The rivalry may not be as big as Red Sox-Yankees, but across campus, New England Patriots and New York Giants fans are divided heading into the Super Bowl match-up between the two teams.
Giants fan Dan Kagdis ’10 and his Loyola roommate, Dan Kochanowicz ’10, a Patriots fan, will not be watching the game together.
“I’m going to have to go into another room,” said Kagdis. “I don’t think I could stand watching it with him.”
Kochanowicz agreed with his roommate, “I would get mad if Dan was cheering and would rather be around other Patriots fans for a better environment.”
The Patriots are aiming for the first 19-0 season in NFL history and would join the 1972 Miami Dolphins as the only other undefeated Super Bowl champions.
Meanwhile, the Giants are riding high after three road playoff victories over Tampa Bay, Dallas, and Green Bay. They are 13-6 after claiming the second Wild Card spot in the NFC.
The two teams met in the final game of the regular season, and the Giants played the Patriots as well as any other team has all season, before falling 38-35.
NFL Most Valuable Player Tom Brady leads the Patriots after setting an NFL record with 50 touchdown passes on the season, 23 to wide receiver Randy Moss, who also broke a record for most touchdowns.
Eli Manning leads the Giants’ offense and seems to have finally reached the level that made him a first-overall pick in the NFL draft four years ago.
The Patriots and Giants both have solid defenses. Michael Strahan and Junior Seau, two of the top defensive players of their era, are both aiming for their first Super Bowl rings after losing twice during the mid-90s.
“I think the Patriots are going to win,” said Kevin McGreen ’10, “because Tom Brady is Jesus Christ.”
Kagdis said he thinks the defense for the Giants, led by Strahan and a group of young, hungry players, will stop the Patriots’ high-octane offense.
“I think the Patriots will win because they are one of the best offenses ever,” said Kochanowicz. “Belichick had two weeks to prepare, so they should be ready.”
The tension between Giants and Patriots fans is nowhere near as high as when the Red Sox and Yankees square off, but it is still there.
“We made a mutual agreement not to talk about it,” said Kochanowicz. “We both know how it feels when your team loses.”
But for Patriots fans, it’s been awhile.
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