Should Kirk Herbstreit apologize to LSU football?

ESPN College Gameday host Kirk Herbstreit suggested on Saturday morning that LSU football doesn’t appear to be interested in playing football anymore.

Herbstreit made the comment while making his prediction for the Tigers’ matchup against Mississippi State.

The former Ohio State quarterback picked the Bulldogs to beat LSU on Saturday because of his perception that the Tigers don’t care about playing football anymore.

LSU ended up winning the game 28-25 in Starkville.

Should Kirk Herbstreit apologize to LSU football?

The opinions on Herbstreit as an analyst are varied. Some people love him. Some people can’t stand him.

But regardless of how anyone feels about Herbstreit, one thing is true — his words have an impact. When Herbstreit says something, people listen. It becomes a huge topic.

And that’s exactly what happened with his comment about LSU on Saturday.

I immediately wrote about what Herbstreit said. I suggested that if Herbstreit’s comments are accurate then Ed Orgeron should be fired. I still feel that way. I’d feel that way about any coach in college football — including Nick Saban at Alabama.

But after watching the Tigers beat Mississippi State, I don’t think what Herbstreit said is accurate. And he should apologize publicly to LSU.

The Tigers went on the road and beat a Mississippi State team that provides a unique challenge. The Bulldogs are never going to win the SEC West under Mike Leach, but they’re going to be a program that’s capable of pulling off some upsets on an annual basis. When Leach’s air raid offense is hitting on all cylinders, it can be tough to defend against.

For that reason, beating Mississippi State on the road is always a good win.

LSU had to fight hard to beat the Bulldogs. They looked like winning a football game is all that mattered to them.

The Tigers certainly didn’t look like a team that wasn’t interested in playing football.

Herbstreit made a comment that could be potentially damaging to LSU and Coach O. He needs to make it right and publicly say he was wrong.