The Buckeyes beat Notre Dame, 34-23, in the national title game. After the game, Herbstreit broke down into tears when talking about how inspiring this Ohio State run through the playoff was after losing to Michigan earlier in the season. That would be all well and good, except for the fact that Herbstreit played quarterback for OSU from 1989-1993.

Kirk Herbstreit reached for a tissue and got emotional when talking about the Buckeyes' win on ESPN on Monday night.

ESPN “College GameDay” personality Kirk Herbstreit won’t be making a national championship prediction. The national championship is between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Monday, Jan. 20 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit, an Ohio State alumnus, revealed that he received a text message from former Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel ahead of Monday night's title game. “He texted me today – ‘Buckeyes versus a Buckeye. What a night,'” Herbstreit said.

Look: ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit reveals why he got emotional on Sports Center following Ohio State football's national championship:

Kirk Herbstreit joined Pat McAfee and discussed Notre Dame's staying power as a college football force after national championship game defeat.

I 'll admit I'm not a big football person. I don't know a lot about the rules of the games or which teams or players are the best. I don't really want to sit outside in the freezi

The ESPN analyst believes Ohio State will challenge Notre Dame's man-to-man defense right away. How will it play out?

While speaking with NFL draft analyst Todd McShay, Herbstreit urged a major rule change in college football. Amid the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff, Herbstreit spoke on various topics in the college football world, such as NIL, the postseason and overpowering of conferences.

The Buckeyes beat the Fighting Irish 34-23 to win the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff, their first national championship since the 2014 season