Arbirtrary Bowl Predictions: Alumni Face-Off- BCS Bowls

The first year Clemson graduated students was also the first year they played a football game. Coincidence?

The biggest bowl games of the college football calendar deserve the best predictions I can muster. (Too bad I'm still pretty hung over from New Year's Eve.) So I have arbitrarily chosen to pick the games based on a comparison of alumni I arbitrarily select from all the schools involved and then analyze them based on my completely subjective opinions. After all of this I probably haven't offered any useful gambling advice, but hopefully I spurred some interesting conversations.

Rose Bowl- 5pm 1/2/2012
Rose Bowl, Pasadena CA
Wisconsin Badgers vs. Oregon Ducks (-6.5)
The Alumni:

John Muir

VS.

Phil Knight

Very few match-ups have featured alumni who would probably hate each other. John Muir was an early vocal advocate for environmental issues. He was a naturalist who founded the Sierra Club and helped to preserve Yosemite and other American National Parks. The state of California chose to honor John Muir when they printed their state's commemorative quarter. If here were around today he would likely spend his time challenging major companies for their practices that harm the environment. One company the Sierra Club has clashed with is Nike, founded by Phil Knight. Knight turned a small side-business selling shoes into the world's leading producer of sporting goods and apparel. He has been a tremendous booster of the University of Oregon, getting them uniforms, equipment, and even a new basketball arena. Nike has gained a reputation for controversial business practices. Knight would doubtlessly find activists like Muir a hindrance to his business.

The Prediction: These alumni indicate very different game plans by the teams. Wisconsin will try to stay "grounded" and run the ball hoping to preserve a small lead. Meanwhile the sleek and modern style of Oregon will show in their aggressive attacking style. Over time the Ducks will find an opening and gain a lead, and the Badgers won't be able to catch up
Oregon- 48 Wisconsin- 28. 

Fiesta Bowl- 8:30pm 1/2/2012
University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale AZ
Stanford Cardinal vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys (-3.5)
The Alumni:

Herbert Hoover

VS.

T. Boone Pickens

You may not appreciate how tremendously successful both of these alumni are. Despite the common perception of Hoover as a terrible president, he actually had a fabulous career outside of his time in the Oval Office. He was a successful businessman. He organized humanitarian efforts surrounding World War I. As the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, he spearheaded a number of efforts to help modernize America. If the entire global economy didn't collapse during his time in office, we might remember Herbert Hoover in kinder terms. Similarly T. Boone Pickens has done more that just succeed at the oil business. He has become a powerful political player. He supported the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth group that attacked John Kerry's 2004 presidential campaign. Lately he has been pushing for a radical shift in American energy policy toward petroleum alternatives.

The Prediction: I foresee a game that may appear to be disappointingly low scoring, but actually is very entertaining for football purists. The teams will both play a smash-mouth style and execute sharply. The defenses will look good keep the game moving at a quick clip. Overall the Cardinal will have a more flexible attack and scratch out a few more points than the Cowboys.
Stanford -19 Oklahoma State- 13 

Sugar Bowl- 8:30pm 1/3/2012
Superdome, New Orleans LA

Michigan Wolverines (-1.5) vs. Virginia Tech Hokies
The Alumni:

President Gerald Ford

VS.

Homer Hickam

Usually when the other school can list a U.S. President as an alumnus the other school would have a hard time matching-up. In the case of Gerald Ford though, he may be a little vulnerable. After all he was never elected on a presidential ticket and he only finished out a term after Nixon's resignation. I also really admire Homer Hickam who has the inspiring story of rising from a small coal mining town to become a NASA scientist. The reason I give the edge to Ford is because he combines a notable life after graduating with a successful career as a football player when he was at Michigan.

The Prediction: You may not enjoy watching this game. Michigan will alternate between looking sharp and committing costly errors. The Hokies won't be able to capitalize on the numerous turnovers and penalties, and will only be able to keep the game close without ever really threatening.
Michigan- 20 Virginia Tech-16


Okay, in previous posts I have tried to disguise fake bowl games as the genuine article. Since this post only focuses on the BCS bowls, I knew it would be impossible to convince you some new high profile bowl had been created. So instead I have proposed an alternative game. Instead of controversially picking Michigan and Virginia Tech for the Sugar Bowl, they could have picked the two highest ranked teams eligible for BCS bowls, Boise State and Kansas State.
Aspartame Bowl- 8:30pm 1/3/2012
Superdome, New Orleans LA
Boise State Broncos (-6.5) vs. Kansas State Wildcats
The Alumni:

Frances Rogers one of the protagonists of the novel Little Lost River, attends Boise State

VS.

The hero of the film The Secret of  My Success, played by Michael J. Fox, is fresh out of Kansas State

In honor of this clearly fictional bowl, I have selected two clearly fictional characters. Now I have neither read the book or watched the movie in which these characters appear, so I cannot give much of a description. In Little Lost River the character Frances Rogers attempts to bond with another young woman after a tragedy while she transitions from high school to college at Boise State. Michael J. Fox played Brantley Foster a recent college graduate who travels from Manhattan, Kansas to Manhattan, New York. He somehow becomes a success despite a comedic plot trying to get in the way. I have to assume the KSU grad had the more impressive fictional accomplishment.

The Prediction: Boise State will start slow and stay that way. Kansas State will have an awful start, but they'll use a trick play to gain momentum. After getting their spirits lifted by a surprise score, they will coast to a win.

Kansas State-17 Boise State-12

Orange Bowl- 8:30pm 1/4/2012
Sun Life Stadium, Miami FL
West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Clemson Tigers (-3.5)
The Alumni:

Jerry West

VS.

Jonathan Hickman at a comic book convention

Jerry West was a legend on the basketball court. He is even rumored to serve as the model for the NBA logo. After his playing days he became a very successful NBA general manager. He headed up multiple championship teams and won the NBA Executive of the Year award twice. That's all pretty impressive for a kid from the banks of Cabin Creek in West Virginia. Unfortunately for Clemson the only alumnus of theirs I likes is Jonathan Hickman. He has made hit independent comic books and written for the major superhero titles. I even had the pleasure of speaking to him once. However I don't think anyone is turning his silhouette into a logo anytime soon. 

The Prediction: In a total route the Mountaineers dominate from beginning to end of this game. I would watch something else when this game is on.
West Virginia- 42 Clemson- 13

BCS Championship Game- 8:30pm 1/9/2012
Superdome, New Orleans LA
Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Louisiana State Tigers (-1)
The Alumni:

Bear Bryant

VS.

James Carville

I would have loved it if the championship game featured the most distinguished alumni, but since Harvard and Yale don't play top level football that's unlikely. Instead we have two people known for their incomprehensible accents and what they have on the top of their heads (for Bryant the famous houndstooth hat, for Carville his shiny bald dome). Paul "Bear" Bryant  is THE face of Alabama football, as a former player he came back to Tuscaloosa to coach the team. His run as the leader of the Crimson Tide remains the stuff of legend. Carville was one of the key players in Bill Clinton's political team. Since helping win Clinton the 1992 presidential election, he has become a wildly entertaining TV personality. If you need someone to come on camera and argue the liberal position, or just say something outrageous, then Carville is your man.

The Prediction: LSU will try to pull off some crazy trick plays, and will fight all the way through the game, but Alabama will demonstrate a superior execution of football basics. It will be a close game and hotly contests from start to finish, but the Crimson Tide will never be at serious risk of losing. And I don't care because I think they should not have played this game at all. 

I hope everyone enjoys the bowl season, and I hope to bring you more bowl predictions the next year I have a good idea and time to write.