Like much of the rest of Wisconsin, many Milwaukee area business executives and civic officials are excited about the Super Bowl on Sunday in Dallas and are predicting the Green Bay Packers will defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Here’s a sampling of local Super Bowl predictions:
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett: Packers, 27-21. “I’m predicting ‘A-Rod’ will outplay ‘Big Ben’ and the Packers will get a Super Bowl ring for veterans Donald Driver and Charles Woodson.”
Rich Meeusen, chief executive officer, Badger Meter Inc.: Packers, 17-7. “I expect the Packers will win because they will make B.J. Raji their new wide receiver.”
Jon Rauser, president, The Rauser Agency Inc.: Packers, 87-3. “I know that score is unlikely but combine another nail biter (or the unthinkable, a loss) with the mental health parity of PPACA (health reform) and we’ll see a claims spike of unprecedented proportions. Please Pack, save us from all the anxiety – not to mention higher premiums!”
Rick White, vice president, Wisconsin Energy Corp.: Packers, 31-24. “Neither team will be able to run. All the offense will be through the air, and our DBs are better than theirs.”
Jamie Reeve, vice president of wealth strategies at Northern Trust Bank in Milwaukee: Packers, 27-23. “Although the Steelers’ Super Bowl experience is a huge benefit, I feel the Packers talent and zeal will tip the scales.”
Erica Conway, co-owner, C2 Graphics Productivity Solutions: Packers, 14-13. “Defenses will dominate. The quarterbacks will be roughed up, Rodgers more than Roethlisberger. But ultimately the Packers will prevail to bring the Lombardi Trophy back home where it belongs. I am so nervous and excited.”
Steve Baas, Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC) director of governmental affairs: Packers, 35-17. “We’re simply the better team. We are built for a speed game in a dome. Pittsburgh is built for a slug-it-out game outdoors.”
Carolyn Schamberger, executive director of public relations, Midwest area, Verizon Wireless: Packers, 24-21. “It’s going to be a nail-biter, with the Packers jumping out to a quick lead and holding off the Steelers at the end.”
Dan Nelson Jr., president, Nelson Schmidt Inc.: Packers, 24-19. “Dom Capers was an assistant in Pittsburgh from 1992-94 and knows their zone blitz defense, so he will help the Packers overcome that novel scheme. And Pittsburgh has several injuries that should also give the Packers an extra edge.”
Maria Monreal-Cameron, president and CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin: Packers, 31-24. “Football aficionado or not, it’s hard not to get caught up in the frenzy. I am confident our Packers will bowl the Steelers over.”
Andy Holman, partner, RitzHolman CPAs: Packers, 24-20. “My father is a proud Green Bay native, so victory will be very sweet.”
James T. Barry III, president, Cassidy Turley Barry: Packers, 24-17. “The Packers have demonstrated that they are a big game team and that if there is any loss in momentum on the offense, the defense will pick up the slack.”
Bill Beckett, CEO of Chryspac: “I’d like it to be a close, nail-biting game…with the Packers winning. That’s what excites me about sports. A blow-out would not be much fun.”
Mike Mervis, vice president, Zilber Ltd.: Packers, 28-17. “This has to happen. I took my relatives in Chicago to the cleaners. Plus they have to wear a Pack jersey at Thanksgiving and stand up for a toast to the best team in football. And now, what about my relatives in Pittsburgh? The Pack cannot fail in this game. The personal humiliation for me if they lose would just be too much.”
State Rep. Mark Honadel (R-South Milwaukee): Packers, 24-21. “First of all, it’s a great day in Wisconsin because we have a new governor and the Packers are NFC Champions. However, this will be a down and dirty, edge-of-your-seat game where both teams will be duking it out well into the fourth quarter, with the Packers edging out a win right before we all have a heart attack!”
Andrew Weiland is managing editor of BizTimes Milwaukee.
