Barstool’s Brandon Walker ‘will have no problem’ checking Dave Portnoy’s Big Ten homerism

NFL analysts are raising eyebrows over whether quarterback Sam Darnold can keep up the strong performance he showed last season. After a rocky start to his career, Darnold had a solid 2023, but doubts linger about whether it was a fluke or a sign of real growth.

Editor’s Note: Quarterback consistency is a big deal in the NFL—teams and fans always want to know if a player’s breakout year is the real deal or just a flash in the pan. If Darnold stumbles, it could mean another QB shuffle for his team, but if he proves the doubters wrong, he might finally shake off his early-career struggles for good. Either way, it’s a storyline worth watching.

The Athletic just ranked the Oklahoma Sooners as one of the top five college football programs since 2000, putting them in elite company for their consistency and success over the past two decades.

Editor’s Note: For Sooners fans, this is a big nod to their program’s staying power—dominant seasons, conference titles, and playoff appearances have kept Oklahoma in the national spotlight. Even without a recent national championship, being in the top five shows how few programs have matched their level of excellence. It’s a reminder that, love ’em or hate ’em, Oklahoma has been a heavyweight for a long time.

UFC featherweight star Max Holloway pocketed the biggest compliance bonus at UFC 318, taking home $42,000 just for sticking to the promotion’s sponsorship and media rules. It’s part of the UFC’s program to compensate fighters who play by their promotional playbook—though some critics argue the amounts still pale in comparison to what athletes in other major sports earn.

Editor’s Note: While $42k sounds like a nice bonus, this story highlights the ongoing debate about fighter pay in the UFC. Compliance pay is essentially "follow-the-rules" money, not fight earnings or outside sponsorships. For fans, it’s a peek behind the curtain at how the UFC’s financial structure works—or doesn’t—for its athletes.

Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes couldn’t help but weigh in on a jaw-dropping catch at the NFL FLAG Championships—basically the youth version of pro football. While he didn’t throw the pass, Mahomes, known for his own highlight-reel plays, gave a shoutout to the young athlete who pulled off the spectacular grab.

Editor’s Note: Even NFL superstars get hyped about the next generation of talent. Mahomes’ reaction adds a fun, big-league stamp of approval to youth sports, showing how moments like these bridge the gap between aspiring players and the pros. It’s a reminder that great football—and great catches—happen at every level.

Barstool Sports personality Brandon Walker is playfully calling out his colleague Dave Portnoy’s obvious bias toward the Big Ten conference, joking that he’ll have no trouble keeping Portnoy’s fandom in check. The lighthearted jab highlights the internal dynamics at Barstool, where sports debates often blur the line between analysis and entertainment.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about college football—it’s a peek into how Barstool’s personalities lean into their quirks and rivalries to keep audiences engaged. For fans, it’s part of the appeal: these guys aren’t stiff analysts; they’re chaotic, opinionated, and unapologetically themselves. That’s why people tune in.