Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy sharply criticized Ohio State head coach Ryan Day following the Buckeyes' 30-18 upset loss to an unranked USC team on Saturday. Portnoy, a vocal supporter of Michigan, declared on X that "Ryan Day is trash" and accused him of "torpedoing the program."
In a video accompanying his post, Portnoy, wearing Michigan apparel, expressed his dismay watching USC dominate Ohio State. "Look at this, they’re going bananas at the Coliseum," Portnoy said, referencing the crowd's reaction. He questioned Day's coaching ability, particularly in the absence of starting quarterback Julian Sayin due to injury. "For the billionth time, he poops himself, he pees on the leg," Portnoy stated, criticizing Day's performance under pressure.
Portnoy also took aim at USC head coach Lincoln Riley, calling him "soft as marshmallow" and noting that the Trojans "don’t have a top-five win since he’s been there." He asserted that USC "steamroll[s] you guys. They embarrass you guys. They punch you in the mouth, watch you bleed."
This public criticism is part of an ongoing feud between Portnoy and Day. Portnoy has previously claimed that Day was instrumental in his removal from Fox Sports' "Big Noon Kickoff" program.
Ohio State, without their injured quarterback, struggled offensively, trailing by 11 points after the first quarter and 18 points midway through the third. Backup quarterback Luke Fahey managed 260 passing yards and one touchdown in the game. Portnoy, who stated his desire for both Ohio State and Michigan to perform well due to the rivalry's significance, found the Buckeyes' performance "disgusting."
"Ryan Day has no answer for the billionth time in a big game, and this isn’t even really a big game because USC stinks," Portnoy commented. "It actually makes me sick to see Ohio State go to the softest team in the country and get bullied like that."
The Buckeyes will look to rebound in their upcoming schedule, with Oregon next on the docket before their anticipated matchup with Michigan.