Will "Redskins Rule" Or LSU/Bama Predictor Determine Election Winner?

As Americans take to the polls on this Election Day, it is interesting to consider that the outcome of the presidential race may have already been determined, depending of course on who you talk to.

A call to Governor Mitt Romney's Boston headquarters might invoke a reference to the Washington Redskins 21-13 home loss to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. According to the “Redskins Rule,” when the franchise based in our nation's capital goes down in defeat, during their final home game before Election Day, the non-incumbent party wins at the ballot box. But, if the Skins prevail, the incumbent party successfully retains their place at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

Since the Redskins relocated to Washington in 1937, this rule has played out a whopping 17 out of 18 times.

The lone exception took place in 2004, when the Green Bay Packers took down the Redskins 28-14. Despite the loss, President George W. Bush (the incumbent) won a second term, after defeating Massachusetts Senator John Kerry.

While supporters of Governor Romney are rejoicing, as a result of the Panthers win, folks at President Obama's Chicago headquarters may gleefully point to the outcome of last weekend's marquee college football attraction.

Saturday night, top ranked and defending national champion Alabama pulled off a thrilling 21-17, late-game victory over LSU. Since 1984, in seasons when LSU wins this SEC battle of heavyweights, the Republican nominee has won the presidential election. But, when the Crimson Tide triumph, the Democratic candidate is crowned champion of that year's election contest.

This phenomenon has taken place on seven consecutive occasions.

While polling data, economic numbers and national security considerations often tell the story of where an election will break, it might be easier for pundits to simply look at the world of sports for all the answers.

Or, maybe these are completely random and coincidental trends.

Either way, come Tuesday night (or later), we'll all find out for ourselves.