Baker Mayfield wore a Michigan practice jersey during his Wednesday news conference as part of a bet with Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles. The wager followed the Sooners' 17-10 loss to Michigan, where Bowles' son Troy Bowles recorded nine tackles and a fumble recovery. Mayfield, who struggled with three fumbles in the season opener against the Bengals, acknowledged the loss with 'It hurts, it hurts real bad.' Jenna Laine, a former USF cheerleader covering the Bucs since 2009, reported from Tampa.

The bet required Mayfield to wear a tank top featuring the number 18, honoring Troy Bowles. Bowles enthusiastically sang Michigan's fight song during the press event, shouting 'Let's go Blue!' as Mayfield appeared. The scene highlighted both the competitive spirit of college football and the playful rapport between coach and player.

The article, published by ESPN NFL on Sep 16, 2026, reflects ongoing media coverage of the Bucs' season developments.