Smack talk dominates Patriots' locker room as college rivalry week looms

FOXBOROUGH — It’s rivalry week in college football, which means the trash talk in the Patriots’ locker room has shifted into overdrive.

Rivalry week in the New England locker room means plenty of side bets and arguments, and this year is no exception. Michigan-Ohio State, Georgia-Georgia Tech, Tennessee-Vandy, and Alabama-Auburn are all set for this week, and even though we’re still days away, there’s already plenty of discussion. For example, on Monday morning, Tom Brady boasted on WEEI that this was Michigan’s year — despite the fact that Ohio State has won the last six meetings and 13 of the last 14.

"I've lost too many years of bets to Ohio State guys, Michigan State guys,” he said. “This is our year, baby. ... They have a great chance going to the Horseshoe. I think we're going to kick their butt. We've got a great defense.”

That’s news to Ohio State product Nate Ebner, who concedes the fact the Wolverines are having a “decent year.” But that’s about all the credit he’s willing to give Michigan.

“History has kind of paved the way for what I think is going to happen this week,” Ebner told BostonSportsJournal.com on Monday, looking back at the Buckeyes’ recent run of dominance. “If you look at the last decade or so, it’s been pretty favorable to us. But this year, they’re having a decent year. They’re the favorite, I think, for the first time since 2004. But it’s fun for us. We’ll see what happens with this one.”


According to most in the locker room, the side bets usually don’t get too expensive, and things have never gone beyond some practice and locker room woofing. In year’s past, Ohio State product Mike Vrabel would make Brady wear an OSU jersey in practice when the Buckeyes would beat the Wolverines. Brady also had to wear a Michigan State shirt when he lost a wager with backup Brian Hoyer on a Michigan-Michigan State game.

“Guys will have gear available for their opponents to wear,” special teams captain Matthew Slater -- a UCLA alum who made sure to note the fact that the Bruins beat crosstown rival USC this past weekend -- told BSJ. “I think I’ve worn some Oregon gear over the years. It’s all in good fun. I always say, you can’t forget where you came from. Those schools, those experiences, they made us the men we are today. We have a lot to be thankful for.”

As far as what might happen this time around, one player suggested this week that he’ll get control of his rivals social media feed for a day or so. Ebner laughed at the idea he’d get the chance to take the wheel of Brady’s Instagram feed.

“That sounds interesting. (But) I don’t think the big dog will let me do all that when Ohio State wins,” he added. “I’ve been getting the best of him since, shit, since I’ve been in the NFL. Every year. We’ll see what happens this time. I still don’t think it’s his year this year. But we’ll see.”