Mike McCarthy, a 1986 MSU alumnus and Austin, Texas native, arrived to the Alamodome’s Lot C at about 1:30 p.m. and immediately found some Spartan camaraderie.

“Everybody’s a friend who’s a Spartan,” McCarthy said. “We just drove up and we started talking to these guys and they said, ‘Hey, pitch your stuff here and tailgate with us,’ and we did that. I’ve never met any of these other guys in my life. We had nine people with us, including four people that are unfortunately Red Raiders fans.”

McCarthy said the last MSU football game he attended was the 2003 Alamo Bowl, a 17-0 loss to Nebraska.

“When I get a chance to see them play, it’s exciting because I don’t get a chance to get up to Michigan that often,” McCarthy said. “When they’re in the area, we definitely want to go see them.”

Spartan supporters didn’t seem too bothered by the suspension of multiple players, including starters B.J. Cunningham, Mark Dell and Chris L. Rucker, for the bowl game. Instead, everyone was enjoying the beautiful weather: 55 degrees and sunny.

For those from far away, such as Huntington Beach, Calif., native Craig Rowley, the suspensions wouldn’t have made a difference.

“I already bought the tickets before the suspensions (were announced), but it wouldn’t have changed it,” said Rowley, a 1983 MSU alumnus. “They’ll still play hard. The guys that are here will play hard, coach will get them ready.”

But with such a large pro-Texas Tech tailgate crowd, the biggest topic of discussion was the firing of Red Raiders head coach Mike Leach on Wednesday. The pro-Leach support was overwhelming, as evidenced by all the pirate shirts, signs, flags and eyepatches — a tribute to Leach and his love of pirate paraphernalia.

Red Raiders fan and Floresville, Texas, resident Robert Stuart said most people are supporting Leach, who was fired for his treatment of wide receiver Adam James, son of ESPN analyst Craig James, while he was injured with a concussion.

“I was shocked, I was in awe,” Stuart said. “I can’t believe a coach that has been in a program for 10 years and has taken a team to a bowl game every year can on a whim be fired without any investigation and without his story coming out. They took the player’s side and the player’s dad. It has everything to do with who the player’s dad is with all this coming down.”

In regard to the game, Stuart said he had no idea MSU’s defense was so bad and expects Texas Tech to put 50 points up on the Spartans tonight. Naturally, MSU fans see it differently.

“I think Michigan State is going to have a great game today,” McCarthy said. “I think we’re going to surprise them with our defense. They’re going to come out and they’re going to be passing the ball, thinking they can exploit our defense and we’re going to see some interceptions.”

When asked what to expect tonight, Rowley simply said, “A Spartan victory, what else?”