Herbert Johnson Decides the College Football Bowls

Herbert Johnson is not a football authority; he makes his living running a travel agency. Because of that, he has a keen interest in what teams go where. A person who works in this profession has to follow the game, and become well-versed in the "ins and outs" of the college bowl season.

"Patterns," announces Herb in his booming voice, "patterns are what I look for." Herb has lived in Atlanta, working the intricate details of how to sharpen a pencil and make a dollar over the years. So much so that he is now a "hands-off" owner who no longer has to face the horrific traffic and rush-hour mobs of the Peach City.

Herb played football in high school, a lineman from Mansfield, Ohio who chose military service over an open scholarship to play for Bo Schembechler at Miami (O). After service, Herb settled in Sandusky, Ohio before moving to Georgia in 1971.

"I've seen it all," claims Herb, his voice rising and eyes narrowing as if to prove a point. "You put yourself out there with September cruises and bowl games, you can't ever tell which way the wind will blow". 

"In 1983 I had socked away dozens of Sugar Bowl tickets to offer as a package to our University of Georgia customers; they were waiting, foaming at the mouth." Late in the year, "the local boys lost to Auburn and it knocked the Bulldogs out of the Sugar and into the Cotton," and a date with No. 2-ranked Texas.

"We were hustling to change up those packages for Dallas but, believe me, folks aren't as interested in going there as opposed to New Orleans."

With a hand that resembles a catcher's mitt cupping his chin, he sighed, "my idea of the perfect Bowl-pairing for a hot package is Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, Florida State in the Orange Bowl, and Tennessee in the Fiesta Bowl. We've seen those teams there before, and with the alumni base in Atlanta, those are the big sellers you could make a killing offering to the public!"

At the risk of suggesting the travel game will not be as lucrative as he likes this Holiday season, I felt it was natural to ask Herb how he sees the bowl situation this year. Herb states, "look, I go by the interest of the customer; I know there are some Buckeye fans here, but you'd go broke if you put your personal interest ahead of business."

With some encouragement, the big man from Mansfield laid it out on the table. "From what I'm hearing, Georgia is going to a New Year's Day Bowl, we're looking at a Capital One package with a lot of interest from the state of Michigan on the other side, probably the Michigan State people."

I inquired what his business sense tells him about the other "New Year's Day" games. Herb listed the following matchups.

Capital One:  Georgia vs. Michigan State

Outback:      South Carolina vs. Iowa

Gator:          Miami vs. Missouri

Cotton:        Oklahoma vs. LSU

Orange:        Florida State vs. Pittsburgh

Sugar:          Florida vs. Ohio State

Fiesta:         Texas vs. Boise State

Rose:           USC vs. Penn State

BCS Title:     Alabama vs. Texas Tech

I looked at the list and asked Herb why he has Florida State in the Orange Bowl. "That's easy—I want them there," but added, "all that has to happen is for Wake Forest to lose a game in the ACC, and the Seminoles are in like Flynn." "I'll take my chances with FSU."

Not willing to leave well-enough alone, I prodded further, "what about Texas Tech and Alabama for the (BCS) Title Game?" Herb said, "they're No. 1 and No. 2—that's the smart play."

Herb filled in details about the Fiesta Bowl: "Boise State, Utah will lose to BYU." Seems pretty open and shut, according to Herb. 

I thanked him for an afternoon spent munching corn chips with homemade salsa (my recipe, not his) and asked if I could quote him in a Bleacher Report article. "Sure, replied Herb, just make sure you give them my address if anyone is interested in going anywhere." Consider yourselves advised.