When No. 1 Texas heads to Columbus to take on No. 3 Ohio State in Week 1 of college football this weekend, it will be one of the biggest games of the entire weekend.
There’s now an added narrative that involves, of all people, Barstool’s Dave Portnoy.
Portnoy, an avid Michigan fan, will be barred from Ohio Stadium, according to Front Office Sports.
The Barstool creator will be beginning a new endeavor this season as a host of Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff. Though he will be barred from the show inside, he will still be allowed to participate in the show on campus.
“Ohio State is barring Barstool Sports from campus and its founder Dave Portnoy from entering Ohio Stadium for the school’s huge opening-week matchup against Texas on Saturday, sources told Front Office Sports,” Ryan Glasspiegel reported. “Portnoy will still appear on Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff, but not for the end of the show inside the stadium, a source said.”
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Portnoy immediately took to X once the news became public, posting a photo of himself in disguise from when he attended a Patriots Super Bowl years ago after being banned by the NFL from that event.
However, where this gets downright entertaining is that former Michigan staff member Connor Stalions replied to his post.
“You need tickets?” Stalions asked.
Stalions, of course, was at the center of Michigan’s sign-stealing investigation. The former volunteer assistant, also a rabid Wolverines fan, was known to have tickets to and attend games of future Michigan opponents, disguising himself while recording team signals by video and other electronics — which is prohibited by the NCAA.
Michigan was just recently penalized by the NCAA for their actions. They received fines that could reach $30 million in total. Meanwhile, Stalions received an eight-year show-cause penalty, and former coach Jim Harbaugh got a 10-year show-cause.
As for the outspoken Portnoy, it’s unlikely he’ll let this lie for long. And once Ohio State comes to Ann Arbor in late November, there’s no telling what will happen.
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