Fortunately for all fans of college football, NFL-centric FOX Sports, after covering the sport with the same level of enthusiasm normally reserved for prostate exams, has passed the BcS broadcast torch to ESPN. Even more fortunate, we’ll get the very best the network has to offer when it comes to the broadcast booth for the biggest game of the season.
According to USA Today‘s Michael Hiestand, Brent Musburger and Kirk Herbstreit will call the Jan. 10 national championship game from Glendale, which, thank the prophylactic gods, won’t be paved with Trojans this year. As expected, Erin Andrews will be the sideline reporter for the title game.
Additionally, the trio will work the Jan. 1 Rose Bowl.
Here are the network’s assignments for the other three BcS games:
- Sean McDonough and Matt Millen, Jan. 1 Fiesta Bowl. As an aside, how appropriate is it that Millen will be calling a game that will almost certainly include the Big East champion? Match, meet made in heaven.
- Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden and Ron Jaworski, Jan. 3 Orange Bowl. I’m telling ya, these guys have me excited. The thing I like about these guys is they just know football, these. These guys, I’m telling ya, they may not be in the college game, but I think they -- meaning these guys -- will surprise ya.
- Brad Nessler and Todd Blackledge, Jan. 4 Sugar Bowl. Solid crew, but here’s where I would renew my plea for ESPN to lease Gus Johnson for a few days.
Each BcS bowl game will be preceded by a four-hour -- yes, four-hour -- pregame show.
And, again, Matt Millen will likely be calling the BcS game involving the Big East. I love the smell of irony in the morning...