Once again, the “Big Game” is upon us, the bowl that is oh-so-super. Super Bowl XLIII airs Sunday and pits the Pittsburg Steelers against the Arizona Cardinals. This year Tampa will host this glorious party that just happens to have a football game somewhere in the midst of it all. Rabid fans, casual fans and those who really don’t give a damn will be sitting around a television helping make this the most-watched TV program of the year. Will you be watching? Here are 10 reasons why the Super Bowl definitely worth your time.

8. The Super Bowl gives students a plausible excuse for the Monday morning hangover.

At one point or another, most college students have spent time drumming up excuses for late homework, lack of coherence in class and tardiness. According to NFL reports, more than 148 million people in the United States watched the Giants and their miraculous stone slay the almighty Patriots, so there is a good chance a plentiful number of professors will be watching this year, too.

Sophomore Kelsey Smith says she wishes the game was on a Saturday, but figures she will make it work because she won’t be the only one lacking Monday morning energy.

7. The Super Bowl will showcase a wide variety of musical artists.

The musical talent performing before and during the game should be worth the time investment, says Prairie Village freshman Alicia Anderson.

Academy Award-winner Jennifer Hudson will valiantly step back into the spotlight to sing the national anthem. Hudson will be joined in the pre-game festivities by country diva Faith Hill, who will sing “America the Beautiful.”

Headlining the Bridgestone Super Bowl XLIII halftime show is Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. While the group may bear more popularity with older audiences, the excitement of what might happen thrills some. Ben Smith, Stilwell junior, says he will be watching in the event of a much-welcomed wardrobe malfunction.

6. You want to be in-the-know come Monday morning.

With millions of Americans gathering to watch the game, who wants to be out of the loop at the water cooler come Monday morning? Amanda Gage, Lawrence freshman, says she won’t be one of those few people who are at a loss for words when the game becomes the topic of conversation.

“It is a huge event in America that is recognized by so many companies and people all over the nation,” Gage says. “You feel like you should watch because if you don’t then you end up feeling as if you were left out and don’t know about something big that just happened.”

5. The Super Bowl offers a spicy mix of the old and the new (the classic dynasty vs. the up-and-comer).

The Pittsburgh Steelers have reached the season’s final game six times taking the Lombardi Trophy home with them on five occasions. They have been to the ‘ship and captured multiple crowns. Making it this far is nothing new to Steeler nation.

The Arizona Cardinals have a vastly different story. They trudged through the end of the season finishing 9-7, yet somehow capturing a division title. Reaching the postseason was a big step for a team that has long been the predictable losers; therefore, it was no surprise that no one gave them a chance to win even one game in the postseason.

Will the Steelers win a record sixth title, or will the Cardinals claim their first? Kansas alumnus Tom Hedrick, who did play-by-play for Super Bowls I, II and IV for CBS, says the battle on the field promises to be action-packed.

4. The Super Bowl offers a local tie to the Jayhawk community.

If you still couldn’t care less who wins the game, at least you will have a Jayhawk to cheer on and a Wildcat to jeer to pass the time. Pittsburgh center Justin Hartwig once called Lawrence home while Arizona linebacker Monty Beisel spent his academic days in another Kansas college town. Drew Garner, Leawood graduate student, says “it always helps to have a Hawk.”

3. The Super Bowl presents the perfect opportunity to throw a party, have a few drinks and share some giggles with 50 of your closest friends.

Basically every college student likes an excuse to party or at least to gather with a few friends. What better time is there to have a get together than Super Bowl Sunday?

Anderson says she will spend her Super Sunday with friends and family enjoying delicious food while Kansas alumnus Matt Johnson says he will probably party it up with his comrades and mix in a few 12-ounce curls. What will you be doing?

2. The commercials.

Despite economic uncertainty, the show must go on and go on it will. At $3 million a pop (or at leaast each 30-second ad), Anheuser-Busch, Pepsi and Doritos have locked up multiple spots according to NFL reports. General Motors intelligently shied away from its slots this year, possibly to fund their CEO’s trips from Detroit to Washington D.C. in their innovative hybrid SUV’s.

Miller High Life will even be airing one-second ads. A preview of them can be seen at www.1secondads.com.

1. The Super Bowl is a win-win for everyone who takes part.

Hardcore football fans get to watch the biggest game of the year, casual fans get a piece of the game and entertainment and those that really don’t give a damn can find some piece of the pie to fill their time. So really, everybody watching wins.

To put the cherry on top, Hedrick says, “It’s the Super Bowl … don’t you have to watch?”