College football is still 23 days away, but Kirk Herbstreit is already getting under fans' skin — and this time, it's not about his takes on the playoff committee or his love for the SEC. It's about his dog.
Herbstreit, the longtime ESPN analyst and former Ohio State quarterback, has been a staple on "College GameDay" since 1996. With five Sports Emmy Awards and decades of insight, he's widely respected as one of the sharpest minds in the sport. But lately, fans are less impressed with his football knowledge and more annoyed by his constant canine companion.
This week, Herbstreit posted a video of himself petting his golden retriever, Peter, with the caption: "Get some sleep while you can Peter…football season is almost here." The post was meant to be a lighthearted nod to the upcoming season, but it quickly backfired as fans flooded the comments with frustration.
"Good grief, enough with the dog. Love mine too but this has gotten silly," one fan wrote.
"Already sick of this [expletive]," another replied.
"Kirk replaced [Lee] Corso with a dog and I hate him for it," a third commenter added, referencing the legendary former GameDay analyst.
Sarcasm was also in full swing. "I didn't know Herbstreit had a dog," one user joked. "Why didn't anybody ever mention this?"
The backlash isn't new. Fans have been vocal about Herbstreit's dog-centric content for months, and the criticism has only intensified as the season approaches. Some see it as a harmless quirk, but others believe it's overshadowing the actual analysis. The debate even spilled onto social media, with one fan posting: "I love dogs and I love college football. I cannot stand Kirk Herbstreit for inserting his dog worship behavior into everything he does."
Despite the noise, Herbstreit will be back on your screens when "College GameDay" returns for its 40th season. He'll join Rece Davis, Desmond Howard, Pat McAfee, and Nick Saban for the first show in Baton Rouge, previewing a marquee matchup between Clemson and LSU. A week later, the crew heads to Austin for Ohio State vs. Texas — a game that's already generating plenty of buzz.
Whether fans are ready for more Peter or not, it seems the golden retriever will be a fixture of the 2026 season. As Herbstreit continues to share his furry friend with the world, the question remains: will viewers ever warm up to it? Or will the dog drama become the story of the year?
One thing's for sure — with late-night title games and college sports chaos already dominating headlines, Herbstreit's dog antics are just another layer of the ever-evolving college football landscape. And if the early reaction is any indication, this season's biggest rivalry might not be on the field — it could be between Herbstreit and his own fanbase.
So, are you ready for football? Just be prepared for plenty of Peter along the way.
