Shakir Bell showed the Jacks that appearances can be deceiving. Indiana State’s 5’8’’ back appeared to be bottled up by the SDSU defense in the first half of last Saturday’s Beef Bowl, as Bell was held to just 38 yards in the first half. Then in the second half, he showed everyone at Coughlin-Alumni Stadium why he was second in the nation in yards per game (142 ypg) heading into the contest.

Bell busted out for 122 yards on only 10 carries and one touchdown in the third quarter to eventually lead the Sycamores to their second conference victory.

“He’s just got that instinct. He’s got ‘it’, whatever ‘it’ is, he’s got it,” ISU head coach Trent Miles said.

When all was said and done, Bell had racked up 199 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries. His offensive line dominated SDSU’s banged up defensive front in the second half. The only reason he didn’t eclipse the 200 yard mark was due to a bad first quarter, in which the Jacks held Bell to -6 yards.

“I really can’t take full credit for what I’m doing back there. It all starts up front…I just do what I do after I get past those guys, and if you look at the film, they make great holes,” Bell said.

Harris out for season
A bizarre play ended in what head coach John Stiegelmeier called “a terrible tragedy” for senior captain and kicker Kyle Harris.

Harris was set to kickoff after nailing a 19 yard field goal in the final minutes of the first quarter. He didn’t even reach the ball.

While running up to kick the ball, Harris’ leg buckled about two steps from making contact and fell over the football. ISU’s Larry King scooped up the ball and ran for six yards as many of the SDSU players looked toward Harris, who was on laying on the grass, clearly in pain.

It turns out Harris broke both bones in his leg and went into surgery Saturday night after leaving the field. He’s done for the season.

“It’s a tough loss. A senior captain, really a leader on our team. We’re going to miss him,” quarterback Austin Sumner said.

Redshirt freshman Justin Syrovatka hit two field goals after the injury and Ethan Sawyer performed well in place of Harris on kickoffs.

Offensive line
There were differing opinions after the game regarding the play of Indiana State’s defense. Quarterback Austin Sumner praised his offensive line, and asked, in almost disbelief, if he had even gotten sacked (he was sacked twice).

“I’d say our line did a good job for the most part. They’re [ISU] an okie team, they like to bring a lot of pressure…[the offensive line] protected me pretty well,” Sumner said.

Surprising, considering Sumner had to avoid a heavy Sycamores pass rush most of the game, often extending plays with his feet and throwing on the run.
Head coach John Stiegelmeier gave credit to the offensive line as well, but had a little different view on how ISU’s defense played. Stiegelmeier was asked if the pressure on his quarterback was due to coverage or not.

“I don’t think he (Sumner) always had guys open, so I would give some credit to their coverage,” Stiegelmeier said. “They didn’t blitz much at all.”

It was a different story in terms of run blocking, as the Jacks failed to get much going on the ground. Tyrel Kool and Zach Zenner combined for 100 yards on 25 rushes, averaging out to four yards a carry as the running game hasn’t progressed much since the SDSU’s lone victory over Southern Utah.

Dale Moss excelled at basketball for SDSU for four years, capturing gasps of awe from fans with his high energy and emphatic slams at the rim. But left with one final year of collegiate eligibility, Moss has taken the chance to come back to a sport that he’s always loved: football.

Dale Moss has been a basketball star at SDSU and he'll hang around to play football this fall for the Jacks. Moss was an all-state wide receiver at Brandon Valley High School. --Collegian Photo by Kathy Kroeger.

A courtship that began over five years ago when Moss was being recruited separately by both the football and basketball coaches at SDSU will take shape Sept. 3 on the field when the Jacks host Southern Utah in the season opener at 6 p.m. at Coughlin-Alumni Stadium.

“It was just always something that I wanted to do and during the recruiting process in high school, I was a little bit torn over what to do. I’ve always had a good rapport with the football coaches and I had the year of eligibility left, so I figured why not,” Moss said.

It’s certainly not out of the blue. Moss was a standout two-sport athlete at Brandon Valley High School, achieving all-state accolades in both football and basketball as a senior. He caught 89 passes after joining the football team as a junior at Brandon Valley before attending SDSU.

