ESPN College Football Analyst Kirk Herbstreit appeared to mock Florida State Seminoles fans after the team’s unexpected 24-21 loss to Georgia Tech in its season opener in Dublin, Ireland, on Saturday (Aug. 24), the latest incident in an ongoing feud with the fan base.
“Man, tough loss for the Noles in Ireland against a good GT team,” Herbstreit wrote on his X account. “The good news is that with the new playoff with 12 teams, there are still plenty of opportunities to climb back up the table. Regroup and keep fighting!”
Herbstreit became a target of Seminoles fans after he was one of the loudest supporters of the decision not to include FSU among the four teams in the College Football Playoff before the format changed to 12 teams this season.
Herbstreit argued that the Seminoles, who had an undefeated season and a win in the ACC Championship Game, did not deserve a playoff spot, especially after their starting quarterback Jordan Travis‘ season-ending knee injury. Florida State fans who attended the game booed Herbstreit during ESPN‘S College football game day Pre-match broadcast.
Florida State was defeated 63-3 by Georgia in the Orange Bowl after both teams were eliminated from the College Football Playoff in January. The Seminoles entered Saturday’s game as the No. 10 seed. the Associated Press Top 25 in the preseason poll and 10.5-point favorite.
