2015 NFL season kicks off tonight on the Road to Super Bowl 50

Steelers		7:30 PM
Patriots

Super Bowl 49 champion New England Patriots host NFL opener against Pittsburgh Steelers in Foxboro at 7:30 p.m. on NBC.

Sunday Bowl Game tonight, after busy day in the NFL with Steelers vs. Packers going down to the Wire

Next up on Sunday, December 20, 2009:
7:30 p.m. Central Time kickoff on ESPN
New Orleans Bowl from New Orleans, LA
Sun Belt vs. C-USA
Middle Tennessee vs. Southern Mississippi

The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders finished 7-1 in the Sun Belt in 2009, with an overall record of 9-3 on the season. While the Southern Miss Golden Eagles, they finished third in the C-USA East Division with a 5-3 record, 7-5 overall. An ESPN audience can tune in to see the Blue Raiders vs. the Golden Eagles square off in the Louisiana Super Dome.

Southern Miss is returning to the New Orleans Bowl in 2009 again, after finishing 7-6 in 2008 with a 30-27 OT win over Troy. The Golden Eagles are 9-8 overall in bowl games. Coach Larry Fedora is in his second season at the helm for the Golden Eagles.

Middle Tennessee State is coming off a 5-7 record in 2008. The Blue Raiders are making only their second bowl trip ever in the school's history. The Blue Raiders lost 14-31 to Central Michigan in the 2006 Motor City Bowl. Coach Rick Stockstill is in his fourth season at the helm for the Blue Raiders.

Middle Tennessee State enters the game on a six game win streak. The wins all came in conference play. Southern Miss lost their final conference game to lose out in an opportunity for the C-USA Title in 2009.

Prediction:

Southern Miss 30, Middle Tennessee State 17

In the NFL today: Pittsburgh beats Green Bay 37-36 on the final play of the game. Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin's failed onside kick attempt with the Steelers up 30-28 late provided plenty of drama for everyone watching. But, the Steelers took the ball all the way down the field in the final two minutes. Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger's career high 503 yards passing and a final TD pass from 18 yards on the final play of the game was the difference. Wow!

peace

Super Bowl 43: Kurt Warner represents the State of Iowa today

To most in the USA, Super Bowl 43 is a match up between the AFC's Pittsburgh Steelers and the NFC's Arizona Cardinals. But, to most people in the State of Iowa, Super Bowl 43 is about native son, QB Kurt Warner, being back in the biggest football game of the season.

His home town paper, The Gazette, put together a 12 game spread in today's paper headlined:

C.R.'s Warner Returns to Football's Biggest State

SUPER AGAIN

Growing up, I have always been a Pittsburgh Steelers fan, behind the Green Bay Packers and others. I guess the Black & Gold didn't hurt, while Terry Bradshaw & company were stepping up and getting it done in the NFL. I don't recall ever rooting against the Steelers before in a Super Bowl. But, today, as an Iowan, I have to go with the local feel good story, with Kurt Warner.

It's great to see Warner get back to the elite game, after three outstanding seasons in St. Louis, ironically, the prior home of the now Arizona Cardinals. Warner played high school football in Cedar Rapids. He went up the road to the University of Northern Iowa, but didn't start until his final year, as a fifth year senior.

From Hy-Vee Food Stores to the Arena Football League to the National Football League, Kurt Warner has clearly been a Cinderella Story. A win today leading his Arizona club over Pittsburgh could lead the way to a Hall of Fame spot for Warner in Canton. Another outstanding accomplishment, since no Iowa native sits in the NFL Hall of Fame.

Of course, today is about the game, a classic chess match between the defensive minded Pittsburgh Steelers and the offensive minded Arizona Cardinals.

Game Forecast:

Pittsburgh's defense is allowing six points more in the postseason, as compared the the regular season. On the flop side, Arizona's defense is playing stronger in the postseason. This should be a good game. Turnovers will be huge, as could special teams.

Here's to a great Super Bowl today. Hopefully, Kurt Warner will help his team bring home the Trophy.

peace

Super Bowl XLIII - Pittsburgh (AFC) vs. Arizona (NFC)

We countdown to Super Bowl 43 . With Iowa's native son, Kurt Warner, starting QB for the Arizona Cardinals facing the Pittsburgh Steelers, it should make for some interesting story lines for this year's Super Bowl.

Super Bowl history.... from last year's 17-14 New York Giants win to Super Bowl I and the Green Bay Packers!

Computer simulation projects a Steelers win 20-14 - USA Today
Another close game would be outstanding for the Super Bowl and it's viewers. We can't just live on commercials can we on February 1?

Is Hall of Fame in Warner’s future? - Vancouver Sun,
Kurt Warner clearly appears to be on his way into the Hall of Fame... but, you never want to count your chickens until they hatch.

NFL: Super Bowl security to be tight in Tampa - The Associated Press

Super Bowl Ben thanks his wife - Melbourne Herald Sun

peace

January 25, 2009 - One Week from Super Bowl XLIII

Leaving church this morning, I visited briefly with a women, who like me was heading out to her car... I commented about the weather and said hello, her initial response was...

"What are we going to do with no football?"

So, I asked her who she was rooting for for the Super Bowl? She said, "I am University of Northern Iowa graduate." We didn't' have to say anymore about that one.

I have always enjoyed the Pittsburgh Steelers back during the 1970s and early 1980s under coach Chuck Noll. But, as a Cedar Rapidian and Iowan, I have to go with the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII (that's 43, if you don't know your Roman numerals). After all, Arizona starting QB Kurt Warner is a native of Iowa, a Cedar Rapids Regis graduate (now a middle school) and one-year starter for the University of Northern Iowa Panthers (now home of my oldest).div>

What are we going to do with no football?

I'll leave that for another day, since we have college football signing day approaching in early February. And, we still have the game of the year in professional football next Sunday. Let's welcome in Super Bowl XLIII week tomorrow.

Today, I'll relax with some classical music and the arts tonight.

peace