Republican National College Football - Bachmann and #3 Oregon

After a prolonged and needed vacation the second part in the RNCF is here.

Both are flashy and shiny. Both feature unconventional attacks on opponents. Both are backed by giant supportive bodies that have accelerated their campaigns into the forefront of public consciousness. Both are polling in the top 3. Both seem too unconventional to actually win it all but if they weather an initial battle could be hanging around until the very end.

Michelle Bachmann entered the race for the Republican nomination less than 3 months ago but has hit the ground running with the backing of Tea Party supporters and anti-Washington rhetoric despite a number of questionable statements and inaccuracies. She lacks the track record of other candidates but has come to represent a portion of America that feels unrepresented. An early win in the Iowa Straw Poll cemented her standing as a legitamate contender likely to be in the race until the end despite quotes like this:

"I find it interesting that it was back in the 1970s that the swine flu broke out under another, then under another Democrat president, Jimmy Carter. I'm not blaming this on President Obama, I just think it's an interesting coincidence," among others. 

Similarly Oregon has jumped in the fray with the traditional powers thanks to strong support from an organization, Phil Knight and Nike's backing. Knight has spent over $100 million on getting his alma mater to the forefront of college athletics, culminating in a near win in the BCS Championship game last season. Like Michele, Oregon is not without controversy, albeit paying players and not outlandish statements. A victory over #4 LSU to start the season would serve as a springboard similar to the Iowa Straw poll for Oregon and reaffirm their place among the elite until end of year matchups with Stanford and USC.