Kirk Herbstreit has long been one of the most respected voices in football broadcasting - not just for his deep knowledge of the game, but because he’s not in the business of stirring the pot with empty hot takes. When Herbstreit speaks, it’s usually grounded in common sense and echoes what many fans are already thinking. But as he recently revealed on his podcast Nonstop with Kirk and Joey, even that level-headed honesty can sometimes ruffle feathers behind the scenes.
During a candid moment on the show, which he co-hosts with former Ohio State standout Joey Galloway, Herbstreit shared a story from an ESPN seminar where he raised a concern that’s been on the minds of plenty of college football purists: Are there just too many bowl games?
“I feel like I said this at a seminar one time,” Herbstreit recalled. “The back of the room - when you and I sit back there - I’ll raise my hand, pull the button down, pull the mic down, and say, ‘Are we creating too many bowl games?
Bowl games are supposed to be special. They’re supposed to be a reward for a great year.
Do we have to have all these 6-6 teams and like creating these bowl games just because they rate well? I feel like we’re oversaturating the bowl season.’”
According to Herbstreit, that comment didn’t exactly land well with everyone in the room. He didn’t go into detail about the reaction, but it’s clear that even a respected figure like him can hit a nerve when he questions the business side of the sport.
And that’s really what this is about - business. This season, the college football postseason includes the College Football Playoff games plus 35 additional Division I FBS bowl games.
That’s a packed schedule, featuring everything from the Citrus Bowl to the Pop-Tarts Bowl and the ReliaQuest Bowl. Some of these matchups involve teams that finished the regular season at a pedestrian 6-6, a far cry from the elite-level reward bowl games were originally meant to represent.
Herbstreit’s point is simple but powerful: When every team with a pulse gets a bowl invite, the meaning behind these games starts to fade. What used to be a celebration of excellence is in danger of becoming just another TV product - and while that may be great for ratings and revenue, it’s not necessarily great for the sport’s integrity.
Still, Herbstreit knows how the game works. The more bowl games there are, the more inventory there is for networks, sponsors, and advertisers. And in the high-stakes world of college football, money talks - loudly.
Herbstreit, of course, isn’t just a college football analyst anymore. Since 2022, he’s also been a fixture in the NFL broadcast booth, teaming up with legendary play-by-play man Al Michaels for Amazon Prime Video’s Thursday Night Football coverage. Amazon picked up the TNF package after Fox Sports opted not to renew, and while Michaels has faced growing calls from fans to consider retirement, Herbstreit continues to earn praise for his work.
He’s brought a mix of insight and personality to the booth, even showing a lighter side. One memorable moment came on Christmas Day when he tried to help quarterback Bo Nix conquer his fear of dogs - a small moment, but one that highlighted Herbstreit’s ability to connect with players and fans alike.
Looking ahead, Amazon Prime Video will wrap up its NFL broadcast season with one of the six Wild Card games in the 2025-26 postseason. That game could mark the end of the season for Amazon - and possibly the final NFL broadcast of Al Michaels’ storied career.
Whether it’s college football or the NFL, Herbstreit continues to bring a steady, informed voice to the conversation. And even when his honesty makes waves behind the scenes, fans know they’re getting the real deal - not just another echo from the hot-take chamber.