There appears to be escalating tension between ESPN and “First Take” contributor Shannon Sharpe, who has issued a warning to Kirk Herbstreit following Herbstreit’s remarks regarding criticisms aimed at Ohio State head coach Ryan Day.

During Ohio State’s significant victory over Tennessee in the first round of the College Football Playoff, Herbstreit, a former Ohio State quarterback and ESPN analyst, criticized the show for its commentary about Day. In the wake of Ohio State’s fourth consecutive loss to Michigan, many suggested that Day might be fired or that his job would hinge on the team winning the national championship.

Herbstreit stated on the ESPN broadcast, “‘First Take’ wanted to fire him. They thought he was finished, so I’m eager to see what they say on Monday after this performance. They were looking for replacements. Yet here he is, still wearing his hat, still coaching.”

When the debate show returned on Monday, the hosts took their turn responding to Herbstreit. Stephen A. Smith, known for his sharp comebacks, was somewhat restrained in his reaction. He claimed he should be held accountable for the criticism toward Day, rather than others on the show, asserting he was misquoted by the college football announcers.

Meanwhile, Sharpe did not hold back when it came time for his response.

“I’m going to be a good teammate. I’ll let it slide this time. Everyone at ESPN should know that if you hadn’t taken the approach you did, I would have gone after them hard,” Sharpe remarked. “If we’re going to work together at the same network, don’t go there. Kirk, Chris Fowler, I promise you, if you ever bring up any show I’m on again with negative implications, ESPN won’t have enough executives to stop me from responding to what I want to say.

“Don’t mess with me,” he concluded.

This exchange is ambiguous, but Sharpe’s words certainly carry an underlying threat to his ESPN colleague. Fans are left to speculate whether Herbstreit will engage further in this skirmish or if it will taper off here.

Given that the discussion centers on Day, both sides will continue to analyze the Ohio State coach’s job security. The Buckeyes are set to face Oregon in the quarterfinals during the Rose Bowl Game on New Year’s Day.