The TCU Horned Frogs' football game against LSU still is three weeks away, but the war of words already has begun.
Between the coaches.
TCU coach Gary Patterson on Thursday criticized LSU coach Les Miles over the difference in disciplinary measures relating a key player on each team, USA Today is reporting.
The Horned Frogs will play the Aug. 31 opener without All-Big 12 first-team defensive end Devonte Fields. The TCU coaching staff suspended Fields two games last spring for an unspecified violation of team rules.
LSU, meanwhile, has yet to announce whether tailback Jeremy Hill will play. According to USA Today, Hill is coming off his second misdemeanor guilty plea in 18 months. He just returned from a three-month team suspension in time to start fall practice with the Tigers earlier this week.
Hill led LSU in rushing in 2012 with 755 yards and 12 touchdowns. USA Today reported that Hill violated his probation from an earlier arrest in late April.
The report said Hill punched a retreating man from behind outside a bar near the school's campus and was charged with simple battery. The Tigers football player already was on probation from a sex-related crime with a minor while he was still in high school.
Miles indicated he'll discipline Hill but has not said whether the discipline will include a suspension. The LSU coach added he left Hill's fall reinstatement up to a vote among his players after Hill spoke to them and apologized for his actions.
The team voted unanimously to reinstate Hill.
Patterson was not happy.
The Horned Frogs said he never considered allowing the team to vote on whether to suspend Fields.
"My whole team would vote Devonte to be back on the team because they all want to win," Patterson said. "That doesn't teach life lessons."
Patterson said he took the LSU player vote as a compliment toward his team.
"I'm sure if it was some kind of opponent they'd beat by 100 points, they wouldn't have a vote," he said.
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