Kirk Herbstreit hates Northwestern

[pnt16]

Anyone post this?

"So Northwestern Twitter and all the noise — like, chill out. People have been respecting your brand forever. I mean, it's as simple as that. And you know what? When you look at your offense and what you're doing, it's efficient, but it's not an offense that's going to go out there and blow you away. I mean, they're scoring 25 a game. Even if you look at the game they had offensively, they played complementary football on offense. That's what they're doing. They're not trying to do a whole lot as far as spreading you out and trying to throw vertically, but it works for them. It complements their defense and dominating that side of the ball. When you're giving up 12 points a game on that side of the ball and you're creating turnovers, you don't really need to do a whole lot. Now, from where they were last year to right now, they're obviously much better. But it's defense, it's turnover margin, it's being smart on the offensive side — not turning it over, not making critical mistakes, winning field position. It feels like the ball is always on the opponent's side of the field."

"So they're doing old-school stuff and it's effective, and they're a confident team ... but I don't know — this whole saying about (Rece Davis) — if they need to use that as a rallying point, so be it, but give me a break on people not respecting this team and this program," Herbstreit said. "Those of us that follow this sport, we have poured compliment over compliment over compliment of this program led by Pat Fitzgerald. So they've got work to do. They've got Michigan State (1-3, Saturday), Minnesota (2-3, Dec. 5), Illinois (2-3, Dec. 12). They way they're playing right now, I don't know how they lose any of those games."



Before saying this he was making all the excuses for Wisconsin and Mertz. Must be feeling hurt for his fellow Buckeye Joey Galloway.

https://247sports.com/college/north...g-Ten-championship-odds-Ohio-State-155317002/

 

[CatVideos]

I didn’t know Herbstreit lacked a sense of humor. He’s the one who should “chill out”.

 

[Alan Smithee_rivals156293]

I agree with everything he is saying about the current team. I think it’s spot on. As for how much respect we’ve received, I’d rather worry about that after we’ve played well in the championship game. We have a lot of improvements to make to win that one.

 

[runawayCat]

Other than the chill out, remove that, and I have no issues with what he said. And there is probably a handful in our fa base that do need to chill out?

 

[CatVideos]

I agree with everything he is saying about the current team. I think it’s spot on. As for how much respect we’ve received, I’d rather worry about that after we’ve played well in the championship game. We have a lot of improvements to make to win that one.

What he said about the team is true, but making a big deal of the Rece Davises misses the fun of the whole schtick.

 

[DaCat]

It's all publicity and good fun for the players. Herbie can go suck his thumb.

 

[PurpleHaze525]

Anyone post this?

"So Northwestern Twitter and all the noise — like, chill out. People have been respecting your brand forever. I mean, it's as simple as that. And you know what? When you look at your offense and what you're doing, it's efficient, but it's not an offense that's going to go out there and blow you away. I mean, they're scoring 25 a game. Even if you look at the game they had offensively, they played complementary football on offense. That's what they're doing. They're not trying to do a whole lot as far as spreading you out and trying to throw vertically, but it works for them. It complements their defense and dominating that side of the ball. When you're giving up 12 points a game on that side of the ball and you're creating turnovers, you don't really need to do a whole lot. Now, from where they were last year to right now, they're obviously much better. But it's defense, it's turnover margin, it's being smart on the offensive side — not turning it over, not making critical mistakes, winning field position. It feels like the ball is always on the opponent's side of the field."

"So they're doing old-school stuff and it's effective, and they're a confident team ... but I don't know — this whole saying about (Rece Davis) — if they need to use that as a rallying point, so be it, but give me a break on people not respecting this team and this program," Herbstreit said. "Those of us that follow this sport, we have poured compliment over compliment over compliment of this program led by Pat Fitzgerald. So they've got work to do. They've got Michigan State (1-3, Saturday), Minnesota (2-3, Dec. 5), Illinois (2-3, Dec. 12). They way they're playing right now, I don't know how they lose any of those games."



