Barstool Pick Em – Week 1 (August 27, 2025)
Episode: DAVE PORTNOY ADDRESSES HIS BAN FROM OHIO STATE | PICK EM WEEK 1
Overview
Barstool Pick Em is back for the college football season with Dan "Big Cat" Katz, Dave "El Pres" Portnoy, and Rico Bosco. This episode kicks off Week 1 with a blend of gambling picks, sharp banter, and college football talk—a mix that leans into the show’s trademark of “winning picks delivered with extreme (and often misplaced) confidence.” The central focus this week is Dave Portnoy’s much-discussed ban from Ohio State, along with the crew’s season outlooks, personal dynamics, and, of course, their full slate of picks for the opening weekend.
Key Topics & Discussion Points
1. Show Returns and Hosts’ Energy [01:27–06:20]
- The crew convenes on Zoom for Week 1 but promises to be in-person from Week 2 onward.
- Celebrations for Rico’s Pat Hill board victory last year and jokes about his weight loss and "defeating the Nazis" (typical Barstool flair).
- Dan boldly predicts: “I think I’m going to have my best gambling year of my life this year. I just figured it out. I’m just going to do it.” [06:05]
2. College Football Landscape & Transfer Portal Frustration [06:27–07:46]
- Rico laments how the transfer portal has destroyed program continuity: “It is frustrating…not knowing where these guys are…It doesn’t seem like guys have an identity being there three, four years.” [06:29]
- Excitement lingers for both the expanded playoff and chaos it might bring.
3. Alabama Basketball Coach Nate Oats Drama [07:47–13:22]
- The group dives into “gotcha culture” and Jack asks about Rico’s Alabama basketball fandom after Rico was “ghosted” by coach Nate Oats.
- Jim of the segment: “He loves to be like, oh, look at this…Hey, Rico, my girlfriend's going to DJ's winning bachelorette party. Can you get me in, please?” – Rico [09:05]
- Extended ribbing over how many times Rico texted Oats, which devolves into the crew making fun of Rico’s “restraint” and sympathy for his unrequited support.
- Dan’s take on respect: “I wouldn’t do that to someone I care about…just a little bit of common courtesy. He thinks he can use you…throw you to the side when it’s good for him.” [10:41]
4. Riders & Show Dynamics [14:01–14:22]
- Lighthearted debate on who’s “going for Rider of the Year” this season: Big Cat’s pushing for it; Dave bows out: “No.” [13:58]
- Rico thanks the group: “You got me back in shape. I do owe you a huge thank you. I got to fall back in love with the game.” [14:13]
5. Dave Portnoy’s Ban from Ohio State [15:52–23:08]
The Ban Explained
- Dan: “Dave, before we get to the weekend and the Heisman picks, what’s the state of you vs. OSU right now?”
- Dave details how Barstool's planned live show in Columbus was suddenly canceled after the school (and its AD) put pressure on Fox (Barstool’s TV partner): “The AD has said no. And it’s a semantics game...They hate your guts. They don’t want you here.” [16:06]
- Dave reveals he'd known for a week and a half that he was banned [17:06], describes Fox trying to “make it work,” and that the situation went viral thanks to former Ohio State players and local podcasts.
- Dave’s verdict: “They look soft, weak, and broken... It's awesome. This is called football pettiness...only a fool would believe they had nothing to do with it.” [17:32, 18:36]
- He even gets “kicked” from giving a 6am bar speech at The Library bar: “I’m happy because I don’t have to wake up at 6:00am.” [18:49]
Ohio State’s Response & Portnoy’s Take
- “What they should have said is, ‘There’s no way we’re letting this fuckin’ troll from Michigan into our stadium.’” – Dave [18:36]
- “Ohio State education ain’t no Michigan education.” – Dave needles OSU fans [20:25]
- “I just find it hilarious…You guys said it. And then you’re like, no, that’s not true.” [21:52]
Memorable Quotes
- “They have lost a lot of these early season big games. They don’t win them very often.” – Dave on OSU’s big-game struggles [30:10]
- “This is college football. This is rivalry.” [18:36]
6. National Title/Heisman Futures [14:23–15:52, 23:58–24:47]
- Dan likes Alabama 10-1 and Jeremiah Love (Notre Dame, 25-1) for the Heisman.
- Dave wants to bet on freshman Underwood to win the Heisman but laments that some states ban Heisman bets.
- Rico eyes Oregon as a long shot but leans sleeper on Iowa and Underwood for Michigan (depending on September showcase against Oklahoma).
7. Week 1 Marquee Game Picks & Debates [26:39–44:18]
Texas @ Ohio State [26:39–30:43]
- Line: OSU -1.5. Over/Under: 47.5
- Rico: Texas – “Arch delivers. A Manning in a big spot. I’ll roll with it.”
- Dave: Texas, but admits his “heart is with the Big Ten.”
- Dan: Ohio State – “Everyone’s going to bet Texas. I’m just taking the home team.” [29:19]
LSU @ Clemson [30:49–34:55]
- Rico: OVER 57.5. Admits Clemson's defense is elite but expects playmaking QBs.
