HOUSTON – There wasn’t much to like about the Detroit Tigers’ game against the Astros on Sunday, but Bally Sports at least brought Michigan fans some joy by trolling a former Ohio State quarterback.
C.J. Stroud, the star QB for the Houston Texans, attended the game at Minute Maid Park, which the Tigers lost 4-1 after nearly getting no-hit by Ronel Blanco.
Stroud is coming off an excellent rookie season, during which he passed for 4,108 yards and 23 touchdowns, with only five interceptions. He made the Pro Bowl and earned Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.
But those aren’t the stats we care about here in Michigan -- and Bally Sports Detroit is well aware. When they showed Stroud during the bottom of the fifth inning, they did so with a graphic that said, “2023 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year -- Career: 0-2 vs. Michigan at Ohio State.”
Stroud put up video game numbers while at Ohio State, but he was also the first Buckeye quarterback to lose to the Wolverines since 2011. The following year, Ohio State lost to Michigan at home for the first time since 2000.
Was it Stroud’s fault that Ohio State lost those games? Absolutely not. He put up some huge stats against great Michigan defenses. And don’t forget he was sick, it was snowy, and the sun was in his eyes.
But hey, 0-2 is 0-2, and Michigan fans suffered long enough at the hands of the Buckeyes to not enjoy this winning streak.