Anyone else feel frustrated listening to these two talk over the game? Seems like much is missed while they amuse each other or go off on another tangent unrelated to what's going on at the time. Herbie says the same things game to game and picks points and players to elaborate on that do not make much sense. And Mussberger is Mussberger but getting harder to listen to each game IMO.
PHONE'S RINGING -- IT'S URBAN ON THE LINE
•Football Schedule•Basketball Schedule•Forum•About•Contact
11W Poll
Buckshots
Buckshots Block
-
Ray Small Apologizes to His Coaches, Teammates and Buckeye Nation
“My former teammates were the world to me and I treated them like they were nothing.”
-
Dante Booker: What This Means
How does the commitment of 2014 Ohio star Dante Booker impact Ohio State moving forward?
-
50 Twitter Accounts Every College Football Fan Should Follow
It must be Twitter list day around here. Also: humble-bragging.
-
The 8 Most Entertaining College Football Assistant Coaches on Twitter
#KINGOFTHEHASHTAG makes the cut.
-
According to Raekwon McMillan, Urban Meyer told him that "all great athletes have huge butts."
Meyer, like Sir Mix a Lot, is apparently focused upon derrieres.
-
Ohio State Football: Now on Instagram
Proving yet again that this staff gets recruiting.
Recent Blog Posts
- So... You've Encountered an Internet Troll
- My Interview with Al Borges
- Wrestling: A Look Back at the Career of 4-time NCAA Qualifier CJ Magrum
- 2013: The WR Rotation
- The Dontre Wilson Impact
- Better know a ... Mountaineer?
- Joey Bosa = perfect OOS recruit!
- Wrestling: Stieber defeats #1 Ranked wrestler in the world at Rumble on the Rails
- Response to Johnny's "There's so much money going around, well, mostly"
- My Worst Ohio State Football Experience Ever
Active in the Forum
- Putting Faces to Names
- SuperTroll Mark May does not have OSU in his top 10
- Kyle Allen- Woah, this was fast!!
- Buckeye military promotion!
- Your top five dream OOC games?
- Chase Winovich
- Former TOSU WR Ray Small apologizes to Buckeye fans...
- 2013 Reds
- 2015 Offers/Commits *Updated 5/23*
- Goodbye, Middle Linebacking
- Quick Bits 5/23 (Dante Booker is a Buckeye!, three new offers)
- I believe I may have stumbled upon the root cause of Devin Smiths acute case of the dropsies.
- Jalen Jelks could be a steal
- team picture look-a-like threads
- Situation w/ Kitt following RB commit to Clemson?
Want to say hello?
We love hearing from you! Whether you want to work with us, discuss advertising opportunities, or pass us a hot tip, you're more than welcome to drop us a line.
ohio state radio network is the only way to listen to a game.
even when on ESPiN or ABC, Paul Keels is the man.
After Musberger called an insane scramble by TP during the USC game a "semi-athletic play" he's officially on the ignore list. idiot.
I thought they were horrible as well. Kind of like they rehearse a script and had a pre game agenda instead of reporting what they were seeing. I honestly think they even missed Gholston being knocked out and it was the video producer that chose to show Gholston down in the middle of one of their rants.
Its also nauseating to hear Muss try to sound intelligent on the game and then say "what do you think herbie". Kinda reminds me of some of these FOX News people trying to throw those softball pre rehearsed questions back and forth. SICKENING.
Musberger is starting to lose it mentally. Not being able to see numbers or call correct names. Not on the verge of Dick Stockton or Verne Lundquist yet but getting close. Hopefully he knows when to hang up the headset.
I don't think there is a better analyst then Herbstreit. Maybe he talks too much to keep Musberger from talking.
Joe Tessitore and Dave Pasch, hopefully they start moving up the ranks at ESPN/ABC. Musberger and Nessler are played out and don't even get me started on Gus-I Scream On Every Play Just To Make A 1 Yard Run Exciting-Johnson!
It's been a long time since I've seen a great pair of announcers on TV. Spiels does all right, but I may still have the scarlet-colored glasses on there.
