Gov. Kathleen Blanco has started heavy campaigning but not for next year’s governor’s race. Blanco spoke personally by telephone with members of the Rose and Orange bowls’ committees Thursday in an effort to boost the No. 5 LSU Tigers’ (10-2) chances of participating in a Bowl Championship Series game. Blanco spoke with Rose Bowl President Paul Holman and Orange Bowl President Eric Poms on Thursday afternoon to discuss enthusiasm and possibility of a BCS bowl. Blanco said in a news release anyone who has followed college football this season is well aware the Tigers have had a successful season and are deserving of a high-quality bowl game. “Our team deserves a BCS bowl berth,” Blanco said. “I am reminding representatives of these bowls of the excitement our state shares for this team, and everything we offer as LSU fans.” A Rose Bowl appearance this season would be a first for LSU. The Tigers have played in five Orange bowls but have not played there since a 21-20 loss to the University of Nebraska in 1983. Blanco said an invitation to any BCS bowl would be beneficial to not only LSU but to the bowls themselves. Holman and other Tournament of Roses Committee members visited the Governor’s Mansion in October during a visit to Louisiana, but Blanco’s press secretary Marie Centanni said the visit was nothing more than goodwill. “The reception was just to welcome them and to kind of improve relations and make sure that they understand how good LSU would be for the Rose Bowl,” Centanni said. Centanni also said Blanco has no immediate plans to speak with any other bowl committees. This season’s Rose Bowl will be held New Year’s Day in Pasadena, Calif., and the Orange Bowl takes place the following day in Miami.
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