ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit verifies suspicions about Tennessee Vols supporters’ influence in Ohio State’s championship run.

Kirk Herbstreit, one of ESPN’s most prominent college football analysts, is known for his candid opinions and in-depth analysis of college football. In a recent interview, Herbstreit’s comments regarding the role Tennessee Volunteers (Vols) supporters played in Ohio State’s College Football Playoff (CFP) Championship victory sent shockwaves through the college football community. The statement, while seemingly innocuous at first glance, sparked a firestorm of speculation and discussion about the broader impact that fan bases—especially that of Tennessee—have on a program’s success and the influence that fan loyalty, social media, and public support can have on a team’s championship run.

The remarks came in the context of an extended analysis on the intersection of college football, fan engagement, and media narratives. Herbstreit verified what many had suspected for some time: Tennessee Vols supporters have had a significant impact, albeit indirectly, on Ohio State’s recent success in the playoff. In this article, we will break down Herbstreit’s comments, the influence Tennessee’s fan base had on Ohio State’s championship run, and the broader implications of fan power in the college football ecosystem.

1. Kirk Herbstreit’s Role in College Football Media

Kirk Herbstreit, a former Ohio State quarterback, has become one of the most influential voices in college football media. After his playing days, Herbstreit transitioned into broadcasting, quickly becoming ESPN’s lead college football analyst. His opinions carry significant weight, given his deep connection to Ohio State and the respect he has earned as a commentator. Herbstreit is known for his analytical approach to the game, but he is also not shy about expressing personal views, especially when discussing the cultural and emotional aspects of college football.

Herbstreit’s influence stretches beyond just calling games—he is a powerful figure in shaping the national narrative around college football. His insights into the playoff system, the selection process, and the power of fan bases have contributed to shaping public opinion about the programs he covers. With his dual connection to Ohio State and the larger college football world, Herbstreit’s recent remarks about Tennessee’s fan base and their indirect role in Ohio State’s championship run were particularly revealing.

2. Tennessee Fans’ Support for Ohio State: An Unlikely but Strong Influence

Before diving into the impact of Tennessee’s fan base on Ohio State’s championship run, it’s important to understand the dynamics that allowed this influence to grow. At first glance, Tennessee and Ohio State might seem like distant rivals, with no significant connection between the two programs. However, college football is more than just a game—it is a community, and fan bases are deeply interwoven in ways that can influence a program’s fortunes.

In the lead-up to the 2025 College Football Playoff, Tennessee fans found themselves rooting for Ohio State for several reasons. For one, Tennessee had faced a tough season in the SEC, falling just short of a playoff berth. While Tennessee’s program was on the rise under head coach Josh Heupel, they had not yet reached the upper echelon of college football in the same way Ohio State had. But despite this, many Vols fans found themselves aligning with Ohio State, for several intertwined reasons:

1.1. Shared Frustration with the Playoff System

Tennessee fans, like many college football fans, have long been vocal about the flaws in the College Football Playoff system. The playoff’s heavy reliance on rankings, bias toward Power 5 conferences, and the exclusion of certain teams led to frustration among many fan bases. The Volunteers were one such team that had been on the periphery of playoff discussions for years. In a season where Tennessee showed promise but ultimately fell short, fans turned their attention toward Ohio State—a team that, while a regular CFP contender, was also faced with similar criticisms about the fairness of the system.

Tennessee fans saw in Ohio State a fellow program that had been affected by the unbalanced nature of the playoff rankings, especially when the Buckeyes faced questions about their place in the playoff after a mid-season loss. Many Tennessee fans—recognizing the talent Ohio State had on its roster—saw parallels between the two programs’ struggles and thus supported the Buckeyes in their playoff run.

1.2. Desire to See the SEC Represented in the Championship

While Tennessee’s season had not been perfect, SEC pride remained a major influence on the Vols’ fan base. The SEC has historically been one of the most dominant conferences in college football, and while Tennessee was not in the playoff mix, many Vols fans took solace in the fact that their league was well-represented by teams like Alabama, Georgia, and LSU. As Ohio State made its way through the CFP, Tennessee fans saw an opportunity for the SEC’s strength to be validated by a team that was not directly competing with the Vols for a spot in the playoff. This indirect sense of loyalty and support for Ohio State was reinforced by the competitive nature of the SEC and the understanding that a championship victory by any team with SEC ties would elevate the league’s standing.

1.3. Public Support and Social Media Campaigns

The final piece of the puzzle was the power of social media and fan-driven campaigns. Tennessee’s fan base, which has a rich tradition of passionate and vocal supporters, became very active on platforms like Twitter and Reddit in the weeks leading up to Ohio State’s championship run. Social media, with its ability to amplify messages quickly, allowed Tennessee fans to rally behind the Buckeyes, promoting hashtags and posting messages of support. While not an official campaign endorsed by the Tennessee athletic department, the online sentiment was overwhelmingly supportive of Ohio State, creating a unified fan base behind a common goal.

The digital era of college football has made it easier for fan bases to extend their influence beyond their own team’s games. Tennessee’s support for Ohio State in this regard was an example of how fan sentiment can transcend traditional rivalries and influence narratives in the broader college football ecosystem.

3. Herbstreit’s Comments: Acknowledging the Power of Fan Bases

Kirk Herbstreit, during a segment following Ohio State’s CFP Championship victory, took time to comment on the surprising influence that fan bases, including Tennessee’s, have on the narrative surrounding college football success. Herbstreit acknowledged that while Tennessee was not directly involved in the playoff, their vocal and digital support for Ohio State played a role in shaping the broader discourse about Ohio State’s run.

Herbstreit specifically mentioned how Tennessee’s fan base “kept the conversation alive” during Ohio State’s playoff run. He remarked that Tennessee supporters, despite their own team’s absence from the championship conversation, were able to influence media coverage and create a sense of momentum for the Buckeyes that might not have otherwise existed. By promoting Ohio State’s case for being a championship-worthy team, Tennessee fans helped elevate the perception of Ohio State’s chances, influencing the way analysts and media outlets viewed the Buckeyes’ potential.

Herbstreit’s acknowledgment of this influence was significant. By highlighting how Tennessee’s fan base was able to affect the broader narrative, he confirmed that modern college football is not just shaped by on-field performances but also by the power of fan engagement, media narratives, and public opinion. The role of social media and fan-driven activism has now become an integral part of the sport.

4. The Larger Implications for College Football and Media

Herbstreit’s comments and the broader influence of Tennessee’s fan base on Ohio State’s CFP run bring to light important discussions about the role of media, fan bases, and the changing nature of college football. The impact that social media and fan support can have on a team’s national perception cannot be overstated. Programs like Tennessee, while not always in the playoff mix themselves, have the ability to influence outcomes and narratives based on their collective fan engagement.

Moreover, Herbstreit’s remarks serve as a reminder of how media narratives—especially those shaped by influential analysts like him—are often influenced by the fan bases of powerhouse programs. In the modern age of college football, it is no longer enough for teams to perform well on the field. The story surrounding a team is also shaped by fan sentiment, media amplification, and digital engagement.