MNF is arguably the worst because of Jaws and Gruden (I don't mind Tirico but its tough for him to get a word in edgewise sometimes). If you take a drink every time Gruden calls someone special, you may not survive the game.
Don't even get me started on Kenny Albert. Something about the voice he uses really annoys me. Its probably just me.
You can kill a fly with your slipper or a cannon. Either way, the fly dies. -Ramzy
IMO they are a thousand times better than anything the Big Ten Network has to offer. I hate watching games on BTN. If its not the announcers, it's the terrible camera coverage.
Really I dont care who calls the game I just like to watch most of the time I ignore the announcers
I think Nessler and Herbstreit would be ideal. I don't mind Blackledge, though.
Side question: Do you guys think Speilman, Joey Galloway, or Robert Smith are good commentators/co-hosts? Did you like Urban covering games?
Those who stay will be CHAMPIONS!
~Bo Schembechler
@HAIL - I really liked Urban's commentary, but his voice is abysmal for an analyst. Too much of what he says gets lost because his voice doesn't carry over the broadcast. Spiels was pretty good as well. I got a kick out of Galloway getting fined for referring to OSU as "us" on air.
I think Galloway is OSU's version of Desmond.
"Michigan and "huge mistake" are synonymous"
-Mark Titus
Minus the Heisman and Super Bowl MVP, of course. Yes, Desmond is awesome, just not an awesome analyst.
Seen the FOX pregame show yet? Erin Andrews leading with Eddie George and Joey Harrington. Might as well mute that crap.
Those who stay will be CHAMPIONS!
~Bo Schembechler
I remember 10-15 years ago (maybe longer) when the NFL experimented broadcasting games with no commentary, just crowd noise, stadium PA announcements, and limited graphics. It wasn't well received, but I think the on-screen graphics have come so far since then that it is worth another shot (and not just at pro level).
Most of the on-air "talent" detract from the game, in my opinion. Many seem to be in love with the sound of their own voices, and cleverness of their own analyses.
With few exceptions I rely on the announcers only for factual information that you can't get from just watching, much of which could be conveyed graphically.
Dave Lapham: best announcer in football. He does the color commentary for Bengals radio broadcasts, knows what he's talking about, and is absolutely the most over-the-top excited guy I've heard in a broadcast booth. He'd be terrible doing national games, since he's such a homer, but you put him on a crew doing a non-partisan game and he'd be a treat.
I like Nessler and I think Blackledge does a really solid job. Brent needs to hang it up. Herbie is alright. I'd rather hear Herbie than most I'd say.
@Hail - of those you mentioned, I genuinely like Speilman as an analyst/announcer. When he calls OSU games he has a way of being pro OSU while somehow not sounding biased against the other team if that makes any sense...He also understands the game like few others & it shows.
The world is full of kings & queens who'll blind your eyes & steal your dreams - it's heaven & hell - Ronnie James Dio.
No specifics here on who exactly but my perfect team of anouncers would be your play-by-play guy, a color guy that is exciting to a certain extent, and a x and o guy that can break down replays in quickly. I love to hear the x's and o's details during the game. Maybe like a Nessler, Blackledge/Herbie, and somebody like Ross on here that has broadcasting skills but also knows the game so well.
I like Herbie and Musberger....
Poison - Agree about Spielman, I used to HATE listening to games he called but lately he has seemed to evolve into a very good commentator. Personally I always like games that Mike Patrick called.
As far as the FOX broadcasts go...as much as I love Eddie, the pre game show is terrible. Maybe they just need more time to develop chemistry together but right now it's not very good. Gus Johnson isn't bad calling games except for the fact the he makes a getting a first down sound like the team just won the national title...he's much better as a CBB guy.
I like Herbie and Musberger just fine, but I used to love Keith Jackson and people hated him too for some reason. I honestly think a great pair would be Tirico and Herbie. I love Tirico actually and there was a game several years ago he did at the Shoe. I can't remember who his partner was in the booth or anything like that, but either came back from commercial early or Tirico that his mic wasn't live or something and the band was doing Script Ohio and Tirico said on air, God I love coming here! It wasn't sarcastic or anything like that you could tell he thoroughly enjoyed covering games at the Shoe.
