Kirk Herbstreit under fire for lack of Notre Dame football respect

Considering that Notre Dame football has more talent on its roster than most other schools in the country, it’s a little weird how much they still seem to be getting overlooked. Sometimes it’s just outright disrespect, other times it’s just a throwaway line that seemingly also throws shade on the Fighting Irish.

Such was the case of a comment ESPN broadcaster Kirk Herbstreit made towards the end of the Irish’s game against Texas A&M. The announcer was almost surely not trying to offend Notre Dame fans with his comment, but it still struck several fans are more than a little odd.

The comment in question was just as the final seconds were ticking off the Notre Dame football win in Kyle Field. Herbstreit said that Texas A&M was in for a rough road because “the defenses are only going to get tougher for them.”

Blue and Gold fans took issue with that comment mainly because Al Golden’s defense is in fact, one of the best they’ll see this year. It was, in fact, one of the best in the country last year.

Notre Dame football fans rage at Kirk Herbstreit over comments on defense

“Kirk Herbstreit talking about Texas A&M’s future opponents… what?” the fan account Notre Dame recruiting tweeted out. “Notre Dame was number 1 in the country last year in EPA per pass, and the secondary only got better. Kirk, what are you saying?”

“ND defense has 3 first or second team All Americans,” another fan added. “including the 2023 national college defensive player of the year.”

“I’d argue, looking at all who are back on ND’s D. Nagurski winning safety,” a third fan said. “Future 1st rd corner, 5th yr DT’s and LB all back. Looking at last years stats, I’d say they faced one of the, if not THEE toughest D they will face all year.”

For his part, Herbsteit is plenty used to take fire for comments he makes on the air. The blowback will almost certainly not faze him. Still, it would do him good to think more about his comments regarding Notre Dame football.