“Betting” is very popular in Ann Arbor right now.
Michigan State takes on Maryland this week, and the Wolverines certainly say they won’t ignore this opponent. But alumnus Tom Brady doesn’t have to do that, and he’s already thinking about Week 13, when the Buckeyes come to the Big House on Nov. 25.
Brady hosted Ohio State alum and NFL Rookie of the Year favorite CJ Stroud on his “Let’s Go!” This week’s podcast. He even bet some of his own hardware that the Wolverines would top the Buckeyes for the third straight year.
“Well, we bet,” Brady said. “So, if Ohio State wins, I don’t think…anyway. You’re going to get one of my Super Bowl rings. If Michigan beats Ohio State, then you gotta give me all your youth, all your agility, Your ability.” Your 40s and your future years in the NFL. How about it? “
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While Stroud isn’t known for his blazing speed, he has gotten better at scrambling over the years and is now faster than Brady in his prime. That would be a scary prospect for NFL opponents.
Stroud “accepted” the bet and then wisely explained why he didn’t want Brady’s jewelry.
“I’m not taking away your Super Bowl ring, Tom,” he said. “That’s yours, brother. I want one of my own.”
The Texans had the second-worst record in the league last year and are currently 5-4, ranking second in the NFL’s AFC South. That’s largely thanks to Stroud, who looked every bit the quarterback he was drafted to be: He had 2,626 passing yards, 15 touchdowns and only two incompletions.
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Of course, he’s still a long way from Brady’s 89,214 yards, 649 touchdowns and seven Super Bowls. But we all start somewhere.
Michigan and Ohio State will represent the Big Ten East for the third straight season, with Michigan beating Ohio State in the past two meetings (with Stroud starting both times for the Buckeyes). Brady seemed confident that Michigan would do it a third time, though Stroud responded to that confidence in the same vein:
“We’re full of confidence. We’re feeling great, playing our best ball in November, and that’s what you want to see,” Stroud told Brady. “Hopefully we can pull it out. We need it.
“I hate you, but I respect you.”