ESPN star's past Indiana criticism back in spotlight as Hoosier surges to CFP national title game

Urban Meyer joins Colin Cowherd to discuss Miami’s thrilling win over Ole Miss, preview Oregon vs. Indiana, and discuss why the SEC has missed the title game for the 3rd straight season.

Kirk Herbstreit has spent the last three decades analyzing college football teams and games. He was not on hand for Friday’s Peach Bowl broadcast, but Indiana’s dominant College Football Playoff run still put him back in the spotlight.

Last season, Indiana qualified for the CFP for the first time in program history. Notre Dame ultimately defeated the Hoosiers in the first round. Indiana earning one of the coveted 12 spots in the playoff was met with some criticism, with Herbstreit among those who questioned the selection committee after Indiana's early postseason exit.

"I hope next that the committee won’t get caught up in what social media and a lot of fringe fans get caught up in … which is wins," Herbstreit said in December 2024 when asked to share his takeaway from the first-round games.

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Kirk Herbstreit talks to the media during 2025 CFP National Championship Media Day at Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia.  (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)

"'They had 11 wins, they must be good.' Who did they beat, I think is much more important than how many wins you have. That's [an] old school way of approaching it. Indiana having 11 wins and beating nobody, that doesn't mean they're one of the 12 best teams. Remember… there's a big difference between 'deserving' and 'best.' What this is all about is giving us the best 12 teams."

The Hoosiers have had little trouble getting past either of the two opponents they’ve faced in the 2025 CFP.

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