Barstool Pick Em – Week 2, 2025

Episode Title: RICO VS. NADU PICKS CONTEST UNLEASHES CHAOS | PICK EM WEEK 2
Date: September 3, 2025
Hosts: Dan “Big Cat” Katz, Dave “El Pres” Portnoy, Rico Bosco
Special Feature: Introduction of the “Pickoff” Picks Contest with Jeff Nadu

Brief Overview

This episode is a quintessentially chaotic, high-energy installment of Barstool Pick Em, broadcast live from Foxwoods Casino. The main focus is the evolving dynamic between the hosts as they prepare for the college football betting weekend. Key themes include their betting card strategies, sharp debates about pick consistency and bet additions, a combustible rivalry between Rico Bosco and Jeff Nadu, and the introduction of the high-stakes “Pickoff” contest. The energy is fueled by both their personal gambling philosophies and long-standing inter-personal drama, culminating in a wild, laugh-out-loud live segment.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Review of Standings and Show Chemistry

• Standings Recap:
  • Dan: 26–19
  • Dave: 7–9
  • Rico: 3–9 (self-described as a “bloodbath”)
• Fox Show Recap:
  • Initial impressions of the Foxwoods show; hosts acknowledge it’s still finding its footing but captures the “Barstooly” spirit.
  • Discussion about Rico's presence and whether he’ll stay for the season.
  • Jay Williams, a new addition, is described as “quiet on air, great during commercials.”
• Production Talk:
  • Adjusting to live television with commercials versus the unfiltered, marathon podcasts they prefer.

2. Debate Over Bet Cards and Pick Additions ("Ads")

This segment centers on a heated argument between Dan and Dave about the rules for card submissions, “ads” (added bets), and flip-flopping picks:

• Card Consistency:
  • Dave accuses Dan of giving out inconsistent picks, citing too many last-minute additions and changes.
  • Dan argues his process is authentic and relatable for most gamblers, describing his “window-to-window” play style (adding bets as the day develops).
• Rules Discussion:
  • A compromise is struck: Max of 8 “ads” and 1 flip per week for Dan, after much back-and-forth.
    • Notable Quote:
      • Dan: “You’re trying to drown me... You’re suffocating me.” (07:59)
  • Agreement on more transparency and limited “picks-of-the-week” for the listeners’ benefit.
  • Both admit to changing picks under new info later in the week.

3. Recap and Takeaways from Week 1

• Notable Games:
  • Wake Forest’s stunning loss (Rico: “Absolute disaster.” 19:47).
  • UCLA’s defensive collapse under Diaco.
  • Bama’s disastrous showing, surprising even Dan.
  • Oregon and Florida State both highlighted as having an easy path toward national title contention.
• Coaching/Player Observations:
  • Praise for standout QBs (Bryce Underwood for Michigan, John Mateer for Oklahoma).
  • Discussion about NFL coaches transitioning to college – skepticism over Bill Belichick’s fit.
  • Miami’s resurgence; crystal ball’s risky, conservative play style called out.
  • Cultural differences in game atmospheres—advocacy for more “on campus” games.

4. Game Picks and Betting Strategy

Main Games Covered (with Consensus Commentary):

• Iowa vs. Iowa State (30:00)
  • All hosts lean Iowa as a live underdog, but note the unpredictability of the rivalry.
  • Dave: “Mississippi State/Mississippi vibes: haves vs have-nots.”
• SMU vs. Baylor
  • General distrust for Baylor after a poor showing; SMU’s consistency is the edge.
• Ole Miss vs. Kentucky
  • Discussion around Kentucky’s downturn and whether “too good to be true” lines signal a trap.
  • Dan: “Some games make you uncomfortable—bet Ole Miss anyway!”
• Florida vs. USF
  • Florida hyped as a potential dark horse; USF’s unpredictability discussed.
• Michigan vs. Oklahoma
  • Much debate over the line movement; both teams have uncertain ceilings.
  • Prolonged conversation about Michigan’s new QB (Underwood) and Oklahoma’s home field advantage.

5. Host Full Cards and Mortal Lock Picks

• Each host reads off a mix of favorites, totals, and “list games.”
• Mortal locks include:
  • Dan & Rico: USC -27.5
  • Dave: Kansas (+ points, after confusion with Oregon State)

6. Pickoff Contest: Rico Bosco vs. Jeff Nadu – Chaos Ensues

• Contest Definition:
  • Weekly “skirmish”: Each picks 5 games, winner gets $1,000 per week, season winner gets $20,000.
  • If it turns physical: automatic DQ and $20,000 awarded to the other.
• On-Air Fireworks:
  • Live encounter between Rico and Nadu is tense, verging on physical (“Don’t touch me!” 52:33).
  • With prodding from Dan and Dave, rules are clarified and enforced.
  • Hilarious breakdown of the exchange, including security concerns and ongoing threats.
    • Notable Quotes:
      • “You're going to die alone!” – Rico (53:04)
      • “This is probably the last time they'll be in a room together...” – Dan (62:04)
  • VAR (video review) for the alleged “touch” by Nadu, playfully referencing soccer replay protocol.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On overzealous betting and showmanship:
  • Dan: “If that’s a crime, throw me in jail—on Saturday I wake up, get my donuts, and add 25 games.” (08:23)
• On flipping picks:
  • Dave: “Flipping a game from a loser to a winner... is better than going 4-0. It’s the best feeling.” (30:18)
• On team banter:
  • Dan: “You just got black on black... dunked on black on black.” (59:44, after a merch hat flex gone awry)
• On chaos in the room:
  • Dave: “The only time we’ve needed security is for our own people attacking each other.” (62:24)
• On podcast spectacle:
  • Dan: “I need an inner-dialogue of this poor woman who had to watch this... There’s a full-fledged brawl.” (69:09)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:16 – Standings Recap & Fox Show Talk
• 05:03 – Card Consistency Debate
• 07:47 – Host Rules Negotiation (“You’re trying to kill Gambling Dan”)
• 15:01 – “Ads” Card and Transparency Fallout
• 19:43 – Week 1 Recap (Wake Forest)
• 22:41 – General Week 1 Takeaways & Betting Philosophy
• 30:00 – Main Game Breakdowns Start (Iowa/Iowa State)
• 40:29 – Michigan/Oklahoma Preview
• 47:40 – Alabama Downfall & Social Media Discussion
• 52:32 – Chaos: Nadu Enters, On-air Fight with Rico
• 55:01 – Mortal Locks
• 57:01 – Introducing the Pickoff (Rules & Drama)
• 64:06 – Scoring Rules for Pickoff
• 68:42 – Final Laughs and Closing Thoughts

Tone & Style Attribution

• Language and Tone: Consistently irreverent, brash, locker-room banter peppered with heated exchanges, humorous jabs, and authentic vulnerability over gambling “bad beats.”
• Speaker Attribution:
  • Dan acts as both moderator and catalyst for laughs, “Gambling Dan” persona on full display.
  • Dave is the seasoned realist, pressing for integrity and order but often stirred into the chaos.
  • Rico oscillates between wounded pride, defensiveness, and classic “Ryder or Die” energy—especially in his confrontations with Nadu.
  • Jeff Nadu’s brief appearance is pure Barstool theater, ramping up tension and providing classic content fodder.

For Those Who Missed It:

This episode is essential Barstool Pick Em listening: long-standing host feuds, inside jokes, existential gambling talk, and a major, much-hyped contest launch that nearly explodes before it even begins. There’s no more transparent (or entertaining) window into the world of degenerate gambling entertainment—or the unpredictable, combustible personalities who make it must-listen every college football weekend.