ESPN lead college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit expects the adjustment by Alabama in the future schedule to become a trend in college football. The comments from Herbstreit relate to the Miami win over Notre Dame in the 2025 season opener.
Alabama moved its 2026 game against South Florida to 2032 and added Chattanooga to its schedule next season. Alabama will also play East Carolina in 2026 and Marshall in 2027. Schedule changes have been common in the ACC and SEC, with both conferences joining the Big XII and Big 10 with nine-game conference schedules.
Miami and South Carolina mutually agreed not to play their scheduled home-and-home series in 2026 and 2027. Miami hosts Florida A&M and Central Michigan and plays at Notre Dame on its 2026 non-conference schedule. Notre Dame will host Miami on November 7.
In his own words, Herbstreit said, "Get ready to see this happen all over the sport." Herbstreit added, "If it's only about how many wins ya have and not who you're playing and where you're playing you're gonna see every AD make these same moves."
Get ready to see this happen all over the sport. If it’s only about how many wins ya have and not who you’re playing and where you’re playing you’re gonna see every AD make these same moves. Kiss meaningful non conference games in late August and early September goodbye. Cupcakes… https://t.co/ao21Q6mqJA
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) December 2, 2025
The specific comment by Herbstreit that it's about how many wins you have and not who you're playing and where you're playing is a general indictment of the meaning of the College Football Playoff rankings and specifically Miami beating Notre Dame.
Miami beat Notre Dame 27-24 and dominated the first three quarters. Despite Miami beating Notre Dame, the Fighting Irish are 10th and the Hurricanes are 12th in the penultimate 2025 College Football Playoff rankings. Miami and Notre Dame both finished the regular season with 10-2 records.
Miami has received a swell of support from college football analysts nationally and from other coaches that their win over Notre Dame should matter. Herbstreit closed his comments by stating. "Kiss meaningful non conference games in late August and early September goodbye. Cupcakes moving forward till teams get to conference play."
Notre Dame is required to play five games per season against ACC opponents. Miami is scheduled to play at Notre Dame in 2026,2028, 2031 and 2037. Miami will host Notre Dame in 2032 and 2034. Utah in 2027 and Auburn in 2029 and 2030 are the only Power Conference opponents on future Miami schedules.