As the college football season kicked off, Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy made headlines with a bold prediction that would quickly turn into a source of embarrassment. On September 3, 2026, Portnoy declared his first bet of the season, proclaiming it might be his "strongest play of the year." He confidently selected Rutgers to cover a 29.5-point spread against the University of Massachusetts (UMass), expecting a decisive victory.
In a post shared on social media, Portnoy expressed his belief in Rutgers' dominance, stating, "I made my 1st bet of college football season and it may be my strongest play of the year. Rutgers -29.5 to beat UMass by 40 plus." However, the outcome of the game would prove to be a stark contrast to his expectations.
Rutgers, entering the matchup as a heavy favorite, faced a UMass team that many analysts had predicted would struggle throughout the season. Despite these projections, UMass delivered a surprising performance, defeating Rutgers 37-21 in a game that was not as close as the final score might indicate. At one point, UMass held a commanding 30-7 lead in the third quarter, leaving Portnoy and many fans stunned.
Portnoy's confidence in Rutgers quickly turned to dismay as he watched his pick unravel. Recognizing the gravity of his miscalculation, he took to social media once again before halftime to address the situation. "Alright hand up, I gotta be a leader right now – we need more leaders in this country," he admitted in a candid video. He acknowledged his poor judgment, saying, "I gave out Rutgers as my pick of the week, -29.5. I said, ‘I think this pick is so easy, it might be the pick of the year’ – and I believed it. I put my hard-earned money on it with DraftKings."
As the game progressed, Portnoy's frustration grew. He stated, "Well, they’re down 24-7; it could be 54-7," showcasing his disbelief at Rutgers' performance. Rather than placing blame on the team or its head coach, Greg Schiano, Portnoy took full responsibility for the failed prediction, admitting, "I’m a f*cking moron, and you’ve gotta be better." His self-deprecating humor was evident as he acknowledged the potential for ridicule from the community, saying he deserved to be featured on the social media account Freezing Cold Takes for his misguided prediction.
Indeed, Freezing Cold Takes did not hesitate to highlight Portnoy's blunder, posting about it before the game even reached halftime. Portnoy reflected on the experience, calling it the "worst pick" he had ever made in his 24 years with Barstool Sports and emphasized the need for improvement as the season continued. "It’s a long football season. I’ve got to be better," he concluded.
This unexpected upset serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of college football, where even the most confident predictions can lead to surprising outcomes. As the season unfolds, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how teams like Rutgers rebound from such disappointing performances and how Portnoy navigates the challenges of sports betting in the future.
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