Being a political scientist and a sports fan, I thought it would be interesting to see if there were any political trends as to predicting a winner in the Super Bowl. For the purposes of this post, I thought I would look at the years when the United States Senate has changed hands (i.e. shift in party majority) and did that correlate to a winner in the following Super Bowl. Here’s what I found:
1980: Republicans win Senate; 1981: Oakland (AFC) defeats Philadelphia (NFC)
1986: Democrats win Senate; 1987: New York Giants (NFC) defeats Denver (AFC)
1994: Republicans win Senate; 1995: San Francisco (NFC) defeats San Diego (AFC)
2006: Democrats win Senate; 2007: Indianapolis (AFC) defeats Chicago (NFC)
2014: Republicans win Senate; 2015: ?
I hoped to find a clear correlation between the party winning the Senate and the conference winning the Super Bowl. That I did not find. However, what I do see is that when the Republicans win back the Senate, the team from the West wins the Super Bowl, while the team from east of Mississippi wins the big game when the Democrats win back the Senate in the previous year. So, in all fun and games, let’s just say that Seattle will win the Super Bowl.
Politics Matters 
Well if Seattle wins, then it would fit right in line with the other ones. Since I’m a Republican, so if we can keep control of the Senate till I die, then I guess the Bears will never win the Super Bowl while I’m alive. Which I’ll take having Republican control until then.
Never knew this, very interesting facts. In this years Super Bowl, it looks like the Seattle Seahawks will win the Super Bowl.
I never would have thought that Politics could be involved in the winnings of a Super Bowl. Looking at this correlation I do think that the Seattle Seahawks will win this years Super Bowl. The History of the correlation does show that the change in the Senate can dictate the winnings of the Super Bowl. This was a very interesting blog to read and review the winnings of the super bowl and how the senate can be apart of football game.
According to the trend, it appears that the Seattle Seahawks should win the Super Bowl, if the Patriots don’t repeat their deflate gate actions in the Super Bowl game as well.
Seattle winning the Super Bowl would compliment the trend between democrats and republicans getting voted into office. I find this really interesting, I would have never thought of comparing the Super Bowl to politics like this. As a huge sports fan it makes me think of sports in a slightly but effectively different way. Go Pats!
I kind of find that interesting with those facts. But I think that the Pats will win because they have the better team. I think that comparing the senate with football is just trying to bring the government into things they have no need for
I never thought of bringing politics into sports. It would be cool if the Seahawks won so the trend could be more accuate. I think that the Seahawks will win the Super Bowl even though I want the Patriots to win.
I like how the professor correlated politics with football to choose the Super Bowl winner. I hope that he has broke the code, and Seahawks are again crowned Super Bowl champions. I have to root for R. Wilson. He is a true Professional. I found a interesting fact, Wilson is like 9-0 verse Brady, Brees, Rodgers, and P. Manning. Defense wins championships, I do not think anybody can disagree with that. Also, the Seahawks have Marshawn Lynch A.K.A. BEASTMODE!
Seeing the trend between the senate seat and the previous winners of the Super Bowl, it appears that Seahawks will win this years Super Bowl. The fact that defense also wins games and Seattle having the top ranked secondary gives them the advantage. Lets just hope Belichick isn’t deflating any footballs on the sideline.
According to the trend Seattle should win the Super Bowl. Since I can’t root for the Bears or against the Packers I don’t care who wins. As long as the balls aren’t deflated it should be a good game.
Ummm…Seattle is going to win the Superbowl (Go Seahawks) — so maybe the trend has some validity. My question is this – is there something political to be gained if New England takes the title? I thought the upper east coast was majority Republican, so I wonder if something more than the Lombardi trophy is at stake. 🙂
If the Seahawks win the game the league will remain the same for the most part. If the pats win there would be a small changing of the guard. By the way the Seahawks are going to win the game!
With Seattle winning tonight the trend will continue. It is interesting to see how politics have a way of setting up trends to start controversial talk. However I think the trend you found will end tonight with Tom Brady blowing the Seahawks out of the game.
After the Chicago Bears failed to make the playoffs once again in 2015, I had to pick a new team to cheer on during the playoffs. I hated the Packers so I rooted for the Seahawks and the LOB (Legion of Boom). Althuogh i would like the political trend to continue and watch the Seahawks hoist the trophy at the end, I believe the Pats will take advantage of the injuries to Sherman, Thomas, and Chancellor to win the game. I still will be taking a political stand and rooting on Seattle Seahawks to win. Go Seahawks.
I never thought politics were involved with football. But it’s very interesting knowing that! But it’s NC turn to win the next two superbowls! Let’s go Seattle!
I believe this correlation is just mere coincidence. For one the Seahawks will not win the Superbowl because the Pats will win, but politics doesn’t create the drive in the players to win. If this correlation was real and true, then the media would have been ALL OVER IT! Go Pats!
I never thought that politics had anything to due with football and who would be winning the super bowel. I do think that Seattle will win this year because of there great defense! And if they win it is going to be a big coincidence. It’ll fit right in with correlation between what party wins the Senate and who wins the Super Bowl. I guess we just have to wait and see.
I have believed in Seattle winning back to back super bowls all year and according to politics it looks like my prediction might be one step closer to being correct! Its half time now and there on fire! PSC 110
Seattle winning the Super Bowl is able to compliment the trend between democrats and republicans getting voted into office. I still can’t image the connection between politics and super bowl. I was find the interesting in the game.