El Esuper Bol

¡Bienvenido a Miami!

The Super Bowl is a wild party that begins long before the game. SI.com writer Arash Markazi's job is to cover the various entertainment and fiestas surrounding the game. It is an interesting exploration of celebrity and excess, and it yielded this gem. It's a telling of an exchange between Florida state senator Dave Aronberg and former UM quarterback Ken Dorsey:

While Senator Dave went to Harvard, he grew up as a Miami fan and couldn't help but go up to Ken Dorsey during the party and tell him how much that 2002 Fiesta Bowl still hurts. While Dorsey agreed that the 'Canes got robbed that night, he smiled and said the felt a guilty pleasure in seeing Ohio State get blown out by Florida in the national championship game five years later. "I play in Cleveland now and I'm supposed to root against Florida, but I was so happy to see Ohio State lose that game," he said. "I can't stand them."

Sounds about right to me.

As for predicting the outcome of the big game, there is a clear favorite- the Indianapolis Colts. SI.com experts are united in their selection of Peyton Manning's team, and an Indy win would be seen as a just reward for Manning and his Coach, Tony Dungy. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Colts win out. In seasons past they have peaked too early, but this year the team has emerged very strongly in the post-season. That's a key difference.

Len Pasquarelli of ESPN.com picks the Bears. His prediction is based more on some key things falling into place, such as Rex Grossman finding a confident streak and the Chicago running game busting out early and often. No one expects a blow-out, and neither do I, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Media storylines fail to pan out.

Here is my pick: Indianapolis over Chicago, 31-27.