Turmoil precedes Alamo’s kickoff

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — When Michigan State arrived for the Alamo Bowl, the Spartans were the ones in upheaval, embarrassed by a dormitory brawl that left 14 players suspended or dismissed.

Then Texas Tech got to town.

“It’s been a tough week for everyone,” Texas Tech interim head coach Ruffin McNeill said Friday.

For the Red Raiders, the week can’t end soon enough.

Not that the abrupt and unseemly firing of Mike Leach will fade away today when Texas Tech (8-4) plays Michigan State in the Alamo Bowl.

But caught all week in a swirl of commotion over Leach’s dismissal, the Red Raiders are craving a distraction.

“All the controversy has taken away from the players,” McNeill said. “I’m ready for the game to get here.”

The Spartans (6-6) could use one, too, eager to get rid of the cloud hanging over their own program. Nine Michigan State players face charges of misdemeanor assault of conspiracy stemming from the Nov. 22 brawl, which began shortly after the school’s annual football awards banquet.

“I just really want to get this last win because there have been some negatives this year,” Michigan State wide receiver Blair White said. “We’re excited to get out there Saturday and bring some positives back.”

Texas Tech fired Leach on Wednesday following his alleged mistreatment of wide receiver Adam James.

Leach said he will “pursue all available legal remedies” against Texas Tech.

Leach is the winningest football coach in Texas Tech history. In the wake of the firing, Leach’s former staff say they want to remain with the Red Raiders and have been careful not to publicly take sides.

Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said the problems within his team and Texas Tech haven’t dampened the bowl atmosphere.

“A lot of people have the opportunity to sit at home and read newspapers and read the Internet, watch TV and those sort of things, but our players have really been focused,” he said.

McNeill, who was Texas Tech’s defensive coordinator before being named interim head coach, has lobbied to permanently replace Leach.