With a lot happening right now in college football, we had the opportunity to sit down with Kirk Herbstreit and discuss the landscape
As we enter Week 7 of the college football season, it would be an understatement to say that things thus far have not been exciting. We are currently on track for one of the wildest college football seasons in recent memory, and to talk about all that’s going down there’s no one better to sit down with than ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit, which I was luckily able to do this week.
Coming into the season, the Ohio State Buckeyes were the unanimous No. 1 team in the country and many expected them to dominate their schedule en route to a second consecutive national championship. However, while still undefeated, Ohio State hasn’t exactly had the easiest time navigating through these games. They’re still looking to find their identity on the offensive side of the ball, leading the critics to come out of the woodwork and proclaim them to not be the best team in the nation, much like folks did with the Florida State Seminoles last season.
Is there a chance that the College Football Playoff committee in a few weeks might shun the Buckeyes?
"“At Week 6, whether it’s this year or last year, it’s easy to look at the way an Ohio State or Florida State are playing and question whether or not they’re No. 1.” Herbstreit said. “By Week 12 and 13, that’s when we’ll know what this Ohio State team is all about because they’ll start playing to their potential. It’s hard, by that point, imagining the committee saying, ‘They just don’t look the way we thought they would’.”"
Another story that has captivated the college football season this year is the amazing run that’s been put together by LSU running back Leonard Fournette. The sophomore, entering the seventh week of the season, is already over 1,000 yards rushing and that’s even with the Tigers missing a game during Week 1 due to weather. Suffice to say, he’s looked at as the runaway winner of the Heisman at the moment.
However, Herbstreit believes that the most coveted bronze trophy in sports isn’t Fournette’s to take home just yet. There is some competition heading his way.
"“In my opinion, the Heisman Trophy is won in November. It’s like a horse race and November is when you come down that home stretch at the Kentucky Derby and that’s where you see everyone start to separate.” Herbstreit said. “Right now, Fournette is American Pharoh, running away from everyone.”"
That’s because he doesn’t believe that one young man who was a lot of peoples’ front runner coming into the season is done with his campaign just yet and could steal that trophy from Fournette’s grasp.
"“Trevone Boykin is still someone you have to look at as a serious contender still. Especially last week against Kansas State, Boykin had to put the team on his back, and he did. He just refuses to let this team lose, and that’s something the voters don’t lose sight of. Boykin, for all the hype Fournette has gotten, has to be up there still.”"
Boykin and Fournette are two names that we can all relate to when it comes to talking about the Heisman. But, what about these two running backs that Herbstreit seems to believe needs more love?
"“The guy that I’m really surprised isn’t getting more love is Dalvin Cook from Florida State. This young man might be the most important player in the country to his team.” the ESPN analyst proclaimed. “Florida State is still in the national championship race and that has mostly everything to do with Cook putting them on his back. If they can get past a good Clemson team, it’s not impossible to believe Florida State is right back in the College Football Playoff.”"
Then, of course, there is that bruiser from Columbus, Ohio that really should be getting more recognition.
"“Ezekiel Elliott is also a guy that could start getting some love. He’s at a high-profile school and they’ll be on some big stages coming up. He might be a guy also that come work his way in there.”"
This past week the big news in the world of college football had to deal with the head coaching situation at USC. Steve Sarkisian was fired following another alcohol-related setback. Of course, we’ve heard a lot of big names thrown out there for possible replacements, including former Oregon coach and the current head man of the Philadelphia Eagles, Chip Kelly.
"“It’s so early, so of course you’re going to hear about all of the candidates.” Herbstreit said. “Chip, as much as he may miss college, needs to let the NFL thing run its course. Now, if he wins a Super Bowl, it wouldn’t surprise me to see him come back to college. But for now, Pat Haden needs to say that it’s time we leave the Pete Carroll coaching tree. They need a no-nonsense guy that can come in there, recruit and bring them back.”"
Before they hired Sarkisian prior to the 2014 season, the one person that everyone thought might be the man to bring USC back to prominence was then Boise State head coach Chris Petersen. Rumors swirled that they shunned Petersen at the time in favor of Sark, and he ended up at Washington instead. Is it possible they go back to Petersen and rectify things?
"“People wondered whether or not Pete could do what he did at Boise State with a Power 5 program. Everyone wanted Chris Petersen. Who knows what happened in that room when he and the Trojans met, but at Washington right now, he’s turning that program into what they need to be. Whether or not USC will go back to him remains to be seen.”"
As mentioned earlier, there is a lot happening in Week 7 coming up. So, I asked Herbstreit what’s the one thing that we’ll be talking about on Sunday morning and the conversation stayed with the USC Trojans.
"“With all that has happened with the USC Trojans this week, I would not be surprised to see Clay Helton go out there this week and motivate this team.” Herbstreit went on, “Adversity can either bring you together or divide you and some of the players on this USC team know how to come together in times like this. In 2013, Lane Kiffin was literally fired off the bus after the loss to Arizona State and these kids rallied behind Ed Orgeron. That team played possessed; this isn’t new to some of them, such as Cody Kessler. It wouldn’t shock me at all to see this team get a win in South Bend. Notre Dame needs to be very, very careful.”"
Herbstreit has teamed up with the folks from Allstate for the “It’s Good Sweepstakes” which will award one lucky winner and three friends with a trip to New Orleans for the 2016 Allstate Sugar Bowl before traveling to Phoenix for the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship.