Slip of the tongue by TCU player gets Spartans' attention 

Slip of the tongue by TCU player gets Spartans' attention

Dec 28, 2012 (Menafn - Fort Worth Star-Telegram - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Gary Patterson famously reads daily clippings about his team and his opponent. He's mentioned it often over the years and again this morning during his Buffalo Wild Wings press conference at the JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort and Spa.

He read something that raised an eyebrow early this morning and addressed it early during his remarks.

TCU receiver Brandon Carter was quoted in a story posted on www.mlive.com, a Michigan news site, referring to Michigan State as Michigan.

The reporter, Mike Griffith, then asked MSU linebacker Denicos Allen what he thought of Carter's slip of the tongue.

"They called us Michigan?" Denicos was quoted as saying. "Aw man, that's the biggest mistake, they don't understand."

Patterson tried to diffuse the situation without being prompted Friday morning.

"Everybody has to have something to say so we can give you something to write," Patterson said. "I was reading this morning that one of my guys ... called them Michigan, we know they're Michigan State. We got called Northwestern. If it takes me being called a name to get fired up and get my team to go play a bowl game then we probably shouldn't have came."

Griffith said he didn't think much of the exchange between the players.

"This happens every bowl game and every week of the season," he said. "A kid is going to have a slip of the tongue and Michigan State is looking for reasons to get fired up. That's part of the fun of bowl week. I don't think anyone meant any disrespect."

Stefan Stevenson, 817-390-7760

Twitter: @FollowtheFrogs

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