Before saying this he was making all the excuses for Wisconsin and Mertz. Must be feeling hurt for his fellow Buckeye Joey Galloway.

https://247sports.com/college/north...g-Ten-championship-odds-Ohio-State-155317002/

I don't know, I can't really find any problems with anything he says here. He's absolutely correct about the respect thing - maybe some random fans still dismiss NU out of hand, but that's pretty much it. National analysts might not respect NU as much as, say, Ohio State, but they shouldn't!! They should respect us about as much as a program like Iowa, and for the most part they do! He's also right that he, personally, has generally been very positive and complimentary of Fitz and the 'Cats for the last decade or so.

But more importantly, there's a BIG difference between players/coaches talking about demanding respect and fans demanding it. The former is understandable, the latter is pathetic. Darren Rovell's "respect" tweet - which is probably what Herbstreit is referring to - was cringeworthy.

 

[Alan Smithee_rivals156293]

Our offense is significantly improved from last year - but it was horrific last year.

If it can continue improving, we’ll have greater margin for error, can overcome errors on the defensive side, and win games more comfortably. All good stuff that would bode well for more games against elite opponents.

 

[Titanium999]

I don't know, I can't really find any problems with anything he says here. He's absolutely correct about the respect thing - maybe some random fans still dismiss NU out of hand, but that's pretty much it. National analysts might not respect NU as much as, say, Ohio State, but they shouldn't!! They should respect us about as much as a program like Iowa, and for the most part they do! He's also right that he, personally, has generally been very positive and complimentary of Fitz and the 'Cats for the last decade or so.

But more importantly, there's a BIG difference between players/coaches talking about demanding respect and fans demanding it. The former is understandable, the latter is pathetic. Darren Rovell's "respect" tweet - which is probably what Herbstreit is referring to - was cringeworthy.

Smart dude!

 

[elgatoloco_rivals308553]

I've been checking Twitter after each game, and the majority of posts aren't about giving NU credit. Some do, but mostly, they're wow, we lost to Northwestern, our program is a Dumpster fire.

 

[SmellyCat]

I don’t think he hates NU at all. He’s usually appropriately complimentary.

The only thing he hates is when people say the media doesn’t respect their team. And I guarantee he’s heard it from every single fanbase in division 1. Many times. He’s just singling NU out because that’s where he’s hearing it from this week.

 

[JournCat]

Herbstreit was two years ahead of Galloway at Ohio State, so there's some sticking up for his old teammate here. Hard to get angry about it. If anything, this thread should have been titled "Kirk Herbstreit hates Northwestern twitter" ... and anyone who's seen a Darren Rovell tweet could understand that position.

 

[phatcat_rivals223240]

I've been checking Twitter after each game, and the majority of posts aren't about giving NU credit. Some do, but mostly, they're wow, we lost to Northwestern, our program is a Dumpster fire.

Which is probably true for every year Twitter has been in existence

Impossible to measure, but I'd bet we are responsible for more opposing coach firings than any other program.

'You lost to NW (sic)? You're fired'

 

[freewillie07]

I think the analysis of where the team is right now is spot-on, and I don't have any complaints about it.

As for the "respect" factor... I'd love for someone (West Lot Pirates?) to do an analysis of Big Ten West preseason conference predictions and records. In particular:

1. Where is a team predicted to finish in the West relative to where they ended the previous season?
2. How many wins does a team end up with relative to expectations headed into the season?

My *hunch* is that NU is repeatedly underestimated. My other hunch is that Nebraska is repeatedly overestimated, while Minny and Iowa are somewhere in between.

To me, this shows there's still a ways to go in the "respect" department. Pundits are still too scared to buy into NU as a real, lasting contender. Which, for better or worse, informs the mindset of Big Ten fans.

 

[Alan Smithee_rivals156293]

Which is probably true for every year Twitter has been in existence

Impossible to measure, but I'd bet we are responsible for more opposing coach firings than any other program.

'You lost to NW (sic)? You're fired'

Sometimes after they beat us (right, John L Smith?)

 

[SmellyCat]

1. Where is a team predicted to finish in the West relative to where they ended the previous season?
2. How many wins does a team end up with relative to expectations headed into the season?

