Kirk Herbstreit Fully Embraces Ohio State Fandom Ahead of National Championship

When the Ohio State Buckeyes take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Monday night in the CFP national championship game, they’ll have one of their own ringing the bell.

ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit, who quarterbacked the Buckeyes from 1989 to ’93, will be on color commentary duties in Atlanta with play-by-play partner Chris Fowler — and he’s not shying away from his OSU fandom:

“At the end of the day, I’m no different than someone sitting on their couch. I just prepare and talk about it,” Herbstreit explained at Saturday’s media day in Atlanta. “I’m an Ohio State junkie. So when they do well and I’m able to enjoy it, nobody’s more excited than me. So yeah, I get locked in and if the scarlet confetti falls down. , I’ll try to race to the field to hug my son and be part of that celebration if they’re lucky enough to win.”

Herbstreit’s son Zak is a senior tight end for Ohio State, while his younger son committed to play quarterback for the rival Michigan Wolverines late last year.

The Buckeyes enter Monday night’s title game riding a three-game winning streak following their late November loss to Michigan in The gamewhile their opponents in Notre Dame win 13 straight.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM EST from Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.