Eric Boggs
Ohio State has never been a program that fades quietly into the background, and that reality continues to define the Buckeyes’ place atop the college football landscape. Sustained excellence, national championships, and an unmistakable brand ensure that Ohio State is always part of the conversation, whether the discussion is rooted in admiration or criticism. When things do not go according to plan, especially within the context of the rivalry with Michigan, the Buckeyes inevitably become a lightning rod for outside commentary. Fortunately for Ohio State fans, the most recent chapter of that rivalry ended emphatically, with the Buckeyes defeating the Wolverines 27–9 and silencing much of the lingering noise.
Even after that result, Ohio State found itself back in the national spotlight thanks to comments from Barstool Sports founder and Michigan superfan Dave Portnoy. While at the media center during Super Bowl LX, Portnoy took aim at the Buckeyes and former Ohio State linebacker Bobby Carpenter, now a host on the BIGPLAY Sports Network. Portnoy dismissed Ohio State as “irrelevant” and went so far as to suggest Indiana had replaced the Buckeyes as Michigan’s primary rival, remarks that quickly made the rounds online.
Carpenter, caught off guard by the comments, addressed them with perspective and a clear understanding of why Ohio State so often finds itself in Portnoy’s crosshairs. He explained that shots directed at the Buckeyes are rarely accidental, noting that Ohio State’s stature guarantees attention and reaction. As Carpenter pointed out, when a program is the biggest brand in the sport, critics know that targeting it brings instant relevance. That reality, more than any single comment, underscores Ohio State’s continued position at the center of college football.
Portnoy’s long-running feud with Ohio State has extended well beyond soundbites. A Michigan alumnus and outspoken Wolverines supporter, he has used his platform to champion Michigan’s cause in the modern NIL and transfer portal era, even helping fund recruiting efforts. His disdain for Ohio State has been public and persistent, including claims that the Buckeyes barred him from attending a Week 1 matchup against Texas during FOX’s “Big Noon Kickoff.” Ohio State athletic director Ross Bjork later refuted those claims, clarifying that Portnoy was not part of FOX’s designated on-site talent group and that no ban had been issued by the university.
All of it adds yet another layer to a rivalry that never lacks intensity. The last time Michigan and Ohio State met in Columbus before this past season, the aftermath was defined by chaos, including a postgame altercation following an attempted flag planting at midfield. With revenge secured last season, the attention now shifts ahead. The next installment of The Game is set for Saturday, Nov. 28, 2026, at Ohio Stadium, where emotions will once again run high regardless of rankings or records.
As Carpenter alluded to, Ohio State controls the spotlight because of what it continues to accomplish on the field. The Buckeyes’ 66–11 record in the 2020s, highlighted by a national championship, reinforces why they remain impossible to ignore. Continued success against Michigan will only ensure that voices like Portnoy’s keep resurfacing, but for Ohio State fans, that noise is simply confirmation of what has long been true. The Buckeyes remain the standard, and as long as that is the case, the attention is not going anywhere.