“Dale’s love in high school was basketball, even though he was an incredible football player,” said Chad Garrow, Moss’ high school football coach at Brandon Valley. “At that time, he was already honed in on college basketball. I always thought he could be a pretty darn good collegiate football player.”

The NCAA allows each student five years of athletic eligibility, as long as they’ve made adequate progress toward their degree.  Because Moss played immediately as a freshman for the men’s basketball team, he still has one year of eligibility in a sport other than basketball.

“We’ve been thinking about Dale for the last five years,” said co-offensive coordinator Luke Meadows, who recruited Moss to play football for the Jacks before he ultimately decided to play college basketball at SDSU.

“When he decided to play basketball, we told him ‘You better play as a true freshman, so you can play in your fifth year.’ Fortunately, it all worked out for us.”

“I talk to Coach Meadows all the time and I told him that I would play football in my fifth year and I just wanted to keep my word there. I’m happy I’m playing now,” Moss said.

Meadows believes that Moss’ athletic ability translates easily to the football field.

“Anyone who has ever seen him play basketball before knows that he is really dynamic and people know about the dunks and the rebounds,” Meadows said.

More explosiveness won’t hurt the Jacks at the wide receiver position. Brandon Hubert, Trevor Tiefenthaler and Aaron Rollin all return after contributing to last year’s young receiving corps and Moss will give SDSU a specific advantage at wideout when it comes to athleticism.

“Our receivers have worked hard this summer and we’re all just trying to compete and battle every day,” Moss said.

“Being able to use him in a one-on-one situation is going to give us an advantage,” Meadows said. “It’s one thing to be able to jump like he can but he can really run and we don’t really have any concerns about throwing the ball up to him on a fade route.”

Garrow says that his athleticism and leaping ability is unquestioned but not to forget about his hands.

“As far as catching, that comes natural to him. We haven’t had a guy with hands like Dale and he’s just a great player and a great kid to have around,” he said.

The 6’4” senior has been on the squad since March and he’s defeated a few of  his critics, including the guy who throws him the ball, SDSU quarterback Thomas O’Brien.

“I think I was probably his biggest skeptic, to be honest, and he’s really proved me wrong,” O’Brien said. “Usually it takes a redshirt year, through the spring and into the following fall to get adjusted and he’s worked really hard. He’s brought a lot of different experiences that he’s had and he’s definitely made a great transition.”

SDSU head football coach John Stiegelmeier said that Moss has been surprising for two reasons: his hard work and dedication to a fifth-year sport.

“Also because of his work ethic and leadership in a group of young men that he really doesn’t know, hasn’t grown up with really says that he’s a special individual.”

As for personal goals, those are high for Moss, as well.

“I want to do whatever I can do to help us win. It’s a high expectation but I really want to be an all-conference wide receiver. I know it’s my first year back, but just based on the plays that I can make and need to make for my teammates, that’s a definite goal for me and I think it is realistic.”

“He will make plays for us, not just because of the passes caught but because of the picture he’s painted for a lot of the players,” Stiegelmeier said.

After all the talk, Moss is ready to play.

“Just the progress that we’ve made individually and as a team and I feel like it’s night and day from where we were when I stepped on the field in the spring. I’m just excited to step on the field and see where things go.”

Vince Benedetto turns upfield during pactice on Aug. 30. SDSU looks to improve last year's 5-6 record. --Collegian Photo by Kathy Kroeger

A better start for the Jacks means a win over a difficult Southern Utah squad.

They need a strong start to the season, beginning on Saturday when the Jackrabbits host Southern Utah at Coughlin Alumni Stadium. Winning early would be contrary to how SDSU started its slate a year ago, when the Jacks lost their first four games and ultimately setting back the high expectations from the preseason.

The Jackrabbits can’t afford to do that again. SDSU will not have another home game in September, making trips to play Illinois, Cal Poly, and Illinois State in three consecutive weeks and playing opponents that will be as difficult as the travel.

“It’s very important because it will change the whole season. If you can come out and start strong in your first game it will give you more confidence,” wide receiver Aaron Rollin said. “Last year, we lost the first game and it made everybody fall back a little bit. If we start this season off with a win, it makes a huge difference for our season.”

