College football fans were tuning into their favorite preview shows ahead of kickoff and, while they were looking for key statistics and team updates, Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” had Dave Portnoy in a few segments.
Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports, has been a polarizing figure not only on TV but with his company. One college football analyst and a number of fans expressed their displeasure at Portnoy’s commentary.
CFB Fans Share Thoughts on ‘Big Noon Kickoff’ Host Dave Portnoy
Mike Farrell, college football analyst from Mike Farrell Sports, couldn’t hold back from commenting on Portnoy’s appearance.
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Farrell wrote in a social media post, “This is simply clown boy television and that’s the world we live in now.”
This is simply clown boy television and that’s the world we live in now pic.twitter.com/xBQg6roHO9
— Mike Farrell (@mfarrellsports) September 5, 2026
A fan read Farrell’s post and had some pointed comments to make, too. The fan wrote, “Why can’t there be a college football show that doesn’t pander to frat bros?”
Why can’t there be a college football show that doesn’t pander to frat bros?
— Sean (@Seanzqbf) September 5, 2026
This fan had a simple, five-word statement on social media about seeing Portnoy: “portnoy unwatchable back to espn.”
portnoy unwatchable
back to espn— WORSTnightmare🌰 (@W0rstN1temare) September 5, 2026
Another fan castigated Portnoy and also included ESPN’s Pat McAfee into the comment as well. Besides hosting “The Pat McAfee Show” on ESPN, McAfee also is part of the “College GameDay” crew before college football games.
“Seriously, McAfee & Portnoy being prominent on ESPN and Fox makes me really not even want to tune into Game Day or the Big Noon kickoff shows,” the fan wrote. “Lol I just watch the games now.”
Seriously, McAfee & Portnoy being prominent on ESPN and Fox makes me really not even want to tune into Game Day or the Big Noon kickoff shows. Lol I just watch the games now.
— EE (@EEstaris) September 5, 2026
Another fan apparently wants to avoid Portnoy and “Big Noon Kickoff” in favor of “College GameDay.” The fan wrote, “Not even the cringe of College Gameday is enough to ever watch Barstool anything.”
Not even the cringe of College Gameday is enough to ever watch Barstool anything
— Guy Seriously 🇨🇦 🏅 (@Guy_Seriously1) September 5, 2026
One college football fan made her voice heard, simply saying that she cannot stand seeing or hearing Portnoy on her TV set. “I forgot Portnoy was on Fox. Gross. He’s already starting to nonsense. I can’t stand him come on,” she wrote.
I forgot Portnoy was on Fox. Gross. He’s already starting to nonsense. I can’t stand him come on
— Lindsey🅾️❗️ (@OH_lindzbreezy) September 5, 2026
Then, this fan cannot seem to make sense of how Portnoy and McAfee became so popular in the sports world and beyond. The fan posted online, “One of the things I’ll never understand is how Pat McAfee and Dave Portnoy became popular.”
One of the things I’ll never understand is how Pat McAfee and Dave Portnoy became popular.
— Hardwood Insider🏀 (@hardwoodinsider) September 5, 2026
Finally, this fan cannot hold back and pointedly calls Portnoy a fool. Here’s what the fan posted online: “Dave Portnoy is a fool and it’s not just for his ignorant analysis on Fox. He shows no class by doing the Fox pregame show in Bloomington, Indiana wearing a Michigan hat. #IUFB.”
Dave Portnoy is a fool and it’s not just for his ignorant analysis on Fox.
He shows no class by doing the Fox pregame show in Bloomington, Indiana wearing a Michigan hat. #IUFB
— Eric Goodman (@EricGoodman) September 5, 2026
Sadly, for these college football fans, Portnoy is going to be around until this season ends and on TV sets.
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How much more hate will be fired Portnoy’s way in the coming weeks? It’s time to watch the fur fly.
