“Best joke I've heard”: Fans left amused as Kirk Herbstreit picks bizarre program for CFB playoffs contention

Kirk Herbstreit, a widely respected college football analyst has made a prediction for the upcoming season that some may see as bizarre. Herbstreit was on The Pat McAfee Show and was asked for his predictions for the Big Ten this year.

He would go on to say that the Rutgers Scarlet Knights are going to be the dark horses in this year's Big Ten.

The reactions to this prediction were quick to follow. These fans think that Rutgers have no chance to make it out of the Big Ten this year:

"Not a chance with USC,Oregon, Ohio St, and Michigan to compete with," said this fan.

"I have more confidence in UCLA being the Big Ten Dark Horse then Rutgers come on man," said another fan.

"Yes maybe in ncaa 25..," said a third fan.

These fans disagree with what Kirk Herbstreit said and took to social media to criticize him:

"Can I have some of what Kirk is on," said this fan sarcastically.

"The day kirk and pat are no longer on gameday is the day that cfb fans will be able to watch again," said another fan.

"I don’t even think Kirk believes this🤣" said a third fan.

"this honestly might be worse than ur anti-FSU propaganda @KirkHerbstreit," this fan claimed.

These fans have seen the funny side of this suggestion.

"Best joke I've heard all day 😂😂😂😂" said this fan.

However, these fans think that Kirk Herbstreit might be on to something, and think that the Scarlet Knights could actually have a chance at making the Playoffs:

"Their schedule is very favorable with that team. Def could make it with some luck," explained this fan.

"Everyone knows they're the best in the Big Ten. They're way better than the frauds in Michigan," said another fan.

"I'm totally with him on Schiano & Rutgers. I'm laying 💰 on it," said another fan.

"I thought this was ridiculous, then realized Rutgers doesn’t play OSU, Oregon, TCUN, or PSU. Not as outrageous as it sounds tbh," this fan wrote.

Could Kirk Herbstreit be right? Can Rutgers have a good Big Ten season?

Ever since the Rutgers Scarlet Knights joined the Big Ten in 2014, the team has struggled to defeat many of their fellow Big Ten teams. On some occasions under former head coach Chris Ash, Rutgers went 0-9 against Big Ten teams.

The return of head coach Greg Schiano brought in some improvements, but they still could not win more than three conference games. But, this year, things could be different.

An expanded Big Ten may help Rutgers, especially in their schedule. This season, after two easy openers against non-conference opponents, the Scarlet Knights open their Big Ten season against the Washington Huskies. But, this could be the only 'big opposition' they face this year.

They will not face the likes of Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State or Oregon (who would all easily defeat them). The schedule is weak at times, and this could be the best chance for the slowly improving Rutgers Scarlet Knights to make a run in a conference where they have struggled to walk at times.