Kirk Herbstreit Apologizes After Saying Michigan Will ‘Wave The White Flag’ And Opt Out Of Game Against Ohio State

Kirk Herbstreit made headlines earlier today when he boldly claimed that the Michigan football team was going to use COVID as an excuse to duck the Buckeyes next week, which would keep Ohio State out of the Big Ten Championship game.

Kirk Herbstreit dares Michigan not to duck Ohio State next week pic.twitter.com/K608RMgpiv

— Ryan Glasspiegel (@sportsrapport) December 2, 2020

“I still think Michigan waves the white flag, potentially avoids playing Ohio State next week, and then they’ll potentially get a game on the 19th,” Herbstreit said. “Is that fair, David [Pollack]? Michigan could opt out, basically, of that game, and keep Ohio State out of six games to qualify for the Big Ten championship. That doesn’t make sense to me.”

Kirk Herbstreit says he's talked to coaches who think teams are "opting out" of games just to avoid getting humiliated.

That's a bold accusation.

— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) December 2, 2020

Herbstreit later apologized for unleashing this baseless claim.

Just wanted to clarify something I said earlier tonight during our CFP rankings show. Apologize to ⁦@UMichFootball⁩ for my words. pic.twitter.com/tCBGjl7GTV

— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) December 2, 2020

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“I had no business at all saying that. I have no evidence of that. It was completely unfair to the University of Michigan, to Jim Harbaugh, to his players and his coaches,” he said.

Herbstreit did play quarterback for Ohio State from 1989-92, so it might just be in his DNA to bash the Wolverines any chance he gets. It’s not too hard, either. Jim Harbaugh is 0-5 against OSU since taking over as Michigan’s head coach. His inability to compete in this bitter rivalry might end up being the nail in the coffin, as it looks like his days are limited as head coach.

Maybe we can give Kirk Herbstreit a pass here?

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