Distressed Signal

It’s game day, just before noon. I strolled through the parking lot of the Alamodome in anticipation of the Valero Alamo Bowl which features the Michigan State Spartans vs. the Texas Tech Red Raiders tonight on ESPN, 8 p.m. Central.

(The PingWi-Fi team will be reporting and tweeting live from the sidelines and blogging from the pressbox — Wi-Fi permitting — during the game, here in San Antonio.  Follow us on Twitter: @pingwifi.)

The mood? Well, eight hours before game time it seemed the fans were all tailgate and no par-tay.  But that will change, as the refreshments flow, the hours tick away and we see what Texas Tech can do without their CPO … Mike Leach, the Chief Pirate Omitted from the line up.

The pirate flags are flying, and they are not at half mast to honor their “fallen” leader … but some of them are flying upside down to symbolize the distress felt among red and black faithful.

No doubt, the Red Raider Nation has descended upon San Antonio and its famed Riverwalk .. and there is no question, everyone is a bit pensive.  How will the interim staff and players respond, in spite of the huge, self-inflicted head wound to the team — the result of an untimely firing of Leach?

There is also no shortage of Spartan green. Michigan State has had drama of its own, but like everyone else around the country, they have to be scratching their heads as they sum up Texas Tech’s surprise bowl “strategy.”

Remember This! "I am a product of 'the Mike Leach System.'"

This is afterall Leach, the “mad scientist” who put Texas Tech on “60 Minutes,” on the cover of Texas Monthly, in The New York Times. The Leach who put The Donald in Texas Tech’s corner, and most importantly the guy who put double TTs on the national radar when he drove the team to a #2 ranking last year (albeit shortlived). Ten consecutive bowl games, too!

It is anyone’s guess who will win the impending court battle between Texas Tech brass and the ousted coach.  But, as for the media soundbytes-war … well … let’s just say Texas Tech’s cotton farming heritage doesn’t appear to have prepared them for this.

It is a pity for Texas Tech and Michigan State alike that the Leach scandal has overshadowed accomplishments and changed the focus of this game.  As proof, check out the coverage and commentary on the national sports programs.  On the flip side, the new story line has probably garnered more attention than anyone expected for the  2010 Alamo Bowl.

Good luck Spartans!  Good luck Red Raiders.

Guns Up!  Know what I sayin?