What if the entire team on the gridiron was made up by those who rule the oval?

By Chris Lotsbom

It's the holiday season, and that means two things: college football bowl games are in full swing, and there's a two-week lull in the running world.

Sure, there are a handful of indoor meets and road races going on before Christmas and New Year's. But for the most part, things are winding down and it's time for everyone to relax, feast on some sweets, and enjoy the craziest time of year in football.

There is a way, though, to get your football and track fix at the same time. Looking ahead to the upcoming fortnight of bowl games, you might notice a few track stars returning kicks or catching passes for top 25 teams. So what if the entire team on the gridiron was made up by those who rule the oval?

Profiled below are 12 of the biggest college football bowl games this season. But instead of looking at the typical X's and O's of football, we're predicting the outcomes based on track and cross country history. Who would win on the track/trails if both teams squared off? As for the rules, there’s just one: teams are judged based on both current and former college student-athletes, with the performances of recent runners taking precedent over the achievement of alums.

Motel 6 Cactus Bowl, Phoenix, AZ, December 27

Boise State Broncos vs. Baylor Bears

With a healthy Allie Ostrander, dominant Brenna Peloquin and former NCAA champ Emma Bates, Boise State could literally run up and down the field without tiring. But Baylor has got star power unlike any program in the NCAA: think sprint idols Michael Johnson, Jeremy Wariner, and Trayvon Bromell. Plus, don't forget that Robert Griffin III was a Baylor Bear hurdler back in the day before he won the Heisman Trophy (and became QB of the lowly Cleveland Browns). Edge: Baylor.

 

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AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl, Houston, TX, December 28

Texas A&M Aggies vs. Kansas State Wildcats

These teams are full of star power. In addition to 2014 Bowerman winner Deon Lendore – an Olympic relay bronze medalist for Trinidad and Tobago – Texas A&M struck one-and-done lightning with Donavan Brazier in the 800 meters, setting a collegiate and American junior record of 1:43.55 at NCAA Outdoors this year. But when it came to the big stage and Olympic Trials, Brazier was stuck in the mud and couldn't get out of the heats. Look at Kansas State and the Wildcats’ numbers are impressive: more than two dozen Olympians and a handful of Olympic medalists. Erik Kynard took home high jump silver at the 2012 Olympics and bronze at this year's World Indoor Championships. Kynard and Kansas State gain the edge just because of their tradition of hardware.

 

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Valero Alamo Bowl, San Antonio, TX, December 29

Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. Colorado Buffaloes

A dream matchup here for distance runners, with perennial favorites squaring off. Oklahoma State has got distance alums in German Fernandez, Ryan Vail, and Shadrack Kipchirchir, with current stars Joshua Thompson, Kaela Edwards and Savannah Camacho. But Colorado counters with "Running with the Buffaloes," including the Gouchers, Culpeppers, Slatterys, Torres brothers, Jenny Simpson, Emma Coburn, Dathan Ritzenhein and the current Colorado stars, led by Erin Clark and Ben Saarel. Buffaloes storm to a big win.

 

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Hyundai Sun Bowl, El Paso, TX, December 30

Stanford Cardinal vs. North Carolina Tar Heels

This Bowl Game would be legendary if both sides were purely track and field athletes: Olympic marathoners Ryan Hall (Stanford) vs. Shalane Flanagan (UNC). Decathlon legend Bob Mathias (Stanford) vs. mile pioneer Jim Beatty (UNC). Olympic pole vaulting gold medalist Ekaterina Stefanidi (Stanford) vs. hurdler Allen Johnson (UNC). It’s star upon star on both sides.

Stanford has to get the edge recently thanks to its depth. Since the days of Chris Derrick, Stanford has stocked up with talent like Sean McGorty, Grant Fisher, Aisling Cuffe, Elise Cranny, Olivia Baker and fearless freshmen Fiona O'Keefe, Christina Aragon, Hannah DeBalsi and Ella Donaghu. Oh and don't forget Thomas Ratcliffe. Stanford football star Christian McCaffrey was last year’s Heisman runner-up, comes from a family of stars (grandfather Dave Sime was an 1960 Olympic silver medalist in the 100-meter dash and dad Ed played in the NFL for the Broncos), and is leaving college behind for a big NFL career. Look for Ratcliffe to shine like McCaffrey over the next three years. His future is bright and he comes from good heritage (dad Tom was an elite runner and now is the manager to many elite runners).