SDSU will face a familiar opponent, as the Jacks and Thunderbirds met four times from 2004-2007 as members of the Great West Football Conference. The Jackrabbits won the last three of those games and by an average margin of victory of 27.6 points per game.

The likelihood of similar scenarios playing out again this time are unlikely. For starters, Southern Utah has a stellar junior quarterback in Brad Sorensen, who completed over 65 percent of his passes in 2010 and is on numerous preseason national award lists. The Thunderbirds return eight starters on each side of the ball and are the preseason selection to win the Great West, providing the Jackrabbits with worthy opponents for the season opener.

Southern Utah is in the midst of a huge turnaround but they have only won eight road games in the last nine seasons, leaving questions about the Thunderbirds ability to win away from home. The Jacks struggled last year with turnovers and an emphasis has been placed on protecting the ball throughout the offseason.

“We want to prove something and we feel really confident about ourselves too.” Jackrabbits quarterback Thomas O’Brien said. “We’ve got a team that is really going to fight for everything and not take anything for granted. We’re going to make sure that we come into every game ready to just do our job.”

“We’re going to play hard,” SDSU head coach John Stiegelmeier said. “I said ‘Men, when we walk off that field after that last second of play, I want Southern Utah to look back at us and say ‘That’s a good football team.’”

Brandon Andrews WR 6-1, 180 lbs El Centro,Calif. All-conference selection, team MVP in three sports, 48 catches, 783 receiving yards, and 6 TDs as a junior

Serkout Aware DB 5-10, 165 Sioux Falls,S.D. All-state selection at Washington High, led team in kick and punt return yardage as a senior, second on the team in all-purpose yards

Taylor Bloom OL 6-5, 250 Madison, S.D. All-conference, three-sport athlete in high school, both parents played sports for SDSU

Bryan Burke DT 6-4, 270 Payson, Ariz. Played last two seasons at Scottsdale Community College, 163 tackles and 16 sacks in career

Je Ryan Butler DB 5-11, 180 Tempe, Ariz. All-state defensive back and returner as a senior with 10 interceptions

Jay Carlson K 6-1, 195 Parkville, Mo. 1st-team all-state and all-Kansas City metro pick, 65 points as a senior.

Tory Dibb DL 6-3, 235 Brown Deer, Wis. First team all-conference on both sides of the ball as a senior, very versatile.

Tyler Finnes QB 6-4, 185 Andover, Minn. Second team all-state, nearly 5,000 all-purpose yards in career with 56 TDs, SDSU will keep the dual-threat at quarterback.

Jimmie Forsythe DB 5-11, 190 Omaha, Neb. Huskerland Preps Nebraska state player of the year, Two-time all-state player at QB, will play defense at SDSU.

Reggie Gandy RB 5-10, 185 Minneapolis, Minn. St. Paul Pioneer Press and Associated Press Player of the Year as a senior, 5,707 career yards and 89 TDs

Jake Gentile DB 6-1, 195 Council Bluffs, Iowa Two-time all-state pick by Des Moines Register, ran for 3,900 yards for career, 125 tackles for career.

David Godley DB 6-0, 185 Glendale, Ariz. Played last two seasons at Glendale College in Ariz., notched 46 tackles.

Cam Jones TE 6-6, 230 Eagan, Minn. Quarterback in high school but will move to tight end for the Jackrabbits, honorable mention all-state

Eric Kline QB 6-4, 200 Coon Rapids, Minn. Minneapolis Star Tribune Player of the Year as a senior, 29-4 career record, 3,700 career yards, 37 passing TDs, 38 rushing TDs

Drew Kreutzfeldt DB 5-11, 185 Wentworth, S.D. Three-time all-state, two-time Argus Leader Elite 45 selection, 250 career tackles, 9 interceptions, 8,284 rushing yards and 110 TDs.

T.J. Lally LB 6-0, 215 Aurora, Ill. Chicago Tribune First team all-state, 152 tackles as a senior, strong athlete in track and field.

Luke Marks OL 6-5, 260 Mendota Heights, Minn. His teams went 32-4 in his career, named all-state by Associated Press and Pioneer Press

Joe Martinson DB 5-11, 175 Orlando, Fla. Top 100 player, according to Orlando Sentinel, 105 tackles and 13 interceptions in two seasons.