My *hunch* is that NU is repeatedly underestimated and predicted to finish around .500. My other hunch is that Nebraska is repeatedly overestimated, while Minny and Iowa are somewhere in between.

To me, this shows there's still a ways to go in the "respect" department. Pundits are still too scared to buy into NU as a real, lasting contender. Which, for better or worse, informs the mindset of Big Ten fans.

Without even looking, I'd say most years it's this:
1) Wisconsin
2) Iowa or Nebraska
3) Iowa or Nebraska
4) Northwestern or Minnesota or Purdue
5) Northwestern or Minnesota or Purdue
6) Northwestern or Minnesota or Purdue
7) Illinois

Sure, there are variations, depending on where a team finished the previous season, but this is generally how it's going to go.

And every fanbase will see the prediction and think they're underrated (even Wisconsin). It's who we are!

 

[Catslash]

remember when you moved out of Columbus because the Buckeye fans loved you so much?

 

[Turk_rivals223269]

Anyone post this?

"So Northwestern Twitter and all the noise — like, chill out. People have been respecting your brand forever. I mean, it's as simple as that. And you know what? When you look at your offense and what you're doing, it's efficient, but it's not an offense that's going to go out there and blow you away. I mean, they're scoring 25 a game. Even if you look at the game they had offensively, they played complementary football on offense. That's what they're doing. They're not trying to do a whole lot as far as spreading you out and trying to throw vertically, but it works for them. It complements their defense and dominating that side of the ball. When you're giving up 12 points a game on that side of the ball and you're creating turnovers, you don't really need to do a whole lot. Now, from where they were last year to right now, they're obviously much better. But it's defense, it's turnover margin, it's being smart on the offensive side — not turning it over, not making critical mistakes, winning field position. It feels like the ball is always on the opponent's side of the field."

"So they're doing old-school stuff and it's effective, and they're a confident team ... but I don't know — this whole saying about (Rece Davis) — if they need to use that as a rallying point, so be it, but give me a break on people not respecting this team and this program," Herbstreit said. "Those of us that follow this sport, we have poured compliment over compliment over compliment of this program led by Pat Fitzgerald. So they've got work to do. They've got Michigan State (1-3, Saturday), Minnesota (2-3, Dec. 5), Illinois (2-3, Dec. 12). They way they're playing right now, I don't know how they lose any of those games."



Before saying this he was making all the excuses for Wisconsin and Mertz. Must be feeling hurt for his fellow Buckeye Joey Galloway.

https://247sports.com/college/north...g-Ten-championship-odds-Ohio-State-155317002/

We have work to do. We aren't entitled and we don't belong in the playoff talk 'yet'. Almost every year we get our *** handed to us by some suck school. Our margins are razor thin. I think we can beat OSU but I also can see us losing to MSU or Illinois. We aren't a bunch of hero's, we play as a team and limit mistakes. That's our thing.

Part of not making mistakes is missing tackles. We barely miss tackles. Biggest thing is that this team has an attitude and I think it starts with Ramsey being a hard running QB who isn't afraid of squat. Helps that he seems to have that sense of pocket presence that we haven't seen since Persa.

 

[eastbaycat99]

Cleveland.com B1G media poll since realignment:

2020: Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa
2019: Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin
2018: Wisconsin, Iowa, Northwestern
2017: Wisconsin, Northwestern, Nebraska
2016: Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin
2015: Wisconsin, Nebraska, Minnesota
2014: Iowa, Wisconsin, Nebraska

Actual:
2020 (current) Northwestern, Wisconsin, Iowa
2019: Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa
2018 : Northwestern, Wisconsin, Iowa
2017: Wisconsin, Northwestern, Iowa
2016: Wisconsin, Nebraska, Iowa
2015: Iowa, Northwestern, Wisconsin
2014: Wisconsin, Minnesota, Nebraska

Preseason top 3 inclusion (actual top 3 finishes):
Wisconsin 7, (7)
Iowa 5, (6)
Nebraska 5, (2)
Northwestern 2, (4)
Minnesota 2, (2)

Purdue and Illinois have neither been picked nor finished in the top 3.

