, including defeating SEC champion Georgia in the CFP quarterfinals. However, the team was excluded from the College Football Playoff last year despite having a better record than several SEC teams that were selected. The article notes that Notre Dame's schedule this year presents a greater challenge for making the playoffs compared to previous seasons.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames Notre Dame's exclusion from the College Football Playoff last year as potentially due to 'SEC bias,' implying a systemic disadvantage faced by non-SEC teams. While the focus is on sports, the underlying critique suggests a broader narrative about institutional favoritism within aU
Why factuality (65): The article references Josh Pate's comments about Notre Dame potentially winning the SEC and provides context about Notre Dame's performance against SEC teams. However, it lacks detailed statistical analysis or specific examples to support Pate's assertion. The article also mentions Notre Dame's los
Why objectivity (55): The article presents Pate's statement in a way that seems to anticipate controversy among SEC fans, using phrases like 'will make SEC fans mad' and 'stir some people up where I'm from.' This framing implies a bias towards the perspective of SEC fans and may not present Pate's argument objectively.
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