Red State, Blue State, Bobcat, Grizzly

The annual Montana football rivalry took place this past weekend:  The University of Montana Grizzlies hosted the Montana State University Bobcats.  The game is also known as Cat/Griz.  This year, the Bobcats will be taking the Great Divide Trophy back to Bozeman with their 16-7 victory over the Griz.

Photo by Colter Nuanez. Source: www.bobcatnation.com

After the game, I saw a status update on a friend's Facebook page saying something like, "Not a very good November: Obama won and the Grizzlies lost." I don't agree with his point of view, but nevertheless his quip got me thinking about how similar the two events are.  The two events being the Presidential Election and the Cat/Griz game.

Yes, I'm comparing a football game to the election.  Here's some of my thoughts:

• The game is just as polarizing as an election.  
• There is a Red side (Grizzlies) and a Blue side (Bobcats)
• Tensions and emotions run very high as the respective November day approaches for each event.
• Many people feel as passionately about their team winning the big game as the feel about their candidate winning the election.  Or, it may be not as much about their team/candidate winning as it is about the other person/team LOSING.
• Both sides have their "news" media outlet.  The Grizzlies have eGriz while the Bobcats have Bobcat Nation.  Conservatives watch Fox News and Liberals watch MSNBC. 
• Both sides hold rallies before the big event
• Both sides release propaganda and imagery either depicting their side as better, or the other side as a loser.

Obviously, we can't take this metaphor too far or too seriously, but I think there are a few interesting comparisons.  You could even argue that the Brawl of the Wild could be accurate nomenclature for an election as well, with all the ballyhoo and rigamarole that goes along with it. What if elections were settled on the football field instead? Ok, that's a stretch and not something I would ever legitimately advocate, but it's nevertheless funny to consider. 

Quarterback Denarius McGhee took some time away from celebrating to visit with this young Grizzly fan after the game.  Photo credit to barechestcat from www.bobcatnation.com

Next up for the Bobcats is a playoff game coming up in a few weeks.  The Cats were seeded third overall and will be hosting the winner of this weekends match up between Villanova and Stoneybrook on December 1 in Bozeman. It will be a night game.  I am going to start packing my long johns now!