Q&A: Kirk Herbstreit

By Mel Bracht

Published: October 10, 2008

A few questions for ESPN/ABC analyst Kirk Herbstreit, who will call his first OU-Texas game Saturday:

→What are the keys to the OU-Texas game?

The key to me is if Texas can get pressure on (OU quarterback) Sam Bradford. They can defend the run pretty well, but can they get to Bradford, who has been sitting back there, having a lot of time to throw. Texas has three new starters in the secondary. It could be a long day for Texas defensively if he has time to throw. ... On the other side, (Texas quarterback) Colt McCoy is making great decisions with the football. They have to throw with Colt and hope he has some ability to improvise with scrambling and things of that nature.

→What are your impressions of OU?

This team has the look that the great Oklahoma teams have had in the past. I think they are athletic, hungry and mature. I think that being a veteran group — having gone through some of the peaks and valleys — has got them focused right now. They haven’t laid an egg yet. They haven’t had a game where they just do enough to get by. It’s almost as if they don’t care who they are playing; they bring it every week. That’s called being self-policed.

→What is your critique of Sam Bradford?

I love Sam Bradford. Oh, my gosh! His foot work, his composure, his decision-making. He looks like a fifth-year senior. He almost looks like a Tom Brady. He’s sitting there evaluating. Now he’s got a quick release. He’s got a really strong arm. He’s the total package. When you throw in this no-huddle offense that they’re running, he looks like he’s in total control.

→What do you expect in the OSU-Missouri game?

This has the makings of a shootout. Both teams have so much offensive firepower. We’re going to learn a lot more about Oklahoma State on whether they are a pretender or contender. I think Missouri is the real deal. They kind of scratched the surface last year. Got a taste of it and got a reality check in San Antonio against the Sooners. They are a year older and understand that to play with big boys you have to be more physical, especially in the trenches and defensively.

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