Kirk Herbstreit doesn't believe ESPN has an SEC bias. If anything, Herbstreit intimated that the World Wide Leader in Sports has a big brand bias -- supporting Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, Texas, and Michigan over the likes of Alabama, Texas A&M, and Auburn.
"We could not have paid for a better final four with Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, and Texas," Herbstreit said, per On3. "The only one missing is Michigan... So this idea we want Alabama, Texas A&M, and Auburn. Are you kidding me?"
Herbstreit is being somewhat honest here, but there's missing context: Alabama is actually part of the six programs that make up the majority of TV revenue.
"According to figures shared with administrators, 18 schools produced 60% of the broadcast viewership over the last seven years. Within those 18, six schools generated a majority of that: Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia, Michigan, Texas and Notre Dame," Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger wrote.
Herbstreit was caught cheering for Alabama in the press box during the 2023 Iron Bowl. He repeatedly vouched for the Crimson Tide's 2023 College Football Playoff chances over Florida State. Many blame him for Alabama making it over FSU that year.
This comes off as damage control.
The 2025 CFP figures to undergo major changes moving forward based on the backlash from the 2024 field. Indiana and SMU were targeted for being uncompetitive in their first-round matchups, but Tennessee was even less competitive.
The more things change, the more things stay the same, though. If Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, and Texas ended up in next year's field, it will have been mission accomplished for the networks. Herbstreit just admitted that.
If the field expands to 14, stays the same, or shrinks, you could expect the biggest brand to be in contention, and, at best, teams like Indiana, SMU, Boise State, and Arizona State just happy to be there.
If they're even allowed to be there.
The world we live in is owned by big brands. College football is no different.