Yes! I get the last word on the big game before it happens.

Of course, I’m referring to the Super Bowl. Right about now, I might bet that you’re wondering who will win the big one in New Orleans: the cold weather monsters of the NFC, otherwise known as the Green Bay Packers, or those upstart and vicious fighters from the Boston area, the New England Patriots. Let’s take a look at a few questions about the game, shall we?

1) Which is the hotter team through the playoffs?

Just looking at the stats from the two playoffs the teams played, the edge here will have to go to the Pack. In cruising to wins in bad weather over the 49ers and the Panthers, the Packers have been calm, cool, and calculated in their attack. Led by 2-time MVP Brett Favre, the offense has zoomed, with Favre passing for 349 yards in both games. Their running game has been bolstered finally by some decent backs, with Edgar Bennett and Eugene Levens providing the extra push.

The Patriots, on the other hand, have somewhat struggled. They needed some late heroics from their defense to beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 20-6 in the AFC Championship Game, and the offense, with Drew Bledsoe and Curtis Martin, hasn’t exactly shined. The defense, however, has been just plain awesome, allowing only nine points in the playoffs, not to mention no touchdowns.

2) Can Drew Bledsoe play in the big games?

In his fourth season after being drafted number one overall in 1992 from Washington State, Bledsoe is finally beginning to show signs he can play with the big boys. In this year’s playoffs, he threw for 342 yards on 34 completions and 57 attempts. However, he only had one touchdown pass, with three interceptions. Good enough to get the Pats to the Super Bowl, but not exactly all that spectacular.

3) Will the Patriots be affected by their coach’s leaving?

Earlier this week, coach Bill Parcells announced that this would be his last game as coach of the Patriots, reportedly because of differences with owner Bob Kraft. Of course, the Patriots will be pumped up for the game (it’s the Super Bowl, come on), but this might provide a little extra edge for them.

4) Will the lack of Super Bowl experience hurt the Packers?

Only two players on the Packers’ roster, wide receiver Don Beebe (Super Bowls XXV-XXVIII with Buffalo) and backup quarterback Jim McMahon (Super Bowl XX with Da Bears) have played in a previous Super Bowl. This shouldn’t hurt too much, mainly because the truly great teams win despite odd stuff like this. Also, Beebe and McMahon can provide the younger players with tips on how to handle the pressures and atmosphere of the big game, not to mention McMahon, having played his last Super Bowl in New Orleans, can let the others know where to and not to be during the week and how to handle the intense media.

5) Tell us! Who will win the game?

Everything factored in, this fan will have to give the game to the Packers, who will simply be too much for the Patriots. Green Bay by a bunch.

Rob Daniel is a junior in journalism and mass communication.