Ho hum.I should be in my full blown football fan glory. It's two days before Super Bowl XLIII but, sadly, I am not one bit excited.

Why? I ask myself. Myself - simply shrugs her shoulders in disinterest.

Ah, that's it; it's the reason for my disinterest in this game. The Steelers, been there, done that. The Cardinals, never been there, never done that, with good reason.

Kurt Warner is once again rising from the stock room dust, ashes and pallets to lead a potent offense against a solid as a rock NFL defensive juggernaut; Big Ben was the youngest quarterback to win a Super Bowl and now his coach, 32 year old Mike Tomlin is the youngest NFL coach to coach a Super Bowl.

I guess that's a pretty good story. So, why do I feel so damned disconnected from this game?

Maybe because the lowest seed in the playoffs, the Cardinals, who were victorious in the weakest division in the NFL made it to the Super Bowl. While, my 49ers, didn't. Ok, that makes some sense in a spiteful, sour grapes, primal, catty, sort of way.

On the AFC side of the Championship game the Pittsburgh Steelers featuring Big Ben and a "D" that makes strong men weep are ready to kick some Warner butt.
But, if they get the "W" on Sunday, they will pass my beloved 49ers in the Super Bowl bling category. The Steelers will have six Super Bowl Rings to my Niners Five. Ah, finally, a moment of competitive clarity!

I am actually beginning to get mildly aroused by this Super Bowl.

Going into the season the authorities on all things NFL (Sports Illustrated) made the following predictions.

AFC East

Patriots 13-3

Well we all now that the Brady Bunch found a new Cassel but couldn't go all the way.

AFC North
Steelers - 10-6
Good call and the only team to live up to pre-season expectations

AFC South

Colts 11-5
The Colts and Peyton fought the good fight, but they couldn't close the deal

AFC West

Chargers 13-3

Not even close

NFC East

Eagles 12-4

In a world gone mad, this would make sense, and this is exactly where we are.

NFC North

Vikings 13-3

Close but no cigar.

NFC South

Buccaneers 9-7

The Bucs folded at the end and Chucky is gone.

NFC West

Seahawks 9-7

The surprise party continues in Arizona

Super Bowl XLIII

Patriots 26 Eagles 23

So.the experts were not even within sniffing distance as it turns out. But, hey, hindsight is 20/20. I don't get paid the big bucks so I do not have to be right or even close. But my fellow femmefans have asked, "Ivette who do you pick in the Super Bowl?" So I am going on record with my Super Bowl XLIII prediction.
Word to the wise, don't put any dough on it!

Super Bowl XLIII

Cardinals will upset the Steelers in one of the most surprising Super Bowls ever.
The Steelers will put pressure on Kurt Warner but he will burn them with different receiver sets and the Cardinals will actually use Edgerrin James effectively.

The Steelers will have their terrible towels flying but it will be the lowly Cardinals who will hoist the Lombardi Trophy.

Cardinals 24 - Steelers 20

Read it and weep.