He has a pretty high paying gig with MNF so I doubt we'll see him do many college games anymore, but I think he and Herbie would be a good pair.
@ hail - Spielman and Robert Smith iare pretty good. Galloway is horrendous.
Keith Jackson is one of the exceptions to my earlier comment.
I say give the Fox Pregame stuff time. Gameday wasn't the spectacle it is now from the start. I actually like Andrews and Eddie. They'll get it right. I used to really detest BTN coverage but I feel like it has improved, and I don't mind Thom Brenneman doing BTN games. He does a great job when he's doing national broadcasts. It's when he does Red's games that the guy is horrible. He's not nearly as arrogant on national broadcasts. Reds games he talks about how dumb the players are and likes to give anectdotes about Mark Grace all the time. Sometimes I'm not sure why he left Arizona.
I agree that sometimes it seems like what's happening on the field plays second fiddle to what herbie and musberger are chatting about. That Sh!t drives me nuts.
I know there's a game saturday, and my ass will be there.
Speilman was bad at first too, but he has gotten better. Galloway is where Speilman was, maybe he just needs some practice.
sometimes musberger and herbie make me mad.... i actually kind of liked them during the msu game though.
mark may wins douchebag of the year... again
For the most part the announcers have just become background noise to me. There are many who do not know the rules - a simple check of the rule book proves that. And, the producers with all the special graphics, sideline and in booth interviews, break aways to other games, etc. have found a way to nauseate any true college football fan. The no huddle, speed up offenses have generated a fast pace game, and the frill and crap that the networks try jam into their coverage detracts from the actual game. There is so much information available to the viewer (internet, split screen TV's, etc.) that we really don't need their break aways to other games. If I want to watch another team I can see it whenever I want - don't interrupt the game I am watching to show me information I can easily see on my own. Put the interviews with your "special guests" at half time, not during the game when it will cause the viewers to miss the game.
And, I actually like watching a game on BTN. The camera angles are a little off at times, but there seems to be fewer instances of what I described above. However, these distractions are on the increase there as well.
I like Speilman but i miss Keith Jackson
O H I O is the Buckeye State
Big Ten Network has come a long way. I can't stand Thom Brenneman. He hates Michigan and my Cubbies and I can't stomach his rants about them.
Those who stay will be CHAMPIONS!
~Bo Schembechler
You really think he hates the Cubs? During Reds broadcasts he almost acts like because he was an announcer in Chicago and then Arizona, like he's seen the world, he knows baseball and us Reds fans should be glad that he came back home. I don't know. I've never heard him really bash the Cubs other than the usualy comments about them this season because they are horrible this year, but I could be wrong.
He does mention the Buckeyes now and then on Reds broadcasts too so perhaps he does have a little bias toward the good guys in the rivalry lol. I'll say this, one he and Chris Welsh are calling games together it's horrible horrible TV. They argue and 1 up eachother all game long. DRIVES ME INSANE. The best Reds TV broadcasts don't have Thom that's for sure. As I said earlier though, I do enjoy Thom calling national games, he's not nearly as smug or a jackass.
I stiil like "Big Game" Brent and thought Herbie was on, especially noting how MSU's run playcalling with Bell was never going to work (even called the pass on 4th and 1 that ended up being a holding call on Howard). There was a short stretch, though, when the audio went out and I thought I was going to have to watch for a while sans sound. It was not such a terrible option.
I think Brent does work his pre-game "stories" too far into the game, though. When they're failing to touch a nerve (i.e. the connection with Bell and Columbus), he should just move on and focus on the developments on the field.
I don't mind Mussberger and Herbstreit. I really like Spielman, and he has gotten a lot better than when he first started doing games. Galloway is okay and I think in time he will be quite good. I like Robert Smith, but honestly haven't seen him on TV a whole lot over the years.
On Eddie George: I love Eddie George, but I honestly believe the guy shouldn't be doing TV, and especially not games. If you think the pregame show/halftime show on Fox is bad, you should see/hear him call games. He is on the Tennessee Titans preseason broadcast crew that airs on the local stations in Tennessee. He does the color and he's just not that good and it can be incredibly painful to listen to and watch.