Trent Mason LB 6-3, 200 Laguna Niguel, Calif. Dual-threat quarterback in high school, 87 tackles, nine pass breakups and seven interceptions in two years.

Brandon Mohr LB 6-0, 225 Sioux Falls, S.D. Two-time all-state pick, 282 career tackles, 39 of them for a loss.

Ben Muff LB 6-1, 200 Martell, Neb. Track athlete who played wide receiver and returned in high school, 74 tackles and three interceptions last year.

Mark Pickrel S 6-0, 195 Columbia, Mo. Second-team all-state at quarterback, 1,800 yards passing and 22 TDs, will play safety for Jacks.

J.R. Plote DB 6-3, 235 Phoeniz, Ariz. All-state player in Arizona, 15 career sacks, three-time all-region selection.

Alex Schnell LB 6-3, 205 Rapid City, S.D. Two-time Argus Leader Elite 45 pick, Rapid City Stevens’ leading tackler for two seasons, Eagle Scout.

Patrick Schuster LB 6-1, 195 Watertown, S.D. Dual-threat quarterback who will play linebacker for the Jackrabbits, Argus Leader Elite 45 pick, academic all-state, three-sport athlete.

Dylan Seiter OL 6-3, 265 Sun Prairie, Wis. 1st team all-state pick by Wisconsin Coaches Association and Associated Press, Joe Thomas award finalist for top offensive lineman in Wisconsin.

Trevor Sikkink WR 6-2, 190 Castlewood, S.D. 23 career TD catches, versatile athlete who played running back, tight end, and linebacker in high school, 100 and 200 meter state champion in track.

Bryce Siverling OL 6-4, 285 Bloomer, Wis. Anchored an offensive line that amassed 4,200 yards as a senior, honorable mention all-state.

Chad Strehlow TE 6-4, 215 Suring, Wis. All-state pick, three-time all-conference, 52 catches for 902 yards and 14 TDs, 272 tackles in his career.

Trevor Wesley WR 5-11, 165 Oro Valley, Ariz. Honorable mention all-state, 96 career receptions for 1,593 yards and 22 TDs, had five interceptions on defense.

Last Wednesday was national signing day for high school football players where they sign their letter of intent declaring what college they will take their talents to for the next four to five years.

Over the last handful of years, this process and day has exploded with media coverage. Experts telling you what guys are the next stars of the college game and most of us believing what they say, because no one listening has ever watched the players they are talking about outside of highlights.

This is even a more inexact science than the NFL Draft. Five star recruits never living up to the hype (Mitch Mustain, Ryan Perrilloux) while junior college transfers become Super Bowl winning quarterbacks (hello, Aaron Rodgers.)

I understand the excitement of getting the next impact player to pick your favorite school and hopefully have a great career, but even the best of the bunch won’t have a sizable impact for at least two years. It’s just way too much coverage, way too early.

“Signing day has become part of the media push to make everything in sports an event,” said SDSU head coach John Stiegelmeier. “There is some good with that and obviously some bad with that.”

SDSU isn’t immune to the increased coverage. Ten years ago when the Jacks were Division II, no one really cared about signing day. It was nice to see the local high school kids that you might recognize get a scholarship from the area college, but today, it has become a national scene.

In 1999, 80 percent of the roster came from either South Dakota or Minnesota. In 2010, that number is down to 38 percent. 50 percent of the team was from in-state in 1999 compared to 25 percent in 2010.

Of the 17 high school players and two junior college transfers that signed with SDSU (non walk-ons), one was from South Dakota with the majority coming from Arizona and Minnesota with five each.

“The level of athlete that we try to attract at SDSU, so we have need to reach even further,” said Stiegelmeier when asked what the biggest change has been in the past 5-10 years with recruiting.

The thing I love most from signing day is every coach telling the media they are very happy with the kids that they have coming to their school. I do not doubt that they are happy with the players they signed because they spent the time and money trying to get these players. But I have never once heard a coach say that he was disappointed with the players that signed and that they didn’t get that one difference making recruit that maybe went to a high profile school.

