'Race' to the Super Bowl

For many years, the Super Bowl attracts the largest number of viewers for one event in all of sports. This year should be no exception when the Indianapolis Colts and Chicago Bears do battle this Sunday on CBS. Kickoff is slated for 5:25.

Here's what you need to know heading into the big game.

Super Bowl XLI is SB 41 for those of you Roman numerically challenged.

The game takes place in Miami for the ninth time. Why is this important? Well let's just say the propensity of a player getting into trouble down in South Beach increases ten-fold.

The last time the SB was held in Miami -- Atlanta Falcon's starting safety Eugene Robinson, winner of the Bart Starr Award for his "high moral character", was caught trolling for hookers. Anything is possible.

In case you haven't heard, Lovie Smith and Tony Dungy moonlight as NFL head coaches. If you were just tuning in this week after missing the entire season; the media would have you believing they are in the big game only because they are black.

How long after Jackie Robinson became the first black baseball player did it take for America to understand the impact? Was it prior to his first game in uniform?

Of course not. But for some reason in today's instant gratification society, we try to answer questions rather than let the events unfold in due time.

Only time will place this historic event into perspective. We do know this. Tulsa had a hand, albeit a small one, in the preparation of one of the coaches.

Lovie Smith played and coached at the University of Tulsa. He roamed the defensive backfield as starting strong safety from 1976-79. In 1981, he coached up the Commando's from Cascia Hall.

He started his collegiate coaching career at TU in 1983 and lasted until '86. His knowledge of the game speaks for itself. It's too bad race still stigmatizes conversation in 2007.

The polarization of race belittles his accomplishments. Instead of answering questions about game preparation, he will be subjected to one hour of "how long have you been a black coach" type questions.

That sounds ridiculous right? Just ask Doug Williams how moronic the media circus can be during SB week. Williams, the starting quarterback for the Washington Redskins in SB 22 was asked -- "How long have you been a black quarterback?" Honestly.

Oh, by the way there is a game to be played between the lines. The Chicago Bears return to the big game for the first time since SB XX back in 1986. Everyone remembers the Super Bowl Shuffle video right?

The '07 version of the Bears is also riding a scorching-hot defense into the championship game. Brian Urlacher anchors the impressive unit. His athleticism from the middle linebacker position is unparalleled in today's game.

The defense is not exactly the "Monsters of the Midway" but they are pretty damn close. They have a fairly large following here in Green Country.

The team is littered with former OU Sooners to boot. Runnels, Bradley, Dvoracek and Harris are familiar names in this part of the country. Defensive end and standout rookie Mark Anderson attended Alabama but grew up in Tulsa.

George Halas would be proud of this team and coach Smith. They pound the ball with two starting caliber running backs. They excel at special teams.

The only question mark looms as large as the Sears Tower over Chicago. 'Sexy' Rexy Grossman has a certain panache for the dramatics. He could come out and throw three touchdowns and win the game.

He could also toss 3 picks before halftime and get benched. The following Monday morning you wouldn't be totally shocked either way. He is up-and-down like a rollercoaster at Bell's. Back when Bell's Amusement Park still existed of course.

Pound the rock, stop the run and don't turn the ball over. It is much easier said than done. Coach Smith has his team focused.

Not many coaches would have stuck with Grossman during his horrific play down the stretch of the regular season. His perseverance has paid off. Now Chicago needs to pay the man his money. He earns the lowest salary of any head coach. Go Green!

Honestly, what can be said about their opponent that hasn't already been said already? Head coach Tony Dungy is a class act. His coaching tree has earned him respect and earned opportunities for many black coaches including Lovie Smith.

The Indianapolis Colts haven't played on the biggest stage since SB V. Of course they were the Baltimore Colts back them. It was also the most unwatchable SB of all time.

Peyton Manning is the most prolific passer over the past decade. And, he pushes more products than QVC and HSN combined. Cell phones, credit cards, Direct TV -- you name it. No ad is too big or too small.

Never has a quarterback been held to a higher standard. He was league MVP in 2004 and has seven straight years with more than 4,000 yard through the air. However, naysayers will remind us that 'he has never won the Big Game'.

Of course depending on which game he wins, the media redefines what the 'Big Game' is. At first he couldn't win in the playoffs. Then he couldn't beat Tom Brady. Now, if he loses in the SB, he will again be a choker on the grandest of stages.

This is rubbish mind you. However, you will be subjected to talking heads debating whether or not he can ever get the job done if he loses this weekend.

But a funny thing happened on the way to XLI in Miami. The Colts started playing a little D. It's amazing to think this team was a league worst 32nd against the run this year.

Manning was forced to outgun Tom Brady in the AFC Championship. Otherwise, he has merely handed off to his running backs and sliced up the secondary occasionally. Same formula John Elway used to finally break through.

Interesting to note is that for all the accolades--and rightfully so--thrown to the Colts offense, the Bears average 26.7 points per game. The exact same as Indy.

Did I mention both coaches were black? The over and under on stories leading into the game on this subject is 1,386. I'll take the over.

Speaking of betting lines, the SB always brings the greatest action. Football boards give everyone in the office a chance. The more experienced bettor can place wages on the coin toss, the first player to score a touchdown, the first turnover, longest field goal and so on and so forth.

The Colts opened as a seven-point favorite and the line has held steady. The over and under on total points scored is 49. Last year I gave you Budweiser over Miller Lite as a mortal lock. Winner.

This year, take a cue from Wesley Snipes in "Passenger 57". Always bet on black (coaches). Actually, Colts win! Sorry Lovie -- I'm just another doubter.