Herbstreit and McAfee Apologize After Wake Forest’s Rout

Wake Forest opened a commanding lead over SMU on November 14, turning the game into an awkward moment for ESPN analysts Kirk Herbstreit and Pat McAfee, who had picked the Mustangs on College GameDay. The Demon Deacons led 42-0 at halftime at Gerald J. Ford Stadium, where SMU was celebrating homecoming and Senior Day.

Herbstreit posted a lighthearted apology video on X with McAfee beside him. He said they had thought SMU, playing at home after a strong performance the previous week, could win. McAfee acknowledged that Wake Forest coach Jake Dickert had impressed them on the show that morning and joked that they should have taken that as a sign. The two praised Dickert, and McAfee brought Herbstreit’s golden retriever, Peter, into the joke, saying the dog had picked Wake Forest.

Wake Forest’s scoring included Ty Clark III’s 27-yard touchdown run, a 44-yard touchdown pass from Gio Lopez to Carlos Hernandez, and two rushing touchdowns by Lopez. SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings went 7-for-12 for 40 yards and threw an interception in the first half.

Wake Forest entered the game 8-1 and ranked No. 13 in the College Football Playoff rankings, with its only loss against Miami. Over its five preceding games, Wake Forest had scored 264 points and allowed 31. They trailed undefeated Miami by one game, and Miami held the head-to-head victory. The road win over an AP-ranked ACC opponent gave Wake Forest another result for the selection committee to consider ahead of its next rankings.