County coaches unanimous in picking Steelers
Been there, done that.
With 23 players on their roster having played in a Super Bowl before compared to Green Bay's two, the Steelers' edge in experience will make a difference on the scoreboard Sunday.
That was the prime message delivered by Butler County football coaches when polled for their predictions on the outcome of Super Bowl XLV:
George Mihalik, Slippery Rock University — I have to pick the Steelers if I want to come home tonight. They've been there, done that for a while now and that experience makes a difference.When you have a quarterback who's done it before compared to one who hasn't, go with the experience.
Steelers 20, Packers 13MVP: Troy PolamaluScott Heinauer, Mars — The Steelers are the more veteran football team and there will be no panic mode as they go here.
The Pittsburgh defense will play well, but they'll need a good football game from Ben (Roethlisberger) to win. I think they'll get it.Steelers 31, Packers 28MVP: Ben Roethlisberger
<B><I>Don Holl, Seneca Valley — </B></I>I have three sons and none of them are Steeler fans. One likes Buffalo, one the Dallas Cowboys and my youngest actually likes Green Bay.It just makes sense to go with the Steelers defense. Everything they do starts with that unit. They get a lot of stops and supply a short field. And the team that's played in the big game before has a better chance to succeed.<I>Steelers 21, Packers 17MVP: Lawrence Timmons<br></br><br></br><br></br>
<B></I>Jeff Campbell, Moniteau — </B>I like the Steelers because of the better competition in the AFC. There's five or six teams from the AFC that were capable of playing in this game.The NFC? I don't think the Bears are that good, the Seahawks are horrible and the Packers got hot at the right time.<I>The Steelers have the Super Bowl experience and have faced the better competition.</I>Steelers 28, Packers 17MVP: Heath Miller<br></br><br></br><br></br>
<B><I>Chris McNany, A-C Valley — </B></I>The Steelers have more experience and know what this week is all about. Their defense has been playing well and they've got one of the best big-game quarterbacks in the league right now.Pittsburgh will be able to run the ball, too. Green Bay is 18th in the league against the run. Aaron Rodgers is great, but a first-time Super Bowl quarterback usually doesn't play his typical game there.<I>Steelers 34, Packers 24MVP: Ben Roethlisberger<br></br><br></br><br></br>
<B></I>Steve Sherer, Summit Academy — </B>Experience counts when you get to this point. The Steelers have been there, they're confident and they know what it takes to win a game like this.I like their defense and they should be able to run the ball on this team.<I>Steelers 27, Packers 24MVP: Rashard Mendenhall<br></br><br></br><br></br>
<B></I>Ed Conto, Karns City — </B>The Steelers will win because of that defense. Their defense has carried the offense all year and will keep this game close enough for Pittsburgh to win.If the NFL takes the gloves off James Harrison, he'll be the MVP. That award should go to a defensive guy, but they always give it to offense, so I'll go that way.<I>Steelers 17, Packers 14MVP: Hines Ward<br></br><br></br><br></br>
<B></I>Brendan Hathaway, Slippery Rock — </B>I think — I hope — the Steelers defense will present problems. The AFC is overall tougher and Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers defense have all the experience in a big game like the Super Bowl.Maybe the Packers will get there — just not this year.<I>Steelers 31, Packers 17MVP: Rashard Mendenhall<br></br><br></br><br></br>
<B></I>Dave Louder, Union — </B>The Steelers have the playoff and Super Bowl experience, especially the past five or six years. Green Bay has a great defense, but the Steelers' is proven the past 10, 12 years.“Troy Polamalu, he's been quiet the past couple of games, so I'm hoping he'll have his usual Troy Polamalu game. I'd love to see a defensive player get MVP, but. ...<I>Steelers 33, Packers 28MVP: Ben Roethlisberger<br></br><br></br><br></br>
<B></I>John Gaillot, Freeport — </B>I don't think the game will be as high scoring as last year a (37-36 Steelers win). Both defenses are very good, but Pittsburgh just has a way. They find a way to win.They've always been in it. It would be nice for it to be a blowout and I can relax. I expect Ben to come through and someone, one of the young guys, to step up, someone we didn't expect.<I>Steelers 21, Packers 17MVP: Ben Roethlisberger<B></I></B>
