COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State is denying a report that had the entire internet calling them “soft.”
In the midst of what many view as a four-year-long temper tantrum about the weather, illness, bad luck, and sign-stealing, the Buckeyes are back in the news for something Michigan-related.
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A report surfaced on Monday claiming that Ohio State had banned Dave Portnoy from their stadium.
Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports, is one of the most outspoken Michigan fans on the planet. Some people think he’s funny. Others think he’s obnoxious. Many probably think he’s both.
But whatever people think about Portnoy, most seem to agree that banning him would have been a bit of a soft decision by Ohio State.
Now, how much can you really knock the culture of a program that’s coming off a national championship? Clearly, Ryan Day found a way to get the job done. But that playoff run wasn’t enough to completely erase the memory of his team’s fourth-straight loss to Michigan -- as a massive favorite on their home field, to boot.
Day and some of his players infamously hinted that Michigan’s first win in 2021 was because of the weather and illness. The following year, Ohio State thought they outplayed Michigan except for a few lucky big plays. In 2023, it was because Connor Stalions used to be there and Michigan had all the signs.
And last year... wait, was it the kicker’s fault? Or were they just mad about the postgame skirmish? It’s hard to keep track of it all, honestly.
Anyway, banning a man who is probably viewed by rivals as one of the most annoying Michigan fans on the planet seems like the kind of thing most programs would dream about but not actually do. According to Ohio State’s athletic director, Ohio State didn’t actually do it, either.
Athletic Director Ross Bjork told Yahoo! Sports that it was a FOX decision not to put Portnoy on the main desk, so he wouldn’t be entering the stadium.
Portnoy is supposed to be in Columbus this weekend as part of FOX’s “Big Noon Kickoff” coverage of Texas-Ohio State. He announced last month that FOX and Barstool have reached an agreement that will add him to the weekly pregame show.
Ohio State is going to be one of the best two or three teams in the country again this season, so they probably don’t care what everyone thinks. And let’s be honest: If anyone has earned a ban from the Horseshoe, it’s Portnoy.
This would seem like a bit of a weak move, though, and the rumors will probably cause a lot more people to tune into Big Noon Kickoff to see how Portnoy responds.
This controversy is hilarious. College football is so back.