Ohio State Fans Upset Over Dave Portnoy Joining ‘Big Noon Kickoff’

After winning the national title last season—just a year after Michigan’s championship—the Ohio State Buckeyes were riding high. Their title came despite a narrow 13-10 loss to Michigan, a defeat that critics and Michigan supporters, like Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, used to taunt the team and its fans relentlessly.

Now, Buckeye Nation is reeling again following news that Portnoy, a proud Michigan alum and vocal Wolverine supporter, will be joining FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff this fall. In addition to Portnoy, the show already includes former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer, Heisman winners Mark Ingram and Matt Leinart, former Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn, and host Rob Stone.

Portnoy’s inclusion in the lineup sparked widespread frustration from Ohio State fans across social media, particularly on X (formerly Twitter). Many expressed their dismay and joked about alternative Saturday morning plans.

“Don’t know how to handle this,” the fan account BuckeyeMob posted.
“Guess I’ll be scrolling through FanDuel checking my bets,” another user chimed in.
“For Ohio State fans, it’s McAfee all the way,” someone said, referencing ESPN’s College GameDay personality Pat McAfee.
Others weren’t as diplomatic: “No pregame for me at all,” and “Might as well stab my eyes with needles,” were just some of the reactions.

Several fans joked about skipping the pregame shows altogether, opting for golfing or simply tuning in at noon when the actual games start.
“At least Desmond Howard played the game,” one comment noted, referencing the former Michigan star and current GameDay analyst, “and that’s saying something.”

This season, the two top college football pregame shows will now feature big names from both schools: Michigan legend Desmond Howard and Ohio State alum Kirk Herbstreit on ESPN, and now Meyer and Portnoy on FOX. For Buckeye fans, that’s a tough pill to swallow.