Tuesday night ESPN. Kirk Herbstreet made a pretty bold allegation against Michigan during the College Football Off Playoff Rankings show, suggesting that the Wolverines would duck the Bookies next week to keep Ohio State out of the Big Ten Championship game.
“I think Michigan is flying the white flag, probably avoiding playing Ohio State next week, and then they’ll probably get a game on the 19th,” Herbstrett said. Herbstrat said. “David, is that fair? [Pollack]? Michigan could basically get out of that game and keep Ohio State out of six games to qualify for the Big Ten Championship. It makes no sense to me. ”
Kirk Herbstreet dares Michigan not to duck Ohio State next week pic.twitter.com/K608RMgpiv
– Ryan Glasspiegel (Sportsport) December 2, 2020
Michigan suspended all team activities on Monday after a potential increase in positive COVID-19 tests. Calling Michigan an “abundance of caution,” the team conducted virtually all team activities on Monday and Tuesday.
Seemingly doubling down on his stance later in the Herbstreet segment, he said he has heard coaches across the country feel that opponents are getting out of games because they “don’t want to be humiliated.”
“I don’t know all the numbers as far as Covid is concerned, but we live in such a strange world that they really feel like teams are choosing to avoid playing games,” Herbstrett said. “They don’t want to be humiliated or lose to the team they have. They don’t want to be embarrassed. There’s a lot of discussion going on across the country.”
Joel Clatt of Fox, in support of Herbstreet’s statement, said he had heard similar comments from head coaches of college football across the country.
CFP reactions
1) Top 4 has more heads and shoulders than all …AlabamaFTBL # 1 and then 2-3-4 however you like
2) GeorgiaFootB .L The top 10 are ridiculous
3) Disrespect for YBYUfootball Is real and I do not understand
4) I will hear the same thing KirkHerbstreit From the coach!– Joel Clatt December 2, 2020
Following the canceled game against Florida State, Clemson head coach Left Swinney recently commented on what Hubstreet and Clat suggested, and accused Florida State of using COVID-19 as an “excuse” to cancel the game.
Speaking of The Game, Herbstreet never deviated from his stance that Michigan could potentially “fly a white flag.”
Herbstrett said, “I don’t know what Michigan’s position is.” But he has the power to say, ‘Hey, we’re not going to play next week.
Shortly after the ESPN show, Herbstreet took to Twitter to apologize for his comments, saying he had “no evidence” that Michigan would actually try to avoid playing Ohio State.
I wanted to clarify something I said early tonight during our CFP ranking show. We apologize @UMichFootball For my words. pic.twitter.com/tCBGjl7GTV
– Kirk Herbstreet (Kirk Herbstreet) December 2, 2020
Herbstrett said, “I had no business saying that. “I have no proof. He was completely unfair to the University of Michigan, Jim Harbaugh, his players and coaches and I wanted to apologize. ”
