Pete's Blog: Super Bowl XLV from Ozzie's

Ozzie's on Washington Avenue is the place to be in St. Louis for the Super Bowl. The pre-game festivities feature free brats, cheap beers, and the ability to sign up for a raffle sponsored by the bar. 

The sports bar will basically be a makeshift Pittsburgh embassy in St. Louis, as owner Roberto Gallordo said he is expecting up to 150 Steeler fans in their upstairs room. I've been told that come game time, the first floor of the bar will be sound like a war zone with foot stomping accompanying each big play made by Pittsburgh. It goes without saying, but Green Bay fans should steer clear of the upstairs like the 38th parallel in Korea. 

Fans started to file in around 1 p.m. today, and the place was starting to get packed with Black and Gold by 3 p.m.. Bloging will be live during the game, taking pictures of the action in the bar, meeting all sorts of NFL fans, and enjoying the electric atmosphere with people who have a genuine stake in the outcome. 

The game itself is shaping up to be an absolute war between two teams that are evenly matched. Pittsburgh's experience, big play defense and controversial QB Ben Roethlisberger will go up against Green Bay's high-powered offense, excellent pass rush and star in the making, QB Aaron Rodgers. 

This is one of the toughest Super Bowls to predict in recent memory, and many NFL experts are confident that it will go down to the wire. I am predicting a Steeler victory (both based on analysis, and self preservation). I also think the game will be the first ever Super Bowl to go to overtime, with Troy Polamalu taking an interception for a touchdown to cement the win and his MVP performance. 

If that's the case, there's a solid chance that the Downtown area may register on the Richter Scale, and Ozzie's will see a celebration that hasn't happened this time of year since the Rams glorified "Greatest Show on Turf" beat Tennessee in 2000. 

Stay tuned for more updates throughout the game.