Barstool Pick Em: 2025 Semifinal Preview

Podcast: Barstool Pick Em

Hosts: Big Cat (Dan), Pres (Dave), Rico Bosco

Date: January 9, 2025

Overview

In this special “Semifinal Preview” episode, Big Cat, Dave, and Rico Bosco celebrate a season milestone before diving into a chaotic and emotional recap of “Surviving Barstool.” The hosts then pivot to an in-depth look at the College Football Playoff semifinals, breaking down the key matchups: Notre Dame vs. Penn State and Ohio State vs. Texas. Candid, competitive, and comedic, this episode spotlights the emotional toll of reality TV competition, the dynamics of high-stakes sports betting, and classic Barstool banter.

Episode Highlights & Key Discussion Points

1. Rico’s Victory: Celebration & Reflections (01:24–03:12)

• Rico Bosco clinches the Pat Hill Trophy with a season pick rate of 53.9%, besting Dave's 50.2% and Big Cat's 46.3%.
• The group discusses strategy changes, Rico’s disciplined game selection, and congratulates him.
• Quote: “You finally did it.” – Dan (02:06)
• Rico’s strategy: “I try to pick winners. I picked winners at 53.” (02:17)

2. Surviving Barstool: Behind the Scenes Chaos (03:12–38:13)

a. Emotional Toll & Breakdown (03:12–13:45)

• Big Cat shares the mental exhaustion from competing: feelings of guilt, paranoia, and aftermath of betrayals.
• Dave enjoys the chaos, thrives on conflict—unlike Big Cat’s struggles.
• Notable Quote:
  “I hate, hate, hate that I shut down. I'm so mad at myself. I should have just fucking kept on playing hard all the way through the game. But I didn't.” – Dan (06:31)

b. Game Dynamics & Strategy Mishaps (13:45–22:28)

• Dave mocks “brain-dead morons” in the house, calls Kirk a “terrorist” for holding grudges (07:09, 08:31).

• Kirk’s grudge and psychological warfare become recurring topics, with Dan admitting the Newton story hit hard.

• The hosts analyze key moments: alliances, backstabbing, and why certain moves unraveled.

• Memorable Moment:
  Dan shares that therapy was “25% because of this game, 75% because the move to Chicago” (13:18).

c. Pink Wedding & Turning Points (15:14–30:27)

• Pink Wedding episode: sleep deprivation, paranoia, and chaos as central themes.
• Rico’s controversial decisions influence the flow: giving away immunity necklaces, triggering huge shifts.
• Everyone made mistakes (“Except the fucking whack job pizza boy”—Dave on himself, 21:23).
• Quote:
  “It was like the reverse of a casino...they were pumping in hatred.” – Rico (21:58)

d. Aftershocks & Hilarious WTF Moments (30:27–38:13)

• Jack observes that “95% of the time, Dan and Dave should’ve been knocked out at Pink Wedding, but Rico saved them—unintentionally!” (30:27)
• Clemmer’s “tea” comment and Biz going “independent” become inside jokes (27:33, 27:45).
• Dave’s self-awareness: “I wish I could fill movie theaters and watch people’s reactions when Rico gave me that idol.” (36:52)
• Final reflections: Dan regrets quitting, Dave cements his “Rider” status, and Rico takes incoming heat with a smile.

3. College Football Playoff Semifinal Preview (40:00–45:24)

a. Penn State vs. Notre Dame (40:12–41:47)

• Line: Notre Dame -1.5, Total: 44.5
• Rico: Likes Notre Dame, believes Freeman’s defense and Leonard’s cautious play will overcome undistinguished Penn State (“Franklin hasn’t done it yet,” 41:06)
• Dave: Picks Penn State, claims they played tougher teams (“Georgia not impressed by them. I think they stink.” 41:08)
• Dan: Sides with Notre Dame, worries about PSU’s Abdul Carter injury and Franklin’s lack of signature wins.

b. Ohio State vs. Texas (41:47–44:45)

• Line: Ohio State -6, Total: 53.5

• Dave: Fades both squads, not convinced by Ohio State’s “too easy” run, still bets Texas. Overarching take: “It’s a bad final four crop of teams.” (43:17)

• Rico: Takes Ohio State and the over, argues line is telling and Yurs’ inconsistency is worrisome.

• Dan: Likes the over, teases Texas’ volatility (“Yours is always kind of off... That fourth and 14 was incredible.” 44:14)

• Quote:
  “I’m not sold Ohio State is nearly as good as they seem.” – Dave (43:19)

c. Futures & Side Action (45:24–48:38)

• DraftKings odds: Ohio State favored heavily over either opponent if they advance, Texas a slight favorite otherwise.
• Dave’s hoops future: Puts money on Michigan; Rico, early Bama ticket (16:1).
• Comedy Moment: Dave recounts Caitlin Clark asking about his and Rico’s “complicated” relationship (“We love each other, but every couple Friday nights I come home with a black eye and a bruise,” 47:39).

4. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Rule number 1 of gambling, always bet the Over. Rule number 2, if a mascot dies the week of a big game, it’s an automatic mortal lock.” – Show opening spirit
• “He hit me where obviously it bothered me with the Newton stuff. And it is what it is.” — Dan, on Kirk’s mental game, (07:29)
• “There are apps of people who are... Will Compton moron, Taylor LaWan... Biz doesn’t have a brain cell, Whitney. These are morons.” — Dave, (08:31)
• “If you run the simulation of the pink wedding 100 times, Dave and Dan are getting knocked out 95% of them. The only reason they didn’t was because of Rico.”—Jack, (30:27)
• “You can’t play that game with a real strategy and not fuck people over and have them be pissed at you. And in the moment, I should have realized that, like, that’s the game... I’m a pussy about it, and I am mad at myself for quitting.” - Dan (29:02–29:54)
• “One of the original riders is back!” – Dave on Rico’s redemption (38:25)

Timestamps of Key Segments

• Pat Hill Trophy & Season Recap: 01:24–03:12
• Surviving Barstool: Emotional Impact & Game Breakdown: 03:12–38:13
  • Big Cat’s Victory Speech: 02:17
  • Paranoia/Post-Game Therapy: 13:18
  • Pink Wedding Chaos: 15:14–30:27
  • Final Reflections: 36:52–38:25
• College Football Semifinal Picks: 40:00–45:24
• DraftKings/Side Bets/Futures: 45:24–48:38

Tone & Takeaways

• The episode is raw and self-deprecating, with moments of therapy-level honesty and classic Barstool jabs.
• There’s a rare vulnerability as Dan admits the Surviving Barstool experience “fucked [him] up bad.”
• Dave revels in the competitive chaos, while Rico’s unintentional influence becomes the linchpin of game-altering moments.
• The show transitions seamlessly from inside jokes and emotional debrief to analytical, data-driven picks for the college football semifinals, always in true Barstool fashion: confident, combative, and wildly entertaining.