Week 3 of the college football season delivered plenty of drama, but the biggest controversy might be happening off the field. ESPN's No. 1 broadcast team of Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, Holly Rowe, and Laura Rutledge called the Ole Miss-LSU showdown in Oxford, where the Rebels edged the Tigers in a rivalry classic. But while that top squad is locked in, fans are increasingly frustrated with the network's secondary assignments.
The spotlight has turned to analyst Cole Cubelic, who spent Saturday calling Tennessee's lopsided win over Kennesaw State. Cubelic is widely regarded as one of the sharpest minds in college football, yet he's been stuck on games with massive point spreads instead of marquee matchups. The backlash has grown so loud that even ESPN's own Josh Pate is calling out the network.
“Cole Cubelic combines ball knowledge + big game aura + SEC adjacency better than anyone (a super-majority of viewers would agree). Having him call games with 5TD spreads every week continues to be an inexplicable whiff,” Pate wrote on social media. “Called Kent State vs Tennessee yesterday. What are we doing?”
The criticism echoes a broader sentiment among fans who feel ESPN's lineup hierarchy doesn't always reflect who delivers the best broadcast. Cubelic's supporters point to his ability to break down schemes and explain the game in a way that's both accessible and insightful. One fan, identifying as an Alabama supporter, wrote: “Bama fan here and he is ELITE. Would have loved to have him on the call for the Bama game yesterday. Knows the box better than anyone in the game and explains better than anyone else.”
Another fan compared Cubelic favorably to other ESPN analysts, noting, “I listen to him and McElroy in the mornings & the difference is rather stark. I’m a bama guy, but I tune in to listen to Cubelic. His knowledge & analysis is fantastic. Greg just talks on and off the air. Often times, in direct contradiction to what is playing out on screen.”
The frustration isn't just about one game. It's part of a larger pattern where ESPN's most talented voices don't always get the premier assignments. This isn't the first time the network has faced criticism over its broadcasting choices—recently, Chris Simms blasted ESPN and College GameDay for political propaganda, and fans have also voiced displeasure with Fitzpatrick's frat-boy act on Thursday Night Football. Even the network's pregame show has had its share of backlash, as seen when Morgan Freeman's guest spot left fans heartbroken.
So, does ESPN need to make a change? The answer seems obvious to many. Cubelic has proven he can handle big moments, and his chemistry with play-by-play partners is solid. With the SEC schedule heating up and rivalry weeks ahead, the network has a chance to correct course. But until they do, the calls for a promotion will only get louder.
In the meantime, fans will continue to tune in—and grumble—when they see Cubelic assigned to another blowout. The talent is there, the desire is there, and the audience is clearly asking for it. The ball is in ESPN's court.
