The Super Bowl has superseded several real holidays to become perhaps the largest American spectacle of the year. Millions of NFL fans love watching the game, and millions more simply enjoy the parties, commercials and halftime show. Then there is the betting community: The true sports nuts who cannot imagine watching games without betting on what color Gatorade will be poured on the winning coach. Prop bets are one of the most unique traits of Super Bowl Sunday, but they can be tough to predict. In order to better serve our readers, we here at Music Times have decided to help you out with some of them for Super Bowl XLIX.
Let's break it down with some help from Bovada, where we snagged these lines:
How long will it take Idina Menzel to sing the national anthem? More than 2 minutes, 1 second (-135) or under (-105)?
Luckily, we have something to work off of here. Menzel sang the anthem at this past summer's MLB All-Star Game in Minneapolis, and she clocked in at just under two minutes. That version was a bit drawn out, and she paused before her last line to allow the U.S. Air Force to sail over the stadium.
We say: Under.
Will Idina Menzel forget or omit at least one word of the national anthem? Yes (+400) or No (-600)?
She has not had trouble with the song before, but you can quadruple your money if she makes just one tiny mistake. The reward for betting "No" is too litte, and greater stars have flubbed the anthem.
We say: Yes.
Will Marshawn Lynch grab his crotch after scoring a touchdown in the game? Yes (+230) or No (-290)?
If the man scores a touchdown, there is little doubt he will grab his crotch. But there is an interesting caveat on the Bovada site: Your "No" bet is still a winner even if he does not score a single time.
Still ... we say: Yes.
How many times will Katy Perry be mentioned in the first half? More than two (-160) or under (+120)?
In this bet, the half technically ends when the final whistle is blown in the second quarter. You can definitely bet that Perry will be mentioned at least one time, but three? That is a stretch.
We say: Under, but you will probably get your money back in a push.
Will New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick smile during the game on camera? Yes (+230) or No (-170)?
No.
How many times will "deflated balls" be said during the game? More than three (-150) or under (+110)?
We sense that this one is a trap. The classic case of a topic being so overwrought that the announcers decide to make a stand by not mentioning it at all. But #DeflateGate was simply too big to ignore, especially with new evidence being reported on the day of the game.
We say: Over.
How many viewers will the game have? More than 113 million (-300) or Less (+200)?
If you are betting against the NFL breaking a ratings record, you are a fool.
We say: More.
Who will the Super Bowl MVP mention first in his interview? Teammates (8/5), God (2/1), Fans/City (6/1), Owner (12/1), Coach (15/1), Family (15/1) or none of the above (5/2)?
This is tough and almost requires the bettor to predict which player will win the award. Smart money says it will be a quarterback. If Tom Brady is selected, count on "Teammates," but if it is Russell Wilson, "God" is a shoe-in. Sleeper pick? Marshawn Lynch winning and saying absolutely nothing.
In honor of Marshawn, we say: None of the above.