Obviously there’s an audience out there for this type of coverage or it wouldn’t be on TV and I wouldn’t be writing about it. But before you get too excited about a new recruiting class in any sport, just remember that the two starting quarterbacks in this year’s Super Bowl had a combined one scholarship offer coming out of high school.

Wednesday, Feb. 2 marked the official addition of 30 prep high schoolers around the nation to SDSU and Brookings.

The names include players of the year, numerous two-star recruits, and familiar names from around the Upper Midwest in what may be the most diverse and wide-ranging group of newcomers in program history.

Like every recruiting year, SDSU’s success rate did not reach 100 percent. Several recruits decided on FBS or FCS schools, with notable in-state Argus Leader Elite 45 captain Matt Hermanson committing to Montana. That withstanding, the Jacks experienced greater success than expected in Danny Batten’s home state of Arizona and in the Twin Cities.

“I think we won more head-to-head battles with bigger schools or comparative schools than we have in the past,” said SDSU head coach John Stiegelmeier. “We think we got guys that really do fit, which is a huge deal for us.”

Seven of those guys were labeled two-star recruits on a five-star system determining player potential, three received Player of the Year honors from their respective states while others had looks from FBS schools.

Four of the 30 recruits came from Arizona, a greater point of emphasis after the successes with Danny Batten and Jimmy Rogers, among others.

SDSU also found greater success in the Twin Cities region than in previous years, acquiring Reggie Gandy, voted Minnesota Player of the Year by the Associated Press and Eric Kline, voted Player of the Year in the same state by the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

All of this comes after a 5-6 season in which the Jacks were ranked No. 9 in the preseason polls and failed to make the playoffs for a consecutive season. That was something that slightly altered Stiegelmeier and the SDSU coaching staff’s approach, who instead dwelled upon the program’s recent playoff berth and steady upclimb at the FCS level, Stiegelmeier said.

Accruing players away from FBS schools was a steady theme this recruiting season, as well. Je Ryan Butler, a cornerback from the Tempe, Ariz. region had an offer from bowlqualifier San Diego State before picking SDSU. Defensive players J.R. Plote and T.J. Lally also had FBS offers on the table and settled with the Jacks. All three players came from outside the five-state Upper Midwest region that the program normally thrives upon.

“I think they more-so try to find guys that fit to what it is we’re trying to do, regardless of where they’re from,” said sophomore Tyrel Kool, himself a Yankton native that committed to SDSU after his junior year of high school.

“They look at what kind of things they do in high school and that they’ll fit into our system.”

South Dakota natives like Kool are represented on this year’s batch of recruits like any other year. Washington High School standout Brandon Mohr, a hard-hitting defensive back that helped lead the Warriors to two straight state titles, heads the list. A half dozen other South Dakota kids signed on as preferred walk-ons, guaranteeing a jersey and locker for fall camp.

SDSU also rounded up a player in the Cornhusker territory lauded as Nebraska Player of the Year by Huskerland Preps Magazine in Jimmie Forsythe. He figures to play in the defensive secondary, replacing outgoing players Corey Jeske and Conrad Kjerstad, among others.

Stiegelmeier noted a higher recruiting focus in Florida, which proved instrumental in committing Joe Martinson, a 5-11, 170 pound safety who had anw offer from Missouri Valley conference opponent Illinois State.

Signings like that indicate a broader and growing recruiting base that Stiegelmeier said was a conscious decision, while simultaneously sticking to the local region to grab some of the better talent as in previous years.

The results appear strong on paper. “It’s not the fastest class or the tallest class, but that has nothing to do with how hard they work, whether they’re men of character and have a will to get better,” Stiegelmeier said. “We’re always checking those things out and we feel pretty good about that.”

It’s probably the same question everyone’s asked when they make the decision to come here. Why SDSU?

However, for non-athletes, there aren’t web sites, fans, or coaches waiting on that decision. The high level of attention that comes with college football recruiting has arrived in Brookings with the Jacks moving to Division I. That may not have been any more visible than this year, with the Jacks landing recruits from 10 different states.

The coaching staff has the complex task of narrowing down a list of nearly 1,400 recruits, sorting through phone calls, letters, and film to trim the list to about 50 on-campus visits. In the end, the football team will gather about 25 commitments in each recruiting class.