 

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Capital One Orange Bowl, Miami, FL, December 30

Michigan Wolverines vs. Florida State Seminoles

Now we're getting into the really hard-to-call big bowl games. Michigan has recent distance dominance on its side: two-time Olympic medalist Nick Willis; Canadian milers Nate Brannen, Nicole Sifuentes, and Kevin Sullivan from up north; the ever competitive Erin Finn, and recent grads Shannon Osika and Mason Ferlic. Then the Wolverines have got Olympic hurdlers Jeff Porter and Cindy Ofili, as well as Sydney McLaughlin's older brother Taylor (World Junior silver medalist). Not to mention a historic stadium (The Big House), fight song (Hail to the Victors) and football star (Tom Brady).

Florida State has more than 50 Olympians and a tradition that is also hard to match. The Seminoles have got 2011 Bowerman Award winner Ngoni Makusha, sprinters Walter Dix, Dentarius Locke, and the Borlee brothers – Jonathan and Kevin – who are Belgian Olympians.

Heck, even Deion Sanders went to Florida State and shined on the football field, track, and dance floor.

Back on the oval, the Seminoles have had one blue-chip talent after another pass through Tallahassee: Susan Kuijken, Colleen Quigley and Hannah England, just to name a few.

This one came down to a 4x400 showdown: Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh leading off before current track coaches Kevin Sullivan and Mike McGuire took over, with Ron Warhurst on the anchor. For the Seminoles, they lined up football coach Jimbo Fisher, “Primetime” himself Deion Sanders making an appearance, then track coach Bob Braman, followed by mascots Osceola and Renegade on the anchor.

Despite Florida State’s equine advantage, Michigan gets the edge in the relay and in the bowl game.

 

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Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Atlanta, GA, December 31

College Football Playoff Semifinals

Washington Huskies vs. Alabama Crimson Tide

The winner of this game advances to the College Football national title game, and it will be Washington in the upset. No one can mess with the Huskies’ success under coach Greg Metcalf, winning the 2008 NCAA Cross Country team title and producing milers like Katie (Follett) Mackey and Izaic Yorks. Washington has also got its fair share of field event stars (more on that later). For what it’s worth, Alabama's most famous track alum is Olympic gold medalist Kirani James of Grenada. The team’s mascot is an elephant, compared to the Huskies for Washington, so that holds the Tide back too.

 

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PlayStation Fiesta Bowl, Glendale, AZ, December 31

College Football Playoff Semifinals

Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Clemson Tigers

In the second College Football playoff semifinal, one particular athlete leads Ohio State to victory: Jesse Owens. Need I say more? Clemson has got Olympians like Travis Padgett and Natoya Goule (she also plays for LSU), but they don't come close to Owens’ dominance at the Berlin Games in 1936.

For what it’s worth, Clemson receiver Jacoby Ford (formerly of the Oakland Raiders) ran a wind-legal 10.01 in the 100-meter dash in college and placed second in the 2009 NCAA final behind another former receiver in Trindon Holliday of Louisiana State, who clocked a wind-legal 10.00 to edge Ford in the NCAA semifinals. Oh and Clemson also has Olympic and world champion hurdler Brianna Rollins (the former American record holder). Maybe this game will be closer than originally thought… But I’m still going with the Buckeyes, though.

 

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Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl, Orlando, FL, December 31

LSU Tigers vs. Louisville Cardinals

Another New Year's Eve bowl featuring schools with distinct track and cross country backgrounds. I'll settle this one with the first track athlete that comes to mind:

LSU: Xavier "X-Man" Carter magically won the 100-meter dash, 400, 4x100 and 4x400 titles at the 2006 NCAA Championships, the first to win all four at one meet since Jesse Owens at Ohio State in 1935-36.

