After having showed the world the proof that Psyduck has influenced the Oregon Ducks, I decided to delve further into the mysterious connection between Pokemon and college football teams. I found a connection between the LSU Raikous Tigers and the legendary Pokemon, Raikou. This connection is even stronger than Oregon and Psyduck!
The Numbers Before the Release
Raikou first appeared in Pokemon Gold November 21, 1999. Below are the 18 seasons prior to 1999.
| Season | Wins | Losses |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 7 | 4 |
| 1981 | 3 | 7 |
| 1982 | 8 | 3 |
| 1983 | 4 | 7 |
| 1984 | 8 | 3 |
| 1985 | 9 | 2 |
| 1986 | 9 | 3 |
| 1987 | 10 | 1 |
| 1988 | 8 | 4 |
| 1989 | 4 | 7 |
| 1990 | 5 | 6 |
| 1991 | 5 | 6 |
| 1992 | 2 | 9 |
| 1993 | 5 | 6 |
| 1994 | 4 | 7 |
| 1995 | 7 | 4 |
| 1996 | 10 | 2 |
| 1997 | 9 | 3 |
| 1998 | 4 | 7 |
In the 18 years prior to 1999, the LSU Tigers had 9 losing seasons and a winning percentage of .570. Not terrible, but not fantastic. They had a bowl record of 4-5.
The Numbers After the Release
Below are the 18 years after 1999.
| Season | Wins | Losses |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 3 | 8 |
| 2000 | 8 | 4 |
| 2001 | 10 | 3 |
| 2002 | 8 | 5 |
| 2003 | 13 | 1 |
| 2004 | 9 | 3 |
| 2005 | 11 | 2 |
| 2006 | 11 | 2 |
| 2007 | 12 | 2 |
| 2008 | 8 | 5 |
| 2009 | 9 | 4 |
| 2010 | 11 | 2 |
| 2011 | 13 | 1 |
| 2012 | 10 | 3 |
| 2013 | 10 | 3 |
| 2014 | 8 | 5 |
| 2015 | 9 | 3 |
| 2016 | 8 | 4 |
| 2017 | 9 | 4 |
The 18 years after 1999, the LSU Tigers had 1 losing season and a winning percentage of .738 with two claimed national championships and a bowl record of 11-7.
LSU’s school colors are purple and gold. What colors are Raikou? Purple and gold. Raikou is eerily similar to an LSU tiger.
Raikou Appearances
Listed below are the video games that Raikou appeared in.
| Pokemon Game | Release Date | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Pokemon Gold | 11/21/1999 | W |
| Super Smash Bros Melee | 11/21/2001 | W |
| Pokemon Colosseum | 11/21/2003 | W |
| Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver | 9/12/2009 | W |
| Super Smash Bros for Wii U | 9/13/2014 | W |
| Pokemon Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire | 11/21/2014 | W |
| Pokemon Super Mystery Dungeon | 9/17/2015 | W |
| Pokemon Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon | 11/17/2017 | W |
LSU is undefeated when playing on or near days that a game in which Raikou appears or can be captured is released.
Next are the TV Shows and Movies that were released the same day or week that LSU played a game.
| TV Show/Movie | Release Date | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Houndoom’s Special Delivery | 12/1/2001 | W |
| Lucario and the Mystery of Mew | 9/19/2006 | W |
| Arceus and the Jewel of Life | 11/20/2009 | L |
| Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs (Part Two) | 11/10/2010 | W |
| Zoroark: Master of Illusions | 9/20/2011 | W |
| The Reawakening | 10/7/2016 | W |
| I Choose You! | 11/25/2017 | W |
LSU is 6-1 in games during this time. The one loss in this time was against Ole Miss who just have to be rebels (Hi-yo!) to throw off the numbers a bit.
The Evidence Grows
Further support for this connection is that LSU’s school colors are yellow and purple. Raikou is yellow and purple. LSU’s mascot is a tiger. Raikou is basically a tiger Pokemon. Do the math, people!
Raikou is a lightning type Pokemon. In 2015 and 2016, LSU had their home openers delayed by lightning strikes. Both of these games were played when Raikou appeared in Pokemon Super Mystery Dungeon and Raikou appeared in The Reawakening. The Pokemon Gold Pokedex entry says:
The rain clouds it carries let it fire thunderbolts at will. They say that it descended with lightning.
Coincidence that Raikou descends on lightning, lightning strikes at Tiger Stadium, and LSU wins the very next game? I think not.
The Raikou Pokedex entry for Pokemon FireRed is:
This Pokémon races across the land while barking a cry that sounds like crashing thunder.
LSU has had 4 running backs finish in the Top 6 of Heisman voting, four consensus All-American running backs, one running back’s number retired, a running back and a fullback in the NFL Hall of Fame, and four running backs in the College Football Hall of Fame. What I’m trying to say is, they run fast at LSU, exactly like Raikou.
An Undeniable Omen
Now let’s discuss the history of Raikou. Raikou, Suicune, and Entei all lived in a tower called the Brass Tower. The Brass Tower burned to the ground killing all three. The three were revived by Ho-oh and became legendary Pokemon. In 1996 during the first quarter of a game against Auburn , a fire occurred in Auburn’s old basketball stadium which was called The Barn at the time. The Barn burned completely to the ground. LSU had a brief upswing the next two years, then took off once Raikou was officially revealed as a Pokemon. A legendary Pokemon wouldn’t have just a normal entry. There would be omens showing its arrival. And The Barn burning to the ground was just that omen. Ho-oh reviving Raikou would also explain how LSU did so well those two years, as Ho-oh is extremely powerful.
The answer is obvious. Raikou has influenced the LSU football team to be a dominant and consistent force in the SEC and the country since 1999. It’s science.
