BCS pregame festivities

Dianne Jacobs, of Mobile, Ala., cheers on top of a van outside the Rose Bowl before the start of the game.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

“Big Al,” the mascot for the University of Alabama, sits on the head of Archie Richardson of Center, Ala., outside the Rose Bowl before the game.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Rick Vasquez picks up Ali Kefalos outside the Rose Bowl. Both are graduates of the University of Texas.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Landry Locke of Lubbock, Texas, throws a football to friends outside the Rose Bowl before the start of the BCS Championship Game in Pasadena on Thursday. He is a junior at the University of Texas. Alabama plays Texas later today for the BCS Championship.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

James Hatchitt, left, of Austin, Texas, and Mike Reyes smoke cigars outside the Rose Bowl before the start of the BCS Championship Game. Both are graduates of the University of Texas.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Meri-Glenn Freeman of Birmingham, Ala., strikes the Heisman Trophy pose outside the Rose Bowl. She graduated from the University of Alabama in May 2009 and now attends the University of Alabama School of Law.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Larry Winston tries to sell BCS Championship tickets outside the Rose Bowl before the start of the game.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Arnold Bolgado of San Antonio rests next to his car outside the Rose Bowl before the start of the game. He is a 1994 graduate of the University of Texas.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)