“Time,” said SDSU head coach John Stiegelmeier. “Our coaching staff puts a ton of time and energy into looking at kids and looking for guys who have character and fit with what we’re about about at SDSU.”

A sophomore wide receiver from Yankton, Tyrel Kool said the staff was very honest in their assessment of him and looked in the best interest of the individual, not the football player.

“The thing that really sold them on me was talking to Coach Stig and Coach Meadows, they said, “Hey, I know you want to go somewhere bigger and we think you probably have the talent to. But you know what, we like the way you play football. We like what you bring to the table,’” Kool said.

SDSU’s recruiting resources have improved in the last few years with the addition of the $6 million Dykhouse Student-Athlete Center and the improved level of play in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. The usual knocks on the Midwest about weather and corn fields are prevalent in recruiting, but the staff makes prospective players know right away what SDSU is all about.

“If you’re worried about superficial things like that, we’re probably not a very good fit anyway,” Stiegelmeier said.

Having top-notch facilities benefit recruiting too, and Stiegelmeier says that future facility upgrades are part of the plan. But the biggest pitch for the Jackrabbits is the people.

“We think that is going to be our advantage. We truly downplay our facilities, which people will match you, but I don’t know if they can match you with the type of people we have here. We really like to get the guys around our players a bunch, because they are good people and they get a family feeling from those guys because that’s what we create here,” Stiegelmeier said.

According to Stiegelmeier, nobody on campus sells Jackrabbit football better than the current players themselves and Kool says that the players are very straight with recruits.

“When I have a recruit, I basically tell it how it is and say, “Hey, we’re not a big D-I school. We don’t have all the extra luxury things that the Texas’ and Oregon’s or even the NDSU’s have. We like to run the ball and we’re just going to win games the oldfashioned way. But at the same time, our coaches are going to put our players in positions where they can be effective and ultimately where its going to help us win games.”

First off, let me get this out of the way before you continue reading: I was born and raised a Vikings fan, so for me to come out and say I’m rooting for the Packers would be considered a sin in my family.

With that out of the way, how excited are you for the big game? No matter what team plays, everyone loves the Super Bowl even if you don’t watch much football. From parties featuring the best beer and munchies, to the commercials, to the endless debate on if the halftime show was bad (The Black Eyed Peas perform this year), we all love the craziness that surrounds the Super Bowl.

This year, I feel that the two best teams from each conference made it, with the Steelers from the AFC and the Packers from the NFC. Here are a few of my observations leading up to the big game.

The Steelers

In the hunt for their third Super Bowl victory in the last six years, the Steelers looked dominant in their handling of the Jets in the AFC championship game. Love him or hate him, Ben Roethlisberger has shown he is a winner in this league, and things have gotten a lot easier with the emergence of Rashard Mendenhall at running back. He carried the ball 27 times for 121 yards and a touchdown against a pretty good Jets defense.

Speaking of defense, I’d like to put in my vote for Troy Polamalu as the best player in the league. Before you get all worked up, let’s look at some numbers.

Over the last two seasons, Pittsburgh was 6-7 when Polamalu didn’t play, and 16-4 when he was in the game. By comparison, the Steelers are 3-2 in that same time span when Big Ben didn’t play.

It amazes me how such a strong safety in the NFL can have such an impact, but Polamalu is the epitome of a playmaker. It seems he is always forcing a turnover or coming up with a big play when the game is on the line. It will be very interesting to see how the Packers’ offense handles this nasty, tenacious, and heavily fined Steelers defense. Is the Steel Curtain back?

The Packers

This took me awhile before my fingers could type it, but Aaron Rodgers is good. Really good. It really pains me to see the Packers playing for a ring, but they deserve to be there. They beat the Falcons, the team many considered to be the best team in the NFC, on the road. If you boil it down, the one reason the Packers are playing in the Super Bowl is because of their elite quarterback (take note Vikings).

Mike McCarthy has built a pretty decent team around Rodgers, including the studs he throws to: Jennings, Driver, and Jones to name a few. Could you imagine if this team still had Jermichael Finley? The third year tight end out of Texas tore up his knee in Week 5, incidentally causing my fantasy team to suffer, but that’s for another day.