I can't stand Herbie and Musberger. I like Spiels a lot. Robert Smith, not so much. Of course Keith Jackson is the man.
I don't like Spielman at all. Did nobody watch the broadcast of the Cal game? He was so blatantly trying to not be a homer with utter BS. He said that one personal foul on Cal shouldn't have been a penalty, even though it was (1) late, after the whistle and (2) was helmet-to-helmet, leading the head (like Hyde's penalty last game except was a hit to the head with a helmet). He also said a downfield holding call on Cal shouldn't have been called. Maybe he doesn't understand downfield blocking, because if a guy tries to turn and you see jersey being pulled it's a hold every time.
Yes, I can't stand Musburger or Herbstreit. Two worst announcer / analyst pair in cfb after Beth Mowins and Pam Ward. Give me Nessler & Blackledge any day of the week and twice on Sunday.
The Fox broadcast is painful to watch. Erin andrews has passed her "sell by" date. She thinks she is something really special, when in fact she isn't. I'm anxiously waiting for Eddie and the other dude to bitch slap her.
Brent and Herbie are at least entertaining. I like Nessler and Blackledge too. Their games usually are entertaining and informative.
Spiels is by far the most interesting to listen to. The dude obviously knows his shit, and it comes across crystal clear. He also has passion for the game still.
Galloway refering to OSU as us is priceless. Give that guy a Buckeye sticker! I know, not professional, but who gives a shit?
(In my above comment I do not condone violence towards women. I find it wrong and weak.)
Dream team announcers for College Football games - Gary Danielson, Herbie, with color provided by Elika..........
bring back Ron Franklin --- that guy had honey in his voice every autumn Saturday night!
"You win with people." - Woody Hayes
MNF is actually not bad right now with just Tirico and Gruden. Once Jaws left it became a lot more tolerable although the replacement refs made the games unwatchable.
Herbie is okay. I just don't like the fake "im not a homer" attempt. It would be so much better if he would just get excited when the buckeyes do something. Maybe my memory isn't great but I don't recall him get excited when Devin busted that TD. if he would just let his emotions out a bit, not quite Gus Johnson, I think he would be an awesome announcer.
Muss is a mess!
It does seem like it is scripted to a point. They will ask each other things, especially Mussberger to Herbie, that sounds like they remembered to ask a certain thing. I don't know it just gets old. I much prefer Blackledge and Nessler. Now if you could get Blackledge with Herbie the talk would be on point instead of what it is with Brent. I just could not hardly listen to them last Saturday.
Yes Squirrel, you hit on it. It is so obvious that Herbie is trying way too hard NOT to be a homer. It may be the issue. If he could let that go a little. Not to be Galloway or Desmond but just not what he tries to make it out to be.
Honestly anything that isnt on Fox/FX...that shit is AWFUL..Musberger and Herbie and pretty good to listen to..just watch a game on Fox and youll come to appreciate everyone at ESPN/ABC
Well i like college and i like football...and im gunna keep doin em both cause they make me feel good!!!
I respect Herbie for that though. He does a lot out of the booth at other schools and fundraisers etc, and he takes a beating by others for being biased toward the Buckeyes. Other guys don't hide their homerism on air and honestly, it's not good for their careers. Mark May has basically done the same thing for how long now???? Lou Holtz is just doing the ESPN thing to keep him busy in retirement so he has no aspirations for bigger and better things.
Herbie has become the face of college football. His career has skyrocketed and it's got a lot to do with him not wearing his fandom on his sleeve.
Musberger needs to hang it up and go trout fishin in Montana! Herbie's OK if he doesn't get distracted. Spielman is getting better. I like Blackledge and Nessler the best right now.
DEB II
Once you've made peace with the fact that listening to Brent is like listening to a Shakespearian actor read Dr. Seuss (read this as over-the-top, not him doing something beneath him) he's not so bad, and Herbie has never bothered me as an analyst.
"The revolution will be televised."
BT, Mark May is an ass towards other programs. All we are saying is act like you are happy OSU is doing well every now and then.
I like the SEC on CBS announcers...
