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What this game needs is a one-for-the-ages upset.
According to the Times-Leader’s annual Super Bowl Poll of area prep coaches and media reps, it aint happening this year.
An overwhelming majority like New England to rule and many even feel viewing all the creative $2.7 million ads could steal the spotlight.
Here’s to perfection:
JAY CIRCOSTA, Monroe Central — Giants are on a roll but New England excels in all facets. PATRIOTS, 34-17.
MARK NARDONE, Wheeling Park — New England takes advantage of every opportunity and they score touchdowns in the red zone. PATRIOTS, 34-13.
RON POBOLISH, Buckeye Local — Too much Tom Brady…again. PATRIOTS, 35-17.
KIM NORTH, Times Leader Sports Writer— Another Super Bowl title for a Manning. GIANTS, 27-24.
DAVE BRUNEY, Martins Ferry — New England’s a team that pays strict attention to detail. An opportunity to make history is more than enough motivation. PATRIOTS, 31-21.
MARK CISAR, Union Local — On a good playing surface, look out for Tom Brady! PATRIOTS, 45-17.
ROB CALDWELL, Tyler Consolidated — Week 17 gave the Giants false hope. It’ll be all New England tonight. PATRIOTS, 34-17.
SETH STASKEY, Times Leader Sports Editor — Brady etches his name even deeper into Super Bowl and NFL lore with another big performance. Look for Randy Moss to catch two TD passes and win MVP honors. PATRIOTS, 31-14.
MARK HINERMAN, John Marshall — Giants will be competitive, but….PATRIOTS, 30-20.
JOHN DURDINES, Bishop Donahue — New England has way too much motivation. They will roll. PATRIOTS, 34-7.
RENO SACCOCCIA, Steubenville — Giants snuck up on them in regular season, but this one’s for all the marbles. PATRIOTS, 28-24.
ROB METZGER, WTOV TV 9 — New England to finish what it started. PATRIOTS, 31-21.
BRETT MCLEAN, St. Clairsville — New England’s offense can’t be stopped. Expect Randy Moss to get loose for some big catches. PATRIOTS, 31-10.
MIKE ANTHONY, WTRF TV 7 — It’ll be party ‘tynes’ for the Giants who are on a postseason roll on the road. GIANTS, 31-30.
JUSTIN KROPKA, Harrison Central — A good Super Bowl matchup but New England has too many playmakers. PATRIOTS, 31-28.
MIKE YOUNG, Wheeling Central — Giants may be at top of their game but New England has been there all season. PATRIOTS, 30-16.
GREGG BAHEN, Steubenville Central — Giants are hottest team in the postseason. With their ball-control game, they can pull it out. GIANTS, 24-21.
ROBERT, “BUBBA’’ KAPRAL, T-L Managing Editor — Giants played New England down to the wire in week 17. Having said that, it’ll still be all Pats. They’re too well-coached and talented to fall short now. PATRIOTS, 34-14.
B.J. DEPEW, Linsly — One way or another, we’ll see history made in this Super Bowl. There should be plenty of offense. PATRIOTS, 34-21.
TIM WILSON, Shenandoah — New England’s offense has been unstoppable most of the season. Nothing changes tonight. PATRIOTS, 28-13.
RON PAUL, Wellsville — No way will the Giants hang with New England in this rematch. PATRIOTS, 38-7.
JOHN SIMONSON, WWVA 1170 — New England can basically score at will. I can’t see the Giants stopping them. PATRIOTS, 45-35.
BRIAN CONNELLY, Toronto — Look for Giants’ defensive backs to play a key role in this Super Bowl upset. GIANTS, 27-24.
KIM APPOLLONI, Times Leader — I want to see a perfect season and believe New England will get it done. PATRIOTS, 28-24.
MIKE FLANNERY, River — Defense wins championships as do Belichick and Brady. PATRIOTS, 30-17.
DON BUSH, Zanesville Rosecrans — New England rates an edge on both sides of the ball. PATRIOTS, 24-21.
RUDY VAVROCK, Bridgeport — New England has too much experience and the AFC is a superior conference. PATRIOTS, 35-28.
RICK DELUCA, Times Leader — New York’s defense is playing at the highest level. Look for them to pressure Brady into a few mistakes. GIANTS, 21-17.
RANDY THOMPSON, Buckeye Trail — Giants are peaking at right time and playing as well as anyone. GIANTS, 28-24.
DAVE REITTER, Brooke — The Patriots have been able to adapt to all of their opponents. I?look for Welker to be a key in the game. PATRIOTS, 27-19.
BRENT CROASMAN, Paden City — New England: Been there, done that. PATRIOTS, 35-14.
BOB KRAMER, Weirton Madonna — Can’t buck a winner who’s got it done 18 times in a row. PATRIOTS, 27-17.
DAVE CALDWELL, Beallsville — If Tom Brady is healthy, he and his teammates go down in history. PATRIOTS, 38-10.
KURT STUBBS, WWVA 1170 — Giants’ defense can’t contain New England over four quarters. PATRIOTS, 42-20.
STAN PAWLOSKI, Times Leader Wire Editor — In warm temps on a dry track, New England has way too much firepower. They wrap up a perfect season but are extended until the fourth quarter. PATRIOTS, 39-28.
JOEL JOSEPH, T-L?Photographer — Giving Beleichik two weeks to prepare is disaster for the opposing team. Brady could wear his foot boot in this one and pick apartt the Giant secondary, even a restraining won’t keep Moss out of the endzone for this one. PATRIOTS, 34-20.
ANDREW CONNOR, Indian Creek — New England has a great offense and underrated defense. PATRIOTS, 31-14.
SCOTT NOLTE, WTRF TV 7 — I look for New York to end New England’s run at perfection. GIANTS, 28-24.
GREGG BONAR, Bellaire — Even if Brady’s not 100 percent, he’ll still dominate. PATRIOTS, 30-21.
MIKE MCKENZIE, Edison — Two weeks for Belichick to prepare is more than enough. PATRIOTS, 31-18.
RICK GOODRICH, Cambridge — New England is destined. PATRIOTS, 34-17.
GREGG MONTGOMERY, Times Leader — In their first meeting, New England led in first downs, time of possession and points scored. A repeat performance. PATRIOTS, 38-20.
DAVE BLOMQUIST, WWVA 1170 — Brady wins another MVP. Eli is still Peyton’s little brother. PATRIOTS, 28-10.
RICH WRIGHT, Beaver Local — I always root for the underdog but it’s hard to imagine Giants denying New England a 19-0 season. PATRIOTS, 31-21.
BRIAN COOK, Times Leader — Everyone has to lose once. GIANTS, 34-21.
DON SLOAN, WTOV TV 9 — New England takes advantage of the fast track in Arizona. PATRIOTS, 35-10.
TY FLEMING, Shadyside — I look for the red-hot Giants to avenge their regular season loss. GIANTS, 27-24.
JOHN KOCHER, Valley — New England rates an edge at the skill positions. PATRIOTS, 24-17.
SCOTT HOLT, St. John Central — New York can’t keep up with New England’s potent offense. PATRIOTS, 34-20.
SONNY BIDWELL, Fort Frye — Giants make a game of it, but experience makes the difference. PATRIOTS, 21-14.
RICH GIBSON, Times-Leader — Hard to imagine New England not sealing the deal, though the Giants should score some points. PATRIOTS, 40-21.
Gibson can be reached at rgibson@timesleaderonline.com