Imagine the sting of a long-standing rivalry finally turning against you—Michigan's faithful must be reeling after Ohio State's dominant victory. For the first time since 2019, the Buckeyes handed the Wolverines a decisive loss on the gridiron this past Saturday, and it's shaking up more than just the standings.
That thrilling 27-9 win propelled the undefeated Ohio State Buckeyes one giant leap closer to repeating as national champions. Now, they're set to clash with the equally perfect Indiana Hoosiers in the Big Ten Championship Game next Saturday—both teams boasting impressive 12-0 records. It's shaping up to be a blockbuster finale to two stellar seasons in the conference, packed with high stakes and fan frenzy. But here's the unexpected twist that's got everyone talking: Dave Portnoy, the outspoken Michigan superfan and Barstool Sports founder, has announced he's sitting out his spot on Fox's popular pregame show, Big Noon Kickoff.
For those new to college football coverage, Big Noon Kickoff is Fox Sports' lively Saturday morning program that dives into game previews, expert analysis, and a bit of banter—think of it as the ultimate tailgate party on TV. Portnoy, who's embraced his 'Michigan Man' persona, just wrapped his debut season as a regular contributor to the crew. This gig is part of a fresh collaboration between Fox Sports and Barstool Sports that kicked off this year, blending traditional sports media with Barstool's edgy, fan-driven vibe.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) right after the Ohio State-Michigan showdown, Portnoy laid it out plainly: "I would like to announce that I will not be at the Big 10 championship with @BNKonFOX. Good luck to all the teams involved." (You can check out the original tweet here: https://twitter.com/stoolpresidente/status/1994870989310890180?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw). It's a short and sweet statement, but it packs a punch, especially coming from someone who's been a fixture on the show.
Now, let's unpack this a bit—because not everything is as straightforward as it seems, and this is the part most people miss. First off, it's totally plausible that Portnoy wasn't slated for the Big Noon Kickoff broadcast in the first place. Throughout the season, he hasn't appeared on every episode; for instance, he was absent during the high-profile Week 11 matchup between Ohio State and Penn State. Portnoy even hinted back then that Big Ten officials might have preferred he stay sidelined for that game (more on that here: https://awfulannouncing.com/fox/dave-portnoy-big-ten-fox-benching-big-noon-kickoff-week-11.html). Could the same reluctance from the conference be at play for this championship spectacle? After all, with Michigan out of the picture, his passionate Wolverines bias might not fit the neutral tone they're aiming for.
But here's where it gets controversial: Is this decision purely logistical, or does it smack of sour grapes from a die-hard Michigan supporter? The Big Ten Championship isn't tipping off until 8:00 p.m. ET, and the day's slate is light on other matchups—meaning the pregame show might not need its full roster of personalities. Without Michigan in the mix, Portnoy's unique energy could feel out of place, like bringing a rival's cheerleader to your own victory parade. For beginners, think of it this way: College football rivalries like Ohio State vs. Michigan are legendary, often fueling lifelong loyalties and heated debates that spill over into media coverage.
Adding another layer, the official Big Noon Kickoff account actually reposted Portnoy's announcement, which smells like classic Barstool-style hype. Barstool thrives on stirring the pot—remember their viral livestreams during big games that rack up millions of views? (Check out an example here: https://awfulannouncing.com/barstool/dave-portnoy-tate-ohio-state-michigan-livestream.html). This could just be a clever ploy to drum up excitement for the championship, turning a non-story into clickable gold without any real drama behind the scenes.
Credit for the original scoop goes to Barstool Sports, and you can read more about Portnoy's Fox partnership here: https://awfulannouncing.com/barstool/dave-portnoy-confirms-fox-sports-partnership.html. Or dive into his season appearances: https://awfulannouncing.com/fox/dave-portnoy-big-cat-big-noon-kickoff.html.
So, what do you think—is Portnoy's absence a smart move to avoid awkwardness, or is the Big Ten pulling strings to keep things drama-free? Could this signal deeper tensions in the Fox-Barstool deal? Drop your takes in the comments below; I'd love to hear if you're Team Buckeyes, Hoosiers, or still rooting for a Michigan comeback story. Let's keep the conversation going!