Louisville: Wesley Korir, the 2012 Boston Marathon champion and 2016 Olympian, is now both a member of Parliament and a top runner. And he hails from the same alma matter as Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Lamar Jackson. Korir and Louisville get the edge over LSU. Imagine a team with Korir's tenacity and endurance combined with Jackson's swagger and quick moves. That team would be lethal.

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Outback Bowl, Tampa, FL, January 2

Florida Gators vs. Iowa Hawkeyes

Think of recent graduates who would take center stage in this matchup: Australian steeplechaser Genevieve LaCaze for Florida and half-miler Erik Sowinski for Iowa. Since LaCaze ran personal bests at six different distances in 2016, she gets the nod over Sowinski (himself an 800-meter bronze medalist at the World Indoor Championships in Portland). LaCaze is also known to rep a solid touchdown dance (YouTube: Genevieve LaCaze + Commonwealth Games Ceremony). Let’s not also forget that the Gators are the reigning NCAA men’s champions and feature play-makers Christian Taylor and Will Claye and have a new Hall of Famer at coach in Mike Holloway.

 

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Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, Arlington, TX, January 2

Western Michigan Broncos vs. Wisconsin Badgers

Western Michigan has had a record-breaking football season, going 13-0 to win the Mid-American Conference. But try to name one of Western Michigan’s track stars and it's a bit tough (sorry Broncos!). As for Wisconsin, the Badgers are endlessly producing solid teams and stars. Who is faster and stronger than Wisconsin alum J.J. Watt? How about a hybrid of Chris Solinsky and Zach Ziemek.

 

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Rose Bowl Game, Pasadena, CA, January 2

USC Trojans vs. Penn State Nittany Lions

Wow this is a tough one. Allyson Felix attended USC. Olympic shot put medalist Joe Kovacs went to Penn State. Allyson Felix graduated from USC. Horrace Ashenfelter (Olympic steeplechase champion in 1952) went to Penn State. Edge goes to USC. Can anyone from the Nittany Lions trump Allyson Felix, the most decorated American track star ever?

But really, USC has a plethora of Olympic medalists and NCAA stars to go around. Just look at Andre DeGrasse, Dalilah Muhammad, Felix Sanchez, Nia Ali, Randall Cunningham II (this year's NCAA high jump champion) and the legendary Louis Zamperini. They also had O.J. Simpson back in the day, but we'll forget about him...

 

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And finally, the College Football Playoff National Championship (Tampa, FL, January 9)

 

If the above predictions come true, then it will be Washington vs. Ohio State in the National Championship game. There is only one way to settle this: who has the best sprinter, distance runner, and field event athlete head-to-head.

Ohio State: Jesse Owens takes home sprint and jumps honors at Ohio State, winning gold in the 100-meter dash, 200 and broad jump at the memorable 1936 Olympics in Berlin. As for the Buckeyes’ top distance runner, Mel Whitfield famously won Olympic gold in the 800 and 4x400 in 1948, as well as a bronze in the 400. We'll count him as a distance runner (other distance alums for the Buckeyes include Mark Croghan, Robert Gary – coach of Furman Elite – and milers Rob Myers and Jeff See).

Washington: Well, Washington boasts great depth in the distance and field events. The Huskies’ list of recent distance runners is robust: names like Katie (Follett) Mackey, Megan Goethals, Izaic Yorks, Amy-Eloise Neale, Katie Flood, Kendra Schaaf, Mel Lawrence, etc.

In the field, Brad Walker was a pole vault superstar hailing from Seattle (both a world champion and American Record holder), and Aretha Thurmond was the 2003 discus Pan-Am gold medalist and a four-time Olympian. Recently, decathlete Jeremy Taiwo finished 11th in the Rio Olympics.

And the National Champion is… Ohio State.

Ohio State gets the sprint and field nod thanks to Owens, and we'll give Washington the distance edge because of the volume and tradition of strong harriers. With that, Ohio State will be running back to Columbus proclaimed best on the gridiron (and on the track).

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If I forgot some big names at each of the schools listed above, my sincerest apologies. Most of all, have a happy holiday and enjoy the College Football Bowl games!