As a life-long football fan, I take a lot of pride in being a loyal, fanatical fan. Nothing irks me more than the stereotype that girls don’t like football or understand the game. For me, there is no better feeling than surprising unsuspecting guys with my knowledge.
That being said, I understand many girls do not take as much of an interest in football as I do, and so I take it upon myself to keep my fellow collegiettes up to date and informed. Here is a preview of the big game that will help you decide who to cheer for, some things to watch for, and points to contribute to all of the conversations during the big game.
Who to root for: The BC Factor
The easy choice to cheer on would be BC’s local team, the New England Patriots. The Patriots, led by head coach Bill Belichick, are one of the biggest powerhouses of the NFL. The team is making its fifth trip to the Superbowl in the past eleven seasons. BC is represented on the Patriots’ roster by two highly regarded former eagles: Ron Brace ’08 and Dan Koppen ’01 (Koppen is currently on the Patriots injured reserve list.) Let’s not forget that the entire Patriots team has a special connetion to the Heights, as they called Alumni Stadium home for a few practices this summer during the lock-out.
But just because they are the local team does not mean the Patriots should immediately get the BC vote. The BC Eagles are well represented on the New York Giants and have always maintained a strong relationship with the organization starting from the very top. The Mara family, known for founding and now co-owning the Giants, are comprised of several BC grads. Tom Coughlin, head coach of the Giants, is a former coach of the Eagles, first working as quarterback coach over Doug Flutie and then as head coach from 1991-1993. He is best remembered here for depriving Notre Dame of a national championship in 1993. BC is also represented by Will Blackmon ’05, Chris Snee ’01, and Mathias Kiwanuka ’02. Of course we can never forget one of BC’s favorite football heroes, Mark Herzlich ’11. Recently inactive due to an ankle injury, Herzlich will hopefully be well enough to play in his very first Superbowl one year out of BC, and less than three years after beating Ewing’s Sarcoma.
The Giants also have Victor Cruz, a wide receiver from UMass who went undrafted in 2010, but was later signed by the Giants. This year, in what is essentially his rookie season, Cruz broke the franchise record for receiving yards. Look out for number 80, this kid can turn a routine first down play into a touchdown and has the ability to make defenses wish Plaxico Burress had never shot himself in the leg and gotten cut. Did I mention that his dancing skills are also unparalleled?
The Stakes
There’s a lot more at stake than just the Super Bowl ring for both of these teams. First, the Patriots are out to solidify their place as top team in the NFL. With the future of Peyton Manning, one of Brady’s biggest competitors, hanging in the balance, this could be Brady’s chance to pull ahead in the debate over who is the better quarterback. The Patriots are also out for a little payback. The memory of Superbowl XLII when the Giants dealt the Patriots a stunning blow, ending their season at a measly 18-1 record still haunts the team. Tom Brady has recently admitted that watching tape of that game is still difficult for him. After losing to the G-Men again this year in week nine, the Giants remain a thorn in the Patriots’ side, keeping them in check. The Pats are looking to remove that thorn.
The Giants, on the other hand, are out to prove themselves. After a difficult regular season, they have essentially been in playoff mode since week 14. The Giants are notorious for being the underdogs, and they thrive under those circumstances. This is especially true for Eli Manning, who is debatably the most underappreciated of the elite quarterbacks in the league. (Eli haters don’t even start- in this season alone he has broken the NFL record for most fourth quarter touchdown passes thrown in a season, tied the NFL record for the longest pass completion and touchdown, earned his second Pro-Bowl selection, and now holds the NFL record for most playoff road wins). The Giants are out to prove that they belong in the elite category among NFL teams. And what better way to do that then to win a second Superbowl over the Patriots?
My Prediction
Don’t be fooled by the media and it’s infatuations. Although the Patriots are the three-point favorite, these teams are evenly matched. Both offenses have the ability to score and both teams have defenses that have struggled in the regular season but have stepped up their game big time in the postseason. The Patriots know how to execute consistently regardless of the situation, but the Giants are known for coming through in the clutch moments when it counts most. This game will be decided in the fourth quarter, and it is really going to come down to who wants it more, pitting the coaching skills of Belichick and Coughlin head to head.
I have the Giants coming out on top 24-21 for several reasons. It’s going to be a full-team effort to beat the Pats, but I believe the Giants have the depth and personnel to do it. The Pats are not going to be able to blow out the Giants, so it’s going to come down to the fourth quarter. When it does, I have more faith in Tom Coughlin and Eli Manning’s miraculous ability to come through than the Patriots consistency. The Giants love being the underdogs; they thrive under that pressure, and they have been in that mode fighting to get to Indianapolis since Week 14. While the Patriots have some bigger names in comparison to players like Eli Manning, Mark Herzlich, Victor Cruz, and defensive rookie Jason Pierre-Paul in their locker room, the Giants have the hunger and drive to win. Pair that motivation with Tom Coughlin’s expert time management skills, a bench stocked with unlikely heroes, and Eli’s ability to come through in the clutch… it will be a thrilling Giants victory in a down-to-the-wire game.
Photo Sources:
http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Mark+Herzlich+New+York+Giants+v+New+England+bcDuY6ruzkkl.jpg
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