As long as its not beth mowins it doesnt really bother me.
love herbie best analyst in cfb imo. and musberger is classic. i also love speils calling games he has a very intimate understanding of the game and makes defense seem so simple. i also think robert smith is pretty intellegent n he's a buckeye so im cool with him. galloway needs more time on air he sucks right now.
O'Deez330
stark county football
I hate the way Mussberger always stumbles over his own words and says the wrong thing. I don't know if I have a recent example, but he almost starts to stutter as he realizes what he says isn't accurate. And he does it fairly often - like at least once a game. Other than that, to me, he's not THAT bad, but he's not that great either.
I like Herbstreit. The only thing is, in virtually EVERY game he'll say something about one or both of the QB's about being in rhythm - e.g. "When Chad Henne gets in sync (or gets in rhythm) with his receivers...." or "____ is in sync with his passes and when he's in rhythm, watch out." Yeah, pretty much in every sport if you get in that "rhythm" or "zone" if you will, results will be good. I understand timing with routes is important, but that's obvious and doesn't need to be said every game. But I like Herbie as an analyst. He knows what he's talking about.
Herbie has the smallest balls for a buckeye! He does know his stuff but he doesn't seem to defend the bucks and their his team! Maybe he is scared of his employer
Wherever you are, there you be!
herbie clearly didnt like Tressel at the helm
O H I O is the Buckeye State
Ranting about the college football commentators is as longstanding a tradition as the game itself. Hell, my grandpa used to call him Brent Mushmouth...and grandpa died in '91!
I think it is very professional for Herbstreit to downplay his Ohio State ties when speaking on the national stage. It makes him appear more credible and less bias. Just compare his method to that of Desmond Howard who comes off as a Michigan homer all the time.
Herbie is not a homer. He has moved on, just like Bo.
What happened to Mike Patrick? I really liked his contribution on the Sunday night football staff (I believe it was) and the college games he was a part of. Keels is terrific.
I haven't seen one comment about gus johnson yet!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdXeWvucvH8
not football. but still!!
Herbstreit annoys me because he seems so anti Ohio State that he almost dislikes it.
Musberger has a great voice but i agree that he kinda loses his way sometimes.
and i think brad nessler is pretty good. and as for spielman "you imagine hitting him and wrapping.. and then he explodes into a million pieces" how can you not love that????
I like football
you'd be pissed off too if the team and state you gave your college career to had turned on you and was actiing like a bunch of shady clingy ex-girlfriends..just sayin
"Winter is coming" - Urban Meyer
I like Gus, but he just gets way to excited about normal plays. Every time a team converts a third down it sounds like he's about to bust one in his pants. If he saved that excitement for key plays he might be ok to listen to.
Mike Patrick is calling games for ESPN/ABC on Saturday afternoons. He's paired this year with Ed Cunningham.
Still don't get how some think Herbie "hates" OSU. He's doing his job and being unbiased...I would rather see an ex OSU guy be a consummate professional rather than a blabbering homerish fool like Howard.
Mike Patrick is one of my personal favorites...something about him calling night games and the energy him and his team bring.
Here is his call when TP beat Wisky in the last minute in 2008.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq-TeAG-mk4
buckeyebrowny can you explain why the team and state has turned on him? just need further clarification.
I feel like he's turned on us because he shows absolutely no bias and seems to pick against ohio state more so than for them. i could be wrong
I like football
^^^So you don't like him because "he shows no bias" meaning he is doing his job and taking emotion out of the equation thus be UNBIASED? And as far as picking against OSU...not sure where you are getting this info. How many times has he brought his kids up on the Gameday set in OSU gear? And in the instances he does pick against us, couldn't it just be that he thought the other team was better? The last year and a half that hasn't exactly been as stretch.
@buckeyebrowny How has the team turned on him? I can see how you might feel that way about the few fans that are upset with his anti-OSU bias, but the team? I personally don't mind his unbiased approach but how many times has he gone on to report on minor issues when maybe silence would have been the better option. I did get a huge amount of satisfaction when Pryor called him out,though and at the same time I am also very thankful how he single-handedly spoiled Les Miles' chance of going to ttun.