 

[freewillie07]

Without even looking, I'd say most years it's this:
1) Wisconsin
2) Iowa or Nebraska
3) Iowa or Nebraska
4) Northwestern or Minnesota or Purdue
5) Northwestern or Minnesota or Purdue
6) Northwestern or Minnesota or Purdue
7) Illinois

Sure, there are variations, depending on where a team finished the previous season, but this is generally how it's going to go.

And every fanbase will see the prediction and think they're underrated (even Wisconsin). It's who we are!

Ok, so I went back and looked at Athlon's preseason Big Ten rankings, as they were the easiest to search for. I was pleasantly surprised to see the #2 ranking in 2017, but otherwise it's about what you'd expect.

2020: 6th
2019: 4th
2018: 4th
2017: 2nd
2016: 4th
2015: 5th

And this is where NU actually finished:
2019: 7th
2018: 1st
2017: 2nd
2016: 5th
2015: 2nd

My main takeaway is that there were consistency issues on offense during this period that caused ups and downs and probably made pundits more likely to just toss NU somewhere in the middle of the pack. I can only hope from what we've seen so far with Bajakian and Anderson now running the show that those swings can be smoothed out. It's another reason why I'm hoping Ramsey stays one more year to ease this transition.

If that's the case, and there's actual respect out there for NU, we should expect to see preseason rankings of #2 or #3 more often than #4 or #5.

 

[Gladeskat]

Once pundits flush Nebraska out of their minds, NU should get a better shake in the polls. Nebraska has greatly underachieved compared to their predictions. Nebraska is a strange program playing horrid football right now.

 

[Alaskawildkat]

What he said about the team is true, but making a big deal of the Rece Davises misses the fun of the whole schtick.

Can't blame him though for not getting all the attention fellow broadcaster Rece Davis is getting. Maybe someone can come up with alternate Herb Herbstreit T-Shirts for the team to wear pre-game this week.

 

[CSCatFan1]

Can't blame him though for not getting all the attention fellow broadcaster Rece Davis is getting. Maybe someone can come up with alternate Herb Herbstreit T-Shirts for the team to wear pre-game this week.

How about “Herbie Goes Bananas”?

 

[hdhntr1]

Once pundits flush Nebraska out of their minds, NU should get a better shake in the polls. Nebraska has greatly underachieved compared to their predictions. Nebraska is a strange program playing horrid football right now.

Why do you insult horrid fooball that way?

 

[hdhntr1]

Anyone post this?

"So Northwestern Twitter and all the noise — like, chill out. People have been respecting your brand forever. I mean, it's as simple as that. And you know what? When you look at your offense and what you're doing, it's efficient, but it's not an offense that's going to go out there and blow you away. I mean, they're scoring 25 a game. Even if you look at the game they had offensively, they played complementary football on offense. That's what they're doing. They're not trying to do a whole lot as far as spreading you out and trying to throw vertically, but it works for them. It complements their defense and dominating that side of the ball. When you're giving up 12 points a game on that side of the ball and you're creating turnovers, you don't really need to do a whole lot. Now, from where they were last year to right now, they're obviously much better. But it's defense, it's turnover margin, it's being smart on the offensive side — not turning it over, not making critical mistakes, winning field position. It feels like the ball is always on the opponent's side of the field."

"So they're doing old-school stuff and it's effective, and they're a confident team ... but I don't know — this whole saying about (Rece Davis) — if they need to use that as a rallying point, so be it, but give me a break on people not respecting this team and this program," Herbstreit said. "Those of us that follow this sport, we have poured compliment over compliment over compliment of this program led by Pat Fitzgerald. So they've got work to do. They've got Michigan State (1-3, Saturday), Minnesota (2-3, Dec. 5), Illinois (2-3, Dec. 12). They way they're playing right now, I don't know how they lose any of those games."



