Barstool Pick Em – "NADU MAKES RICO HIS FINAL OFFER | PICK EM WEEK 3"
Date: September 10, 2025
Hosts: Dan "Big Cat" Katz, Dave Portnoy ("El Pres"), Rico Bosco
Guest: Jeff Nadu ("The Big Man on Campus")
Overview
Week 3 of Barstool Pick Em brings a volatile, emotionally charged episode centered around the explosive feud between Rico Bosco and Jeff Nadu, including a dramatic showdown over their failed pickoff contest and a potential physical fight. Classic Barstool: heated arguing, jabs, and gambling picks from the trio—plus Dave's candid admissions about the complicated loyalty dynamics on the show.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Pickoff Contest Fallout and Bosco vs. Nadu Feud
- The episode is framed by a long, tense confrontation between Bosco and Nadu over their short-lived “pickoff” gambling contest, a $20k head-to-head rivalry that combusted after Rico’s over-the-line attack on Nadu.
- Jeff Nadu joins via Zoom to declare he’s done taking the abuse ("I'm done with the bullshit. I'm done with the back and forth...with him calling me this...things I could sue his ass for...mentioning my family." – Jeff, 05:13), requesting either a physical fight or a final break.
- Repeated attempts to negotiate an apology or arrange a Barstool Rough N’ Rowdy fight collapse as Rico deflects ("I don't need the pageantry. I said let's go in the closet. It’s passed up." – Rico, 13:18) and declines any public spectacle.
- Dave repeatedly calls Rico "despicable," yet admits to liking him despite knowing "he's horrible" and "my jerk" (11:08, 18:11).
- The feud is discussed as legendary Barstool lore: "There’s two guys who are linked through infamy, through history forever. You're not going to be able to see the name Bosco without Nidu and Nadu without Bosco." – Dave, 18:10
- Final outcome: Nadu says he’s out—no more content with Rico; Dave doubts that's the last chapter.
2. Gambling, Scheduling, and Show Dynamics
- The show’s frequency (now recording on Tuesdays instead of Saturdays) is a sore spot, with Dan feeling "squeezed out" by Dave (04:26).
- Picks updates: Dan leads (38–31–2), Dave is roughly even, Bosco well below .500 (02:26).
- Brief celebration of the pickoff contest "win" quickly sours amid the feud fallout.
3. Apologies, Insults, and the Locker Room
- Rico gives half-hearted apologies ("Yeah, I’d say I was...a little over the line." – 09:31 & 10:00), recognized by Dan as insufficient.
- The crew debates the origins of the Bosco/Nadu beef, referencing the “singing cowboy” and a long memory of slights and betrayals (10:08–11:00).
- Dave and Dan discuss how "the rivalry is ratings gold," despite discomfort over recent personal lines being crossed.
4. Picks and College Football Week 3 Analysis
Georgia (-3.5) at Tennessee
- Bosco: Georgia – “Kirby Smart, 32 and 6 straight up in road games... I trust Georgia's defense.” (41:48)
- Dan: Georgia
- Dave: Tennessee – likes QB Joey Aguilar, senses upside in Vols
Miami (-17) vs USF
- Dan: Miami – "Brutal spot for USF... gauntlet of games."
- Bosco: Under 56.5 – expects Miami’s D to slow the game
- Dave: USF – “Too many points... but everything Dan said is correct.” (44:50)
Texas A&M at Notre Dame (-6.5)
- Dan: Over 49.5
- Dave: Texas A&M +7 as a "Nadu respect pick" (46:02)
- Bosco: Cautious — notes A&M QB injury but expects points
Florida at LSU (-7.5)
- Dave & Bosco: Both call it a "rat line." Reluctant picks for Florida; Dan goes with the over.
Vandy at South Carolina (-5.5)
- Dave: Vandy – “Don’t think South Carolina is that good... can win outright” (49:40)
- Dan: Initially Vandy, then flips to South Carolina for the record
- Bosco: Over
Memorable Quotes & Notable Moments
The Feud Hits Boiling Point
- “I'm done with the bullshit. I'm done with the back and forth. I'm done with the fucking interviews. I'm done with him in the same room as me...he's called me an R worder...a terrorist. What point do I have to say enough's enough.” – Jeff (05:13)
- “I think he's a despicable human...but he's my jerk.” – Dave (11:08)
- "There’s two guys who are linked through infamy, through history forever...it may drive Bosco crazy, but they are attached at the hip forever." – Dave (18:10)
Apologies and Accountability
- “And you want to apologize Rico, by the way, like you were way over the line?" – Dave (09:24)
- "Yeah, I'd say I was." – Bosco (09:31)
- "But Dan, he keeps doing it. He did it during the flight thing. He did it now." – Jeff (09:40)
- "You black out if you murder somebody. You can't be like, 'Well, I blacked out, so let's forget it.'" – Dave (09:45)
The Value of Rivalry
- "You two together is magic. There's not a single number...A million dollars? You wouldn't do it." – Dan (20:28)
- "No...I need the one hatred. If you take that one away, like, I'm just a zombie." – Rico (20:13)
Gambling Insights and Week 2 Recap
- Dave describes his gambling “one of the worst nights of my life.” (25:12)
- Analysis of Michigan's loss; DJ's disappointment in coaching/playcalling.
Timestamps for Important Segments
- [02:26] – Picks leaderboard, update on Week 2, intros
- [03:10-17:24] – Major showdown: Nadu’s grievances, request for a fight, discussion, and partial apology
- [11:08] – Dave’s famous “he’s my jerk” admission about Rico
- [17:39] – Nadu exits; Dave’s reflection on the feud’s legacy
- [19:01] – Discussion of Bosco’s “smirk” and the “pageantry” excuse
- [21:00-23:41] – Bosco discusses if he’d ever fight Nadu for $1,000,000+; Dave & Dan analyze Bosco’s psyche
- [24:57] – Gambling cave stories and Michigan recap
- [29:32] – Lane Kiffin apologizes to gamblers for a last-minute field goal
- [31:47] – Dan previews upcoming Big Noon Kickoff at Northwestern
- [41:31] – Begin deep-dive picks for Week 3
- [57:39] – Mortal locks and conclusion of picks
Tone and Style Highlights
- The crew showcases classic Barstool banter—sarcastic, combative, irreverent.
- Hostility between Nadu and Bosco is raw and unresolved, undercut by Dan and Dave’s tendency to seek both drama and entertainment value.
- Despite toxic antics, the gambling talk is sharp, full of both insight and self-deprecating humor.
Conclusion
This episode is Barstool at its most chaotic—half sports gambling podcast, half reality-show grudge match. The Nadu/Bosco rivalry reaches a new low, threatening to end their on-air partnership for good, as Dan and Dave try to keep the show focused on Week 3 college football. Long story short: you come for the picks, you stay for the car-crash drama.
Notable Quotes at a Glance
- "I'm done with the bullshit...I've never went low. He has called me an R worder. He's called me a racist. He's called me a terrorist." – Jeff, 05:13
- "There’s two guys who are linked...through infamy, through history forever." – Dave, 18:10
- "No. I need the one hatred I’ve get. I’ve buried hatchets left and right. He’s become life—your final boss." – Rico, 20:13
- "In what possible universe do you think good content is asking Big 12 coach on a whiteboard to write a blob set?" – Dave on Bosco's media day idea, 37:38
For First-Timers
Even without listening, this summary gives you the dramatic arc, key picks, and most outrageous moments from Barstool Pick Em Week 3. Expect fireworks, sports hot takes, and the kind of outrageous personal drama few podcasts can match.
