Super Bowl Preview...

On Sunday, people from across the world will tune in to watch the spectacle that is the Super Bowl. It has become much more than a football game, with commercials being carefully scrutinized and half-time shows that are like mini-Grammy concerts. While I enjoy looking at how all the various aspects of the Super Bowl come together (or, in cases such as Janet Jackson's half-time nip-slip in 2004, don't), in the end, the ultimate goal is about finally determining who the NFL champion is. However, before I delve into the preview for the actual game, I feel that it is necessary to touch upon Warren Sapp's unfortunate incident in Miami, where he apparently thought that he was still in the NFL, and decided to choke his female acquaintance. Warren, you are in the real world now. You do not play football anymore. Also, shouldn't you be focusing on getting ready for your job as an analyst for the NFL Network's Sunday Super Bowl coverage instead of partying? Just a thought.

Now, on to the game, between the two #1 seeds, the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints . Both these teams have explosive offenses and underrated defenses. While some will point to Indianapolis being the hotter team going into the Super Bowl, comfortably defeating each team they faced while the Saints needed Brett Favre's belief that he is still in his 20's to get to this point, the reality is that the Saints played the #2 seed in the NFC, while the Colts faced a Cinderella story in the #6 seeded New York Jets, which had already played two tough games on the road. Also, not that fan support always matters, but the Saints are clearly America's team, as they have never won a Super Bowl and would be a feel-good story for the country and the city of New Orleans.

According to ESPN, the current line for the game is Indianapolis by 5.5, but the Colts could be without some of their top players, making the line potentially even less relevant. Defensive End Dwight Freeney, one of the top players at his position in the league, did not practice yesterday, and it is unknown whether he will be able to play/be effective. Losing him would be a huge blow, as the Colts need to put pressure on stud Saints QB Drew Brees to slow down the Saint's prolific aerial attack. Star receiver Reggie Wayne among others for the Colts is injured going into the game.

If the Colts were fully healthy, I would not hesitate in picking them to win the game, as they have been in this situation before, and have the biggest weapon available in quarterback Peyton Manning. But with their injuries, and the energy the Saints have going into the game, I think that the teams are pretty much dead even. And the only way to settle this close matchup is to involve personal preferences. Indianapolis has former Michigan Wolverine stud running back Michael Hart. New Orleans doesn't. Indianapolis wins 28-24. And if I'm wrong, I and most of the rest of America will still be happy. It's a win-win situation.