Before saying this he was making all the excuses for Wisconsin and Mertz. Must be feeling hurt for his fellow Buckeye Joey Galloway.

https://247sports.com/college/north...g-Ten-championship-odds-Ohio-State-155317002/

Doesn't really sound like he hates NU

 

[Bwm57]

anyone who's seen a Darren Rovell tweet could understand that position.

 

[ThatadultfromHolland]

Why would anyone do that to themselves. If I ran like that I'd have all my tape erased. His strides are horrible.

 

[ricko6543211]

Cleveland.com B1G media poll since realignment:

2020: Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa
2019: Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin
2018: Wisconsin, Iowa, Northwestern
2017: Wisconsin, Northwestern, Nebraska
2016: Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin
2015: Wisconsin, Nebraska, Minnesota
2014: Iowa, Wisconsin, Nebraska

Actual:
2020 (current) Northwestern, Wisconsin, Iowa
2019: Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa
2018 : Northwestern, Wisconsin, Iowa
2017: Wisconsin, Northwestern, Iowa
2016: Wisconsin, Nebraska, Iowa
2015: Iowa, Northwestern, Wisconsin
2014: Wisconsin, Minnesota, Nebraska

Preseason top 3 inclusion (actual top 3 finishes):
Wisconsin 7, (7)
Iowa 5, (6)
Nebraska 5, (2)
Northwestern 2, (4)
Minnesota 2, (2)

Purdue and Illinois have neither been picked nor finished in the top 3.

Nice research. If you take it one additional step and assign a 3/2/1 scale to that (3 for 1st place), here are the results over 7 years:

Wisconsin: 16 pts preseason / 17 pts final
Iowa: 11 pts / 8 pts
Nebraska: 9 pts / 3 pts
Minnesota: 3 pts / 4 pts
Northwestern: 3 pts / 10 pts

So basically we have finished about where Nebraska has been projected to finish on average (not in each individual year obviously), and vice versa. Iowa has been slightly overrated on balance, and has had a propensity for finishing 3rd in the division.

 

[rwhitney014]

Ok, so I went back and looked at Athlon's preseason Big Ten rankings, as they were the easiest to search for. I was pleasantly surprised to see the #2 ranking in 2017, but otherwise it's about what you'd expect.

2020: 6th
2019: 4th
2018: 4th
2017: 2nd
2016: 4th
2015: 5th

And this is where NU actually finished:
2019: 7th
2018: 1st
2017: 2nd
2016: 5th
2015: 2nd

My main takeaway is that there were consistency issues on offense during this period that caused ups and downs and probably made pundits more likely to just toss NU somewhere in the middle of the pack. I can only hope from what we've seen so far with Bajakian and Anderson now running the show that those swings can be smoothed out. It's another reason why I'm hoping Ramsey stays one more year to ease this transition.

If that's the case, and there's actual respect out there for NU, we should expect to see preseason rankings of #2 or #3 more often than #4 or #5.

There's ample evidence that we're consistently underestimated and disrespected with the backhanded compliments of "doing more with less," which is pretty much exactly what Herbstreit's saying here too.

CBS's 2020 Big Ten predictions polled 7 experts. All of them had us 6th or 7th in the West.

Off Tackle Empire polled 21 "experts," who averaged us out at 5th. The best projected record any of them gave us was 4-4.

Vegas gave us the second-longest odds in the conference on winning the Big Ten championship (+30000). Wisconsin was at +600. 0-5 Penn State was at +650. 2-3 Michigan was at +2000. Iowa, Nebraska, Purdue, who we beat? + 2500, +5000, +10000.

No one thinks our offense is outscoring OSU in a shootout, and everyone is laughing at the Rece Davis thing. Ultimately, what matters is winning games. I hope we go 8-0 and get our shot again at the Buckeyes; beating them is ultimately the only way everyday observers will begin to give us real credit.

 

[ColumbusCatFan1_rivals]

Anyone post this?