Without much of a run game, and an even slimmer chance of running against the Steelers defense, it will be interesting to see how Rodgers does against a fierce Pittsburgh pass rush.

As we look at the Packer defense, I have two words: Clay Matthews. Much like Polamalu, Matthews has become an elite playmaker already in his young career. He can impact the game at any time with the dip of his shoulder and a crunching blow to the quarterback. He will have a big task in trying to take down Roethlisburger (listed at 6’5”, 241 lbs).

This year’s Super Bowl will be a good one. I’m leaning towards the Steelers, though. If the game doesn’t live up to expectations, we at least get the chance to have “I Gotta Feeling” stuck in our heads at halftime. Mazel tov.

Steelers supporters:

Marcus Traxler, Assistant Sports Editor

Yeah, yeah, history – we got it.

The Packers and Steelers are two of the most legendary teams of all-time and it should be a great game between two defenses that will likely try to impose their will on the opposing offense. They will fail because the NFL is about offense and both sides have very good, and easy-to-hate, quarterbacks.

Will the commercials be any good? Maybe. Will they be in 3D? Sadly. I’m predicting a cameo appearance by Jerry Jones during the Black Eyed Peas’ halftime show because everyone knows that he will try to steal the show. This is, after all, the JerryBowl. I will also be one of the thousands of people who will order pizza for the game, slowing everyone else’s order down.

As for my pick, I’ll take the Steelers, 34-24. Put a championship belt on that one, Rodgers.

Shane Koob, Sportswriter

As an avid Vikings fan, I am definitely pointing my support in the direction of Pittsburgh. It’s going to be a close game, but the Steelers have the upper hand in the game due to their outstanding defense. As we all know, defense wins championships, and when that defense is led by Troy Polamalu, good things usually happen.

I’m also hoping the NFL’s most fined player this year, James Harrison, has a huge game. I’m expecting at least two sacks from arguably the NFL’s hardest hitter.

This Sunday I’ll be watching the game, sipping on some Grain Belt Premium, and watching the Steelers win 24-17. Black and Yellow!

Dustin Veurink, Sportswriter

I did and did not want the Packers and Steelers in the Super Bowl.

I wanted this matchup because I thought it clearly was the best matchup of the four teams remaining. In the words of Bart Scott, I “can’t wait” for the Super Bowl.

I didn’t want this matchup because I don’t like either team. Let’s just say I’m a big fan of the stadium.

What’s up with Aaron Rodgers’ championship belt celebration? He hasn’t won a title. His celebration even has its own Facebook page. If he leads the Packers to a Super Bowl victory, then I approve the celebration and the page.

Turn up “Black and Yellow,” though, because I’m going for the Steelers. You know what it is.

Enjoy the game, the commercials, and halftime and be smart!

Travis Kreins, Sportswriter

As a sports writer, you are supposed to be neutral and unbiased. I will break that rule for the Super Bowl.

I hate the Packers, and they are number-one on my list written in Sharpie for most-hated teams. This is the third time I will suffer through a Green Bay Super Bowl, and I am not looking forward to it.

Obviously I want the Steelers. In most cases, I would root against a d-bag like Ben Roethlisberger, but even allegedly raping someone can’t overcome my hatred for the green and gold.

Packer backer:

Drue Aman, Sports Editor

I’ve got no armadillo in this fight.

Pittsburgh or Green Bay? AFC or NFC? Puppy Bowl or the Black Eyed Peas? Bud Light or Grain Belt?

It always comes down to quarterbacks. Which one has more like-ability? How good of a case could be made for Roethlisberger, a doughy, motorcycle-crashing, quasi-mobile quarterback from the Miami of Ohio? How about Aaron Rodgers, the always slightly-smirking, belt-wearing, secretive-Favre-basher Vikings fans hate because he doesn’t play for them?

Give me Rodgers and Green Bay. Sure, one guy on the entire roster has ever played in a Super Bowl before. There’s a great story of Aaron Rodgers and a few friends watching last season’s NFC Championship game in a bar and openly rooting against Favre and the Vikings. That’s enough for me.

The Pack Attack will be back. Now where did I put my beer?