Super Bowl Sunday is one day away, and according to The Nielsen Company, the big game holds five of the top six spots for the most viewed telecasts in history.
Super Bowl XLV snagged the No. 1 rating with 111 million viewers, but Super Bowl XLVII between the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers may top the ratings with the anticipation and excitement surrounding Sunday’s game.
Junior Zach Johnson said he will be staying in with his friends to watch the game.
“I will be watching it in my dorm room with my roommates and some friends,” Johnson said.
Freshman Tony Martin said he will be making a trip to spend time with family members.
“(I’m) going out to my family’s house out in Fargo to go watch the Super Bowl,” Martin said.
According to SI.com, a 30-second commercial in this year’s game is worth more than $4 million, which is a Super Bowl record. With the Super Bowl expected to run more than four hours, there will be plenty of time to eat game day food.
Sophomore Gabby Lozada said food is an important aspect of the Super Bowl, and that at her Super Bowl event, everyone will be bringing something to share.
“Food is important at any sporting event because people like to eat in general,” Lozada said. “We’re all supposed to bring something. It’s a potluck.”
Martin said food is crucial for big events in America.
“Food brings people together during an important event for this country, and who doesn’t like food?” Martin said.
But for many, the most important part of Sunday’s game isn’t the food or the company, it’s who will be crowned 2012-2013 National Football League champion. In an ESPN.com poll, the 49ers are favored over the Ravens 54 to 46 percent. Many students are making their own predictions on which team will triumph Sunday.
Johnson said he was pleased with the 49ers’ decision to bench quarterback Alex Smith for Kaepernick.
“I would like to see the 49ers win because I like what they have been able to do with their offense since switching quarterbacks,” Johnson said.
Lozada said she will cheer for the 49ers because of her ties to San Francisco.
“I like them more because my family just moved out there, and I have a soft spot for San Francisco,” Lozada said.
Martin said age and cohesiveness plays into winning on Sunday.
“The 49ers are going to win because Ray Lewis is getting old and Kaepernick is a clutch player,” Martin said.
Freshman Rachel Campbell said the Ravens will win and the wily veteran will go out on top.
“I want the Ravens to win so Ray Lewis can win another Super Bowl before he retires,” Campbell said.
Whichever way the tide turns, Sunday will be a busy day for football, food, family and friends.
Jesse Krull can be reached at krul7386@stthomas.edu.