- Dave: LSU +3.5 – “I like the LSU quarterback a lot more than Clemson’s.”
- Dan: LSU +3.5, fears Brian Kelly's history in opening games but trusts Nussmeier over Clubnik.
Alabama vs. Florida State (at FSU's new stadium) [35:26–38:31]
- Dan & Rico: Both on Alabama -13.5 due to defense and coaching edge; Dan is high on OC Ryan Grubb.
- Dave: FSU +13.5 – “I’m a huge Castellanos fan. I think he’s really, really good.”
Notre Dame @ Miami [39:05–41:31]
- Line: ND -2.5
- Rico & Dave: Notre Dame – Citing toughness, new QBs unsettled at Miami.
- Dan: Hesitant but agrees with ND, feels “we’re all walking into a trap.”
TCU @ UNC (Bill Belichick’s coaching debut) [41:31–44:18]
- Line: TCU -3.5
- All eyes on Belichick coaching UNC.
- Dave: North Carolina +3.5 – “This game may be the most watched game of the whole weekend.”
- Dan: North Carolina +3.5, recognizes the mystery factor.
- Rico: TCU -3.5, nervous but likes TCU’s QB and questions UNC’s linebackers.
Memorable Quotes
- “If they're stinky, it's probably the end of his [Belichick's] coaching career.” – Dave [42:59]
- “It will be. Yeah, you're right. It's a Monday night, Labor Day...Everyone's going to be watching this game.” – Dan [43:39]
8. Cards and Extra Picks [45:30–53:47]
Rico’s Card
- UTEP +6, Utah -6, South Carolina -7.5, Northwestern +5.5, Southern Miss +13.5
Dave’s Card
- Cincinnati +6.5, Western Mich +20.5, Colorado +4.5 (concern abt no Ralphie running; see 48:53), Baylor +2.5, Oregon -27.5, Iowa -38.5, A&M -24.5, USC -35, Arizona St -28.5, UCLA +6
Dan’s Card
- Virginia Tech +7.5, FAU/Maryland OVER 59.5, Wisconsin OVER 39.5, Boise -5.5, Cincy +6.5, Auburn/Baylor OVER 57.5, (and more)
9. Mortal Locks & Closing [55:49–61:33]
- Dan’s “mortal” is Toledo +9.5 v. Kentucky (Notes UK is “down” and expecting a potential MAC upset).
- Rico’s “mortal”: Wake Forest -17.5 (“They HAVE to run up the score for alumni/boosters”);
- Dave: UCLA +6 v. Utah (“Impressed by their progress last year.”)
- Ongoing banter about sourcing information, reading preview magazines, and the Notre Dame/Duke "ugly bowl" debate [41:09–41:19].
10. Show Dynamics & Upcoming Content [62:01–63:58]
- Tease for next week’s “Pickoff” guest picker, possibly in-studio or remote.
- Ongoing jokes about trust and table-turning inside the Barstool crew.
- Dan: “Jack is a necessary evil for this show because otherwise we're just going to be doing picks and putting people to sleep.” [63:56]
Notable Quotes & Moments
- On OSU Ban:
- “Only a fool would believe that’s true.” – Dave [17:32]
- “They look soft, weak, broken. And it’s awesome. This is called football pettiness.” – Dave [18:36]
- College Football Rivalry:
- “You can put up a picture and say what color it is. In college football, rivalries are going to say other answers. It’s great. I think it’s good for the rivalry.” – Dave [22:49]
- Rico’s Longevity:
- “I got to fall back in love with the game. I love getting shape. People are fucking commenting left and right.” – Rico [14:13]
- On the Transfer Portal:
- “Frustrating not knowing where these guys are…The identity of college football is tough with that.” – Rico [06:52]
- Rider of the Year Race:
- “I’m gonna compete hard for it.” – Dan [13:55]
- Pickoff Preview:
- “Jack is a necessary evil for this show…we need colleague Jack…the joker at this point.” – Dan [63:56]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- [01:27] – Show Open, Hosts Reconnect
- [06:27] – College Football Landscape & Transfer Portal
- [07:47] – Nate Oats "Ghosts" Rico Segment
- [15:52/16:06] – Dave Portnoy Discusses Ohio State Ban
- [23:58] – National Title/Heisman Futures
- [26:39] – Game-by-Game Week 1 Picks Begin (Texas/OSU, LSU/Clemson, Bama/FSU, etc.)
- [45:30] – Extended Cards: All Hosts' Picks
- [55:49] – Mortal Locks
- [62:01] – Next Week’s Pickoff Tease & Show Close
Conclusion
Pick Em Week 1 delivers the familiar blend of sharp-witted banter, digressive college football debate, and irreverent inside jokes that only Barstool can supply. The episode is highlighted by Dave’s candid breakdown of being banned by Ohio State—turning a setback into rich podcast fodder—and the trio’s on-brand mix of confident/precarious gambling advice, with plenty of memorable lines along the way. As portended, the season opener is just the beginning: “What a start to the relationship.” [22:49]