Sports Talk: 2013 Super Bowl XLVII Predictions

As a correspondent sports writer for The Casey County News, I write an weekly editorial column for the publication. Published Jan. 30, 2013.

I won’t claim to be very knowledgeable about predicting the outcome on the big game on Sunday, but I will say I could have predicted the array of topics my Feedback For Rita Peat question would bring in.

We all know the hype of the Super Bowl has less to do with the two teams than it does the glitz and glamor (and $$$DOLLARS$$$) put into the media and entertainment that surrounds it.  It only makes sense that many, many of us tune in for the fun rather than the competition.

So what are area super bowl fans looking forward to this Sunday and what are the predictions?

Some look forward to the fun…

“Commercials!” –Lori Carmicle

“(I’m watching) because its the last time to watch football for months.” –Rachel Crabtree

“I don’t really care about the game so much, but I’m looking forward to seeing friends, watching the commercials and Destiny’s Child at halftime.”  –Miranda Townsend

“I'll be wearing my black and gold and watching all the crazy fans in our streets for the weekend. Welcome to N'Awlins, Y'all.” –Kristi (Dixon) Hornsby

Then it seems the crowd/fan/reader favorite is the Ravens!

“The Ravens winning!!!!!!” – Sheri Heimbrock Ingram

“49ers win, +10. The Ravens have been just okay against the run the last few games, and that's the 49ers strength (and they have been on fire). The 49ers run defense is money, and the younger Ray Lewis (Patrick Willis) is gonna have a big game. I think (Joe) Flacco will get rushed and flustered a lot, causing a few interceptions to an above average secondary. Defense will prevail. The ‘Niners are younger and faster on both sides of the ball, and with their strong run game they won't have to rely on freshman Colin (Kaepernick) too much.” –Jash Jaso

“My thought is, if Kaepernick wants to play next season, he needs to run away from the area that Ray Lewis is standing in. I think this game is gonna be a good one. A lot of heart on both sides of the field and a lot of talent to go with it. Ray Lewis is a leader and can get his team going and the Ravens are going to do everything they can to send Ray home with a ring as payback for 17 years(?) of dedication. 49'ers have came a long way this year, and well, I really have nothing to say about them. I honestly forgot they had a team until this year.” – John Casey

“Ray Lewis will defeat the 49ers….it is his destiny!” – Nic Dixon

“Predicting 49ers because QB has most tatts. Watching mostly for the ads.” – Hunt Helm

“I think the Ravens got it this year because they actually have a pretty decent offense and the defense is stepping up like always.” –Aaron Bertram

“I'm predicting the 49'ers in a big way. By 20, I bet.” – Eric Marr

“I can't wait to see Ray Lewis's last game and how emotional he will be. I also can't wait to see the sheer physicality that both teams play with. Should be a great game with the Ravens winning 27-21.” –Daniel Rigney

And easily my favorite response to the question was this:

“I think Doritos will take it again, despite a strong showing from Budweiser.“ – Scott Takacs

Have fun and be safe on Sunday!

Sports Talk: I’m recruiting YOU for sports commentary

As a correspondent sports writer for The Casey County News, I write an weekly editorial column for the publication. Published Jan. 16, 2013.

I was already scolded by my mother for not keeping my word and I cannot be sure how many of you other faithful readers of my column might have shaken a finger at me for not following through last week and explaining my second new year’s resolution as promised… (I just got a little excited about the Sugar Bowl is all…!)

So here goes…

Reading comments on Facebook, hearing friends, coworkers, family, and even complete strangers talk sports often makes me feel as though I know nothing about the sports world. But let’s be honest: it’s a big world. It’s quite a job to keep up with all of it… In fact there is a name for that: ESPN, and even they need more than one channel (ESPN2, ESPNU…) and they still can’t cover it all.

I want to be inclusive and accurate in more of the coverage and insights included in this column and I’m recruiting your help to do it.

I love reader feedback and involvement. I know Casey County is full of sports-lovers and some more passionate than I about certain sports, events, players and coaches. I am going to use one of my columns a month to include your thoughts, commentary, predictions and feedback on events in the sports world.

This is how it will work:

1 – Look for a question posed at the end of my column. I will try to typically leave the question open for response for at least two weeks. Having said that, I will add that I will also try to include some timely feedback so the window for response may not always be too long.

2 – I’ll take responses primarily two ways:
Email: rita_peat@hotmail.com
Twitter: @ritapeata
***This blog counts also...feel free to comment! :)

3 – I’ll compile some of the top responses for print and make you an official sports commentator.

So for the first question…

While I did more actively participate in my husband’s fantasy football team this year, I still cannot claim to be an avid NFL follower and everyone (non-sports fans included) knows the Super Bowl is just around the corner.

I want to hear your predictions! We won’t know the match up until after this weekend, but when we do, tell me your predicted score and which player(s) will make it happen.

No need to be shy when the time comes. Believe me, Facebook and the Internet in general make it quite clear how opinionated we all are when it comes to sports we follow, so have a little fun with it and share it on a larger scale.

Feedback for Rita “Peat”: What is your score prediction for the 2013 Super Bowl and who will the pivotal players be? Give a few details…

Email: rita_peat@hotmail.com or Twitter: @RitaPeata