Total Pro Sports
ESPN got into a new problem this week after announcing its broadcast teams for the College Football Playoff semifinals. The network put Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit on the Miami vs. Ole Miss game, which features No. 6 Ole Miss and No. 10 Miami.
That decision surprised many. ESPN assigned Sean McDonough and Greg McElroy to the other semifinal between No. 1 Indiana and No. 5 Oregon. Many expected ESPN’s top crew to call the game with the top seed, and the choice quickly upset fans online.
With the playoff down to four teams, both games carry huge stakes and national attention. Fans questioned why ESPN split its crews this way. Some pointed to Herbstreit’s NFL broadcasting duties as a possible reason, but ESPN never explained the decision. Herbstreit is still one of the most respected voices in football, although he recently suggested that he could step away from broadcasting.
The backlash was quick enough to get into social media. Some fans accused ESPN of favoring the SEC, while others supported the move. Within hours, the debate became loud and personal.
Fans reacted quickly after ESPN announced the assignments. Many pointed out that Ole Miss and Miami got Fowler and Herbstreit. Others wondered why Indiana and Oregon didn’t get ESPN’s top broadcast team.
ESPN assigned Fowler and Herbstreit to Thursday's UM- Mississippi national semifinal in Glendale and McDonough and McElroy to Friday's Oregon-Indiana semifinal in Atlanta
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) January 3, 2026
“I feel bad for Ole Miss. Herbie gonna Herbie,” one fan wrote online.
I feel bad for Ole Miss. Herbie gonna Herbie
— Tiny Dancer Year (@jb__juice) January 4, 2026
Another fan pointed directly at ESPN’s business ties. “Of course, because of the contract ESPN has with the SEC,” the fan wrote.
Of course, because of the contract ESPN has with the SEC.
— Albert (@County_Cane) January 3, 2026
Some Indiana and Oregon fans cheered the news. “Good. The IU-Oregon game will be an enjoyable watch without Fowler and Herbstreit,” one fan posted. The same fan added, “They will probably spend 80% of their game crying about Alabama being out of the playoff.”
Good. The IU-Oregon game will be an enjoyable watch without Fowler and Herbstreit. They will probably spend 80% of their game crying about Alabama being out of the playoff.
— OhioVsAll (@ohioversusall) January 4, 2026
Other fans looked at the logistics. Herbstreit works on NFL games each week. Travel could factor into ESPN’s plan. One fan raised another angle. “Sean McDonough lives in Arizona. That kinda stinks for him,” the fan wrote. “Also he has done Miami and Mississippi games in the last two weeks.”
Sean McDonough lives in Arizona. That kinda stinks for him . Also he has done Miami and Mississippi games in the last two weeks
— Jeff rountree (@ugatree) January 3, 2026
ESPN now sits in the middle...