"So Northwestern Twitter and all the noise — like, chill out. People have been respecting your brand forever. I mean, it's as simple as that. And you know what? When you look at your offense and what you're doing, it's efficient, but it's not an offense that's going to go out there and blow you away. I mean, they're scoring 25 a game. Even if you look at the game they had offensively, they played complementary football on offense. That's what they're doing. They're not trying to do a whole lot as far as spreading you out and trying to throw vertically, but it works for them. It complements their defense and dominating that side of the ball. When you're giving up 12 points a game on that side of the ball and you're creating turnovers, you don't really need to do a whole lot. Now, from where they were last year to right now, they're obviously much better. But it's defense, it's turnover margin, it's being smart on the offensive side — not turning it over, not making critical mistakes, winning field position. It feels like the ball is always on the opponent's side of the field."

"So they're doing old-school stuff and it's effective, and they're a confident team ... but I don't know — this whole saying about (Rece Davis) — if they need to use that as a rallying point, so be it, but give me a break on people not respecting this team and this program," Herbstreit said. "Those of us that follow this sport, we have poured compliment over compliment over compliment of this program led by Pat Fitzgerald. So they've got work to do. They've got Michigan State (1-3, Saturday), Minnesota (2-3, Dec. 5), Illinois (2-3, Dec. 12). They way they're playing right now, I don't know how they lose any of those games."



Before saying this he was making all the excuses for Wisconsin and Mertz. Must be feeling hurt for his fellow Buckeye Joey Galloway.

https://247sports.com/college/north...g-Ten-championship-odds-Ohio-State-155317002/

His analysis of the team’s play/style is spot on, but “...people have been respecting your brand forever...” is laughable.

Herbstreit himself yes. People no.

Maybe he is trying to get some of the heat off his fellow Buckeye Galloway?

 

[Alaskawildkat]

Can't blame him though for not getting all the attention fellow broadcaster Rece Davis is getting. Maybe someone can come up with alternate Herb Herbstreit T-Shirts for the team to wear pre-game this week.

How about “Herbie Goes Bananas”?

Either that or "Herbie We Love You" with a photo of his alter ego namesake.

 

[Medill '03]

His analysis of the team’s play/style is spot on, but “...people have been respecting your brand forever...” is laughable.

Herbstreit himself yes. People no.

Maybe he is trying to get some of the heat off his fellow Buckeye Galloway?

Herbstreit is one of the exceptions. He has a good read on Northwestern. Not so with many other college football pundits and fans. Perception lags way behind reality.

 

[CatManTrue]

Who gives a crusty crap what any media personality said? They’re a bunch of cackling hens on the flatscreen.

 

[kaTNap]

Herbie's saying loads of nice stuff about us tonight on the selection show. Basically that we've earned #8, we have 3 winnable games left and a good chance to go to Indy in control of our own destiny, and basically said he thought we could give OhSt a good game. It's hard to be more complimentary than that.

 

[Katatonic]

My main takeaway is that there were consistency issues on offense during this period that caused ups and downs and probably made pundits more likely to just toss NU somewhere in the middle of the pack. I can only hope from what we've seen so far with Bajakian and Anderson now running the show that those swings can be smoothed out. It's another reason why I'm hoping Ramsey stays one more year to ease this transition.

If that's the case, and there's actual respect out there for NU, we should expect to see preseason rankings of #2 or #3 more often than #4 or #5.

Not just the losses, but the types of losses.

When was the last time Wisky lost to Army or a directional school?

 

[Fanaticat98]

I had forgotten that even in our West division title season we lost to Akron.

 

[villox]

Man look at this jerk. The hatred is out of control.

 

[NJCat]

Man look at this jerk. The hatred is out of control.

Damn hater......

 

[CSCatFan1]

Man look at this jerk. The hatred is out of control.

Was Kirk a DB? That’s a hell of a backpedal!

 

[Hungry Jack]

Herbstreit was two years ahead of Galloway at Ohio State, so there's some sticking up for his old teammate here. Hard to get angry about it. If anything, this thread should have been titled "Kirk Herbstreit hates Northwestern twitter" ... and anyone who's seen a Darren Rovell tweet could understand that position.

That was my take. Trying to cover a classmate’s rear and his on air stupidity.