Dave Portnoy issues desperate plea to Ohio State fans after they made sick threats against their own coach

Barstool Sports boss and die-hard Michigan fan Dave Portnoy has made a desperate plea to Ohio State fans ahead of Saturday's massive rivalry showdown.

In a video posted to X on Friday, Portnoy addressed the Buckeyes fanbase directly, referencing the ugly scenes that followed last year's clash where Ohio State head coach Ryan Day reportedly required security at his home.

While Portnoy is known for his relentless trolling of the Buckeyes, he put across a serious message to the rival fans - before inevitably pivoting back to trash talk.

'This rant is for Ohio State fans eyes only,' Portnoy captioned the post. 'Listen I know we’ve had our differences I know Ryan Day and I don’t get along but let’s please keep it civil after we beat you guys again. There is no place for personal threats in this one sided rivalry. Thank you.'

In the accompanying video, Portnoy highlighted the desperation in Columbus, noting that Ohio State has not defeated Michigan since 2019.

'I know tomorrow's a huge game, and I know all Ohio is desperate for a win - they haven't won once since pre-COVID. It's been what, six years?' Portnoy said.

'Like, I've given the stats: Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? was the TV show, Shakespeare in Love was the movie… you know, it was a long a** time.'

'But I want to remind Ohio State fans. Ryan Day last year, when he lost and Michigan beat the p*** out of him for the fourth straight year, he had to get extra security for his house,' Portnoy said.

'That wasn't because of Michigan fans - that was because of angry Ohio fans threatening all this s***. So let's keep it civil this year.'

Following Michigan's victory in 2024 - the Wolverines' fourth consecutive win in the series - reports emerged that Day and his family faced severe backlash from their own fanbase. 

Of course, Portnoy couldn't end the message without a final jab at his bitter rivals.

'We're gonna beat you,' he signed off. 'We're going to beat your a** like we always beat you.'

The two sides meet in Columbus on Saturday, with Day under immense pressure to finally snap the losing streak and silence his critics.

Back in November last year, with fans calling for Day to be fired, his family began receiving threats, prompting local police to provide around-the-clock protection.

'We had security at our house. School was really bad,' Day's son R.J., a high school sophomore, told The Athletic. 

'I didn't really leave the house much 'til after the Tennessee game [three weeks after the Michigan game, in the CFP first round]. 

'It was rough, but you've gotta hang on in those rough times because eventually things will turn back around again.'