Barstool Pick Em – Week 11: WE'RE FISHING FOR THE BIG ONE

Podcast: Barstool Pick Em
Date: November 6, 2025
Hosts: Dan “Big Cat” Katz, Dave “El Pres” Portnoy, Rico Bosco

Episode Overview

In this week’s episode, the crew dives into Week 11 of the college football season, touching on everything from the latest College Football Playoff rankings to wild gambling swings, big wins, and personal gripes within the Barstool universe. The tone is signature Barstool—chaotic, combative, and loaded with inside jokes. Along with their college football picks, the guys go off on tangents about bad beats, seafood preferences, and personal gambling heartbreaks, ensuring plenty of entertainment for both die-hard fans and casual listeners.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. State of the Show & Viewership

• Football Content Trends: Discussion on the yearly trend of football content starting strong and dipping toward the end of the season. All agree that despite this, “Pick Em” remains in line with years past in terms of numbers and enthusiasm.
• Show Longevity: Rico expresses frustration with rumors that “Pick Em” could end, reinforcing his commitment to college football coverage.

2. Gamblers' Lament: Big Wins, Bad Beats, and Jealousy (13:49–22:55)

• Jerry’s Huge Parlay Win:
  • Jerry (a Barstool personality) hit a massive parlay, netting $90k, and this becomes a lightning rod for jealousy and banter.
  • Dave on Jerry: “I fucking hate him. When I come back to earth, I want to come back, die—I fucking hate him.” (14:09)
• Jealousy Confessions:
  • Rico tries to play it cool but admits, “Yeah, it would have been unbelievable.” (20:56)
  • Dave is honest about being infuriated by Jerry’s luck: “Nobody deserves it less than him. Maybe Mincy.” (15:45)
• Parlays and Tax Woes:
  • Discussion about how the IRS immediately taxes crazy-long parlays, even if the bettor is down for the year. Dan: “I’m down on the season and I still got taxed.” (18:09)
• Feature Wish List:
  • Jerry proposes that sportsbooks enable a “tip the cap” feature so people can tip winning bet originators—a suggestion met with a mix of scorn and admiration.

3. College Football Playoff Rankings & Hypotheticals (23:03–26:55)

• ACC in Trouble:
  • Rico notes that the ACC has slim playoff chances, especially with Virginia ranked so low.
• Texas vs. Notre Dame Hypothetical:
  • Extended debate on potential resumes if both finish strong, and whether Texas deserves a spot over Notre Dame. Dan insists on context: “You’re just doing Texas and Notre Dame in a vacuum…” (23:53)
• Notre Dame’s Ranking:
  • Dan thinks Notre Dame is a bit high compared to Texas, Oklahoma, and Miami: “I thought [Notre Dame] was a little too high… like the games should matter, but we already knew they don’t.” (25:56)
• SMU Celebrity Sightings:
  • Minor mystery about why Christopher McDonald (Shooter McGavin) was at an SMU game yields brief, comedic investigative effort.

4. Fresh Fish Tangent (40:13–51:50)

• Dave’s Fishing Adventure:
  • Dave shares trials and tribulations from a fishing trip in the Keys, including seasickness and struggles to source fresh fish locally.
  • Memorable Description:
    “I always say I like to be on the water, but not on the water.” (41:49)
• Defining "Fish":
  • Extended humorous argument about what counts as a “fish,” with Rico naming lobsters, clams, and mussels among his “favorite fish.”
  • Dave sets him straight: “Lobster is not a fish.” (44:25)
  • Rico ends up admitting: “Maybe that’s my New Year’s resolution—get more into fish.” (48:44)
• Rico’s Childish Eating Habits:
  • Jack jabs: “He’s a chicken tenders and french fries guy. Child. Child.” (50:09)
  • Rico, defending himself: “No, I like crab…” (50:17)

5. College Football Picks & Standings (30:15–67:54)

Current Standings

• Dan & Dave: Tied at 51.9%
• Rico: 41.7%
  • “It’s been a bad year… it’s a low bar.” – Rico (30:31)

Game Picks with Commentary

• BYU at Texas Tech (52.5 O/U):

  • Dan: Texas Tech -10 (34:32)
    “Texas Tech defense is the best unit on the field…”
  • Dave: BYU +10: “I’m basically the King of Provo…” (35:24)
  • Rico: BYU +10 and Over 52.5 (35:45)

• Georgia at Mississippi State (8.5, O/U 57.5):

  • All three take Mississippi State +8.5, citing Georgia’s lack of juggernaut dominance and MSU’s strong ATS record (53:03).

