Lines have been drawn in the turf.Professional football fans have picked their favorites for today’sXLVI Super Bowl in Indianapolis.

    Hopefully all the pregame hype will not lead to a dull,disappointing game. Two of the NFL’s best coaches, New England’sBill Belichick and New York’s Tom Coughlin, will be onthe  sidelines today.Kickoff is 5:29 p.m. on NBC.

    From a Mississippi standpoint, New York quarterback Eli Manning andlinebacker Michael Boley both have their roots in the MagnoliaState. Manning and his wife, Abby, have a home in Oxford where hestarred for the Ole Miss Rebels.

    Boley is a former Southern Miss star who has made a major impactwith the Giants. Both Manning and Boley are former winners of theConerly Trophy, recognizing the best college player in the MagnoliaState.

 

 

    This column polled area high school and junior college coaches fortheir prediction on the game. Several of them revealed their deeployalty to the San Francisco 49ers and New Orleans Saints. Maybenext year.

    Give the coaches some applause. They deserve it. Ten of the 16coaches picked the Giants to win.

    Glenn Davis, Co-Lin: I’m a Patriots fan. I like Bill Belichick andthe way they do things. New England 35-21.

    Wade Henderson, Brookhaven: I hope New York wins. I was pulling forSan Francisco. I think New England’s defense is outstanding andBill Belichick is like the Nick Saban of the NFL. New England24-17.

    Randall Huffman, Loyd Star: I’m going with New York. They haveenough people back healthy and they play good defense. New York24-17.

    Casey Eubanks, Enterprise: I was heart-broke when the 49ers wentdown. I don’t like the Giants. I’ll go with the Patriots but itwill be tough. New England 27-24.

    Gareth Sartin, Bogue Chitto: I’m favoring the Giants. Eli Manningis playing really well. Their front four on defense is extremelyhard to block. New York 24-17.

    Tripp McCarty, Brookhaven Academy: I am a huge Tom Brady fan. I’mfor the Patriots the whole way. New England 31-21.

         Chris Calcote, WestLincoln: I’m going for Manning but I don’t think they can beat NewEngland. The Patriots have been more consistent and they areplaying better defense. New England 34-21.

    Tommy Clopton, Wesson: I’m pulling for the Giants. I’ve alwaysliked them. They are playing a lot better right now. Eli Manning isabout as  hot as you canget. New York 28-24.

         Randal Montgomery,Hazlehurst:  I’m a Cowboysfan but I am leaning toward the Giants. I like Michael Boley andEli Manning. That Giants defensive line will take over. New York27-24.

    Scotty Cline, Copiah Academy: I’m pulling for the Giants and Eli. Ilike the way Coughlin coaches. New York 35-31.

    Mike Davis, Lawrence County: I think the Giants will win. They havea great defense and the have been on a roll. New York 27-17.

    Chris Smith, North Pike: I’m an AFC guy. I’ve got to pull for theGiants. The difference is going to be made in the front four. NewYork 24-17.

    Mike Powell, Parklane Academy: I like Brady and I like Manning. Itshould be pretty exciting. I’m going to go with the Patriots. NewEngland 31-28.

    Willie Brown, South Pike: It looks like the Giants will winit.  Eli Manning is playingreal good. New York 21-14.

    Ricky O’Quinn, Franklin County: I’m going with the Giants. Eli is ahome guy so I’m going for him., Plus, they beat my team, the 49ers.New York 28-24.

    Charles Anthony, Southwest: I’m picking the Giants. I feel likethey are better defensively than the Patriots. The pass rush thatthe Giants have will be an edge. They can match up on offense andscore points. New York 30-27.

    Tom Goetz, Daily Leader: We hope Eli, Michael and the Giants canmake it happen. Defense wins championships. New York 30-28.

 

    Contact sports editor Tom Goetz by Email:tgoetz@dailyleader.com