ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit has taken center stage after his back-and-forth with fellow analyst Pat McAfee on the ESPN/ABC versus YouTube TV standoff. Herbstreit and McAfee shared the stage during “College GameDay’s” visit to Lubbock for the epic Big 12 clash pitting the No. 9 Texas Tech Red Raiders against the No. 8 BYU Cougars.
During the show on Saturday, Herbstreit showcased a new look with a fancy mustache taped to his lip, leading to a hilarious exchange between himself and McAfee.
“Kirk, I think you look amazing down here, brother,” McAfee said. “It is certainly indicative of the beautiful town that we’re in. I won’t insult Jacob Rodriguez’s moustache, have you seen it?” Kirk Herbstreit said.
Kirk Herbstreit’s New Look Elicits Mixed Reactions From Fans
College football fans on X had mixed reactions to Herbstreit’s taped-on moustache:
“You’re too Handsome for a mustache,” one fan tweeted.
You’re too Handsome for a mustache
— becky rider (@rider705) November 8, 2025
“Ha love it! You gotta flip that mustache the opposite direction, Kirk,” another fan tweeted.
Ha love it! You gotta flip that mustache the opposite direction, Kirk.
— Cam George (@CamCamgeorge87) November 8, 2025
“I thought this was Dr. Phil….” One fan tweeted.
I thought this was Dr. Phil….
— David Stockton (@stocktondavid) November 8, 2025
“Mario Bro…. Kirk!” Another fan tweeted.
Mario Bro….
Kirk! 💯🏈😎
— Avery Cushak (@ACash5150) November 8, 2025
“It’s upside down,” one fan tweeted.
It’s upside down 🙃 😝 🤵🏻♂️
— Lilah 💜💛🐅🧡🖤 (@3_elle_tiger) November 8, 2025
Why Were Herbstreit and McAfee Beefing?
On Nov. 1, Herbstreit tweeted a link on X, urging fans to visit a website that would allow them to circumnavigate the Disney-owned channels versus the Google-owned YouTube TV standoff. During the “Pat McAfee Show” on Tuesday, McAfee called out ESPN personalities who had tweeted the message on various social media platforms.
When Herbstreit joined McAfee’s show on Thursday, the polarizing ESPN analyst immediately called him out for his call to action.
“He’s the voice of college football, golly, the former president of Ohio and he needs you to go to keepyournetworks.com, ladies and gentlemen, Kirk Herbstreit,” McAfee said Thursday. “I hated that you posted that. I know you felt obligated.”
Despite being publicly called out by his colleague, Herbstreit had a ready response, explaining his actions to McAfee.
“Somebody told me (to), and I thought maybe this’ll help let people watch the show is all,” Herbstreit said. “I didn’t really think about (the deeper implications). I thought, ‘hey, maybe this will help people watch games today.’ That’s all I thought. Why don’t you just guide me on that shit from now on?”
Despite the simmering back and forth between the ESPN colleagues, McAfee and Herbstreit interacted with no animosity during College GameDay’s visit to Lubbock in Week 11.