• LSU at Alabama (Bama -10, O/U 49.5):

  • Clean sweep for Bama -10 (54:47)

• Oregon at Iowa (Iowa +6.5, O/U 40.5):

  • Dave: Conflicted. He pre-bet Iowa as his “100 star play” but is now second-guessing.
    “I feel like they’re going to get blown out… I hate how much I like them.” (56:04)
  • Dan: Tailed Dave, also takes Iowa +6.5 and the over (57:44)
  • Rico: Takes the Over (57:16)

• Texas A&M at Mizzou (Mizzou +7, O/U 48.5):

  • All three take Texas A&M -7, citing speed, explosiveness, and Mizzou’s inability to win when stepping up in class (58:07)

Additional Card Picks

• Dan throws in several “gross” picks, including Wake Forest +7 at Virginia, Memphis -4.5 (Friday), UConn +9.5, and BC +10.5 (61:58).
• Rico adds Memphis/Tulane over, SMU -10.5, Duke/UConn over, Wake/Virginia over, Clemson -2.5, Utah State -9.5, and UCLA -1.5.
• Dave keeps his card small due to hating the slate: MSU, BYU, Iowa, and UNC -7.5.

Mortal Lock Picks (Best Bets)

• Dan: Houston -1.5 at UCF (64:07)
• Dave: UNC -7.5 vs. Stanford (66:03)
• Rico: UNLV -4.5 vs. Colorado State (66:09)
• Jack: Georgia -8.5 vs. MSU
• Bryson: Indiana/Penn State over 48.5, Ebo: Washington -11.5 vs. Wisco

6. Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Jerry’s Parlay Luck:
  • “I haven’t won a parlay all season, and my parlays aren’t that difficult to get to.” – Dave (19:27)
• On Gambling Karma:
  • “Every now and then, one will happen where I’m like, maybe you have learned something with this whole thing. Maybe you have learned something.” – Dan (06:30)
• On Fish (Defying All Logic):
  • “My favorite fish is lobster.” – Rico (44:48)
  • “Nobody says their favorite fish is cod.” – Dave (48:12)
• On College Rankings Debates:
  • “With the hypothetical that we’re discussing, we don’t know what the rest of—like, you’re just doing Texas and Notre Dame in a vacuum.” – Dan (23:53)

Notable Segments & Timestamps

• [13:49] — Jerry’s big win and Dave’s parlay envy
• [22:55] — College Football Playoff rankings & hypothetical debates
• [40:13] — Dave’s fishing misadventure and “what counts as a fish” debate
• [53:03] — Picks for Mississippi State vs. Georgia and “bad beat” talk
• [54:47] — LSU vs. Bama breakdown
• [55:48] — Oregon vs. Iowa confusion and pre-bet regret
• [61:58] — Dan’s “gross” card selections
• [66:09] — Mortal Lock segment

Tone & Atmosphere

True to form, this week’s 'Pick Em' episode is a riot of gambling bravado, lighthearted arguing, and the group’s unique blend of inside jokes and rivalry-fueled banter. From bad beats to bizarre tangents (seafood, anyone?), the episode delivers all the unpredictability and camaraderie fans expect.

Perfect For:

• Fans looking for college football betting picks with personality
• Listeners who enjoy behind-the-scenes Barstool lore
• Anyone who wants to laugh at the absurdity of gambling wins and losses, peppered with snark and self-deprecation

Next Up:
Dan and Dave will be at Mississippi State this weekend. “Come see us, it’s going to be awesome.” (52:50)