Barstool Pick Em: 2024 Championship Week (December 5, 2024)
Hosts: Dan "Big Cat," Dave "El Pres" Portnoy, Rico Bosco
Theme: Championship Week in College Football—high-stakes playoff talk, rivalry fallout, debate over who should get in, and, as always, questionable betting wisdom delivered with raucous Barstool energy.
Overview
The Pick Em crew dives into the carnage and drama of College Football Championship Week, with extended discussion over Michigan-Ohio State, playoff scenarios, rivalry wounds, and heated debates about conference representation. The hosts also touch on Barstool inside jokes, staff drama, and their own gambling records, all wrapped in sarcastic, trash-talking banter.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Gambling Standings & Contest Update
- Dan reveals standings: Dave still holds a strong 10-game lead in the Barstool Pick Em competition, making him the likely champ barring a dramatic late collapse. (01:12)
- Rico had a hot week (8-3) but the crew agrees Dave would need a huge choke for anyone to catch him.
- Betting habits: Dan laments betting every game ("I was down, like, 1 and 9 right from kickoff." - Dan, 01:48).
2. Michigan vs. Ohio State Fallout
- The group extensively breaks down the Michigan win and its effect on both programs and fanbases.
- Dave’s joy as a Michigan fan:
- “It was as on my, like, edge of my seat as I've been for a game. I just couldn't believe what I was watching.” (06:07)
- “Michigan walked into Yost... like they won the national championship. People are acting like Michigan won it all.” (03:43)
- Ohio State's missed opportunities: Key moments—goal line interception, missed field goals, and playcalling faults—are ridiculed.
- Impact on Ohio State's season: "They've had a losing season even if they win the national title.” - Dave (02:43)
- Ryan Day’s mental block: “When he plays Michigan, his brain locks up and he just pisses down his leg...” - Dan (10:15)
- Big Cat on fan reactions: Describes following Barstool personalities online post-game, watching for emotional fallout, especially "double vodka Don Ohio's Tate" (07:54).
- Tate’s heartbreak humanizes him:
- “He was like crying talking... but in a weird way it started the process of him earning his stripes with you.” - Dan to Dave (08:19)
- Michigan/Ohio State Rivalry Stakes:
- “Number one: beat Michigan. That's all that matters.” - Dave (14:17)
- The loss is described as program-breaking for Ohio State ("You broke them." - Dan, 12:50).
3. Playoff Scenarios & Selection Criteria Debates
- SEC/Big 12/ACC Playoff Debates:
- Dave argues fiercely for South Carolina’s inclusion, calling them "the hottest, best team at this moment" (17:58), though the debate is whether resume or recency/fashion should matter more.
- “As you get down the road, the argument is... who do you think is the best team right now?” - Dave (17:25)
- Dan objects: "Wins and losses should matter. If you’re one win versus three loss team, I think the one win team should get the nod.” (19:38)
- SMU Playoff Drama:
- They all agree it’s unfair SMU could be penalized for playing (and potentially losing) an extra game, echoing past USC snubs (18:16).
- Who the Crew Roots For: Despite $100K on Alabama (Dave), he insists recent performance matters more than record or head-to-head (15:14).
4. Barstool Workplace Talk
- Black Friday Promo Stats:
- Dan exposes Rico: "Rico Bosco down 40% in promotion from last year,” but also notes Rico still led the entire company in promotion numbers—"Most promotion overall." (22:03–22:13)
- Banter about "proving yourself,” with comparisons to wrestling ("That's just a hateful stat, like Vince McMahon fucking slamming him..." - Rico, 22:18)
- Inside Jokes & Staff Digs:
- Extended ribbing about "Mitzy overcompensating," Zupy’s graphics for Rico’s possible Chicago move, and whether certain Barstool personalities are “slow” or just "selfish" (24:00, 24:19).
- Lighthearted interrogation of Rico’s secrecy over a hotel recommendation for Alabama coach Nate Oats visiting NYC (28:05–30:59).
5. College Football Championship Game Previews & Picks
Mountain West: UNLV vs Boise State
- Rico: Boise -4 ("I like the way Genty runs. Built for the NFL." - 37:16)
- Dave & Dan: UNLV +4 (Home pressure and close-game logic, 38:01–39:39)
Big 12: Arizona State vs Iowa State
- All: Lean Arizona State, lauding Dillingham’s job, but Rico actually takes Iowa State for the sweep (“Campbell's a great coach...” 41:12)
SEC: Georgia vs Texas
- All take Texas -2.5, with a general feeling both teams "stink" and are spent, especially after Georgia’s overtime exhaustion (43:09).
- “Biggest frauds out there” – Dave about Georgia (42:49)
Big Ten: Penn State vs Oregon
- Rico & Dan: Oregon -3.5 ("Quack, quack, quack, quack!" - Rico, 44:56)
- Dave: Penn State +3.5 (cites emotional letdowns in unexpected big games, 45:03)
- Interesting aside: This year’s parity means “No one is immortal,” making the playoff wide open (46:00)
ACC: Clemson vs SMU
- Dave: SMU -2.5 (“I do not want Clemson in the playoffs.” - 47:36)
- Rico & Dan: Take the over (47:40)
Notable Quotes & Moments
- “It was as on my, like, edge of my seat as I've been for a game.” – Dave, on Michigan-Ohio State (06:07)
- “You've broken their entire program, period.” – Dave, on Ohio State after three straight losses to Michigan (14:51)
- “You put South Carolina in, I think they can win the whole fucking thing.” – Dave, on the playoff race (20:34)
- “I've just been, I've been zigzagging wrong on Texas all year.” – Dan, on the SEC championship (42:04)
- “Quack, quack, quack, quack!” – Rico, discussing Oregon (44:56)
- “Nobody is immortal this year. It's an unbelievable playoff.” – Rico, about the 2024 parity (46:00)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Betting Standings, Show Dynamic: 01:12–02:25
- Michigan-Ohio State Recap: 02:31–14:51
- Playoff Selection Debates: 14:58–20:56
- Barstool Promo Stats & Staff Drama: 21:39–25:20
- Picks for Championship Games: 37:16–47:54
- Barstool Banter, Staff Moves & Inside Jokes: Scattered, but heavy from 21:39–33:39
- Closing, Mortal Locks, Card Picks: 48:51–51:52
Tone & Style
- Language: Candid and heavy on inside jokes; playful, ribbing, but sharp college football insight.
- Approach: Sarcastic, over-the-top confidence paired with self-deprecating admissions of bad picks and karma.
- Energy: High, with segments veering from hardcore football nerd-out to locker-room style banter.
For New Listeners
This is a classic "Barstool Pick Em" episode: you come for the betting picks, but you stay for the banter, trash talk, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of Barstool's family dysfunction. If you want a passionate, totally biased snapshot of the college football world on Championship Week, this is it—mascots, bad beats, “mortal locks,” and all.