Super Bowl XLII or 42?

Over the Christmas holidays I was shopping for a big clock to go in a living room. I noticed that instead of 4 o'clock being printed as IV, it was IIII. I laughed at first and then noticed it on several other clocks.

Did somebody somewhere change how we count in Roman numerals or something? Perhaps I just didn't get the memo.

All of the Super Bowls are numbered in Roman terms. This year it's XLII (or 42). It's not IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII. Education just isn't what it used to be. People get in a hurry, get lazy, roll through text messages and comments on myspace and before you know it they completely lose sight of proper grammar. Does anybody know the difference between to and too anymore? How about your and you're? Before you know it, we'll just have to look at the biggest sporting event of the season as The Next Super Bowl.

Can you tell I was an English minor?

Anyways, I was laughing today when columnists were saying the Patriots planned on spreading the field and constantly running 5-wide sets at the Giants on Sunday. Did they suddenly forget that New York has the best pass rush in the league? Can a pair of Pro Bowl defensive ends really be blocked that much one-on-one?

I guess we'll see soon enough. One thing to keep in mind is that cornerback Sam Madison was hurt when these two hooked up the first time. Also Aaron Ross left early with a shoulder injury.

I still think the Pats have too much experience and talent to lose a game like this, but it should be much closer than most are predicting.

My prediction: Patriots 31, Giants 27.