LAS CRUCES, N.M. — NMSU students talk about their traditions, prediction and reaction for the Super Bowl 60.
TRADITION
by Isaac Jaimes:
As the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks prepare to meet on football’s biggest stage, Super Bowl Sunday has once again become more than just a game for students.
For student Elka Darko who is born and raised in Houston, Super Bowl Sunday is rooted in togetherness. A longtime sports fan and Texans supporter, Darko is backing the Seahawks this year, but the result on the field isn’t the only thing that matters to her.
“I’m always surrounded by my family and friends on Super Bowl Sunday,” Darko said. “It’s kind of our thing. I always make chili, and we just enjoy being together.”
While football brings everyone together, Darko is also looking forward to the halftime show especially with Bad Bunny taking center stage.
“I’m excited to support Bad Bunny,” Darko said. “It makes the Super Bowl feel even bigger than just football.”
On the opposite sideline, Jessica Retana, born in Las Cruces and raised in Anthony, Texas, enters the game proudly repping the Patriots. A devoted New England fan, Retana sees this Super Bowl as a symbol of a new chapter for the franchise.
“I love that the Patriots are building a new team,” Retana said. “Having a new quarterback and a new head coach gives me a lot of hope. It feels like a fresh start.”
Retana’s Super Bowl tradition takes place away from home, as she and her friends gather at District West, a bar in El Paso that has become their annual destination for the game.
“We always go to District West and watch it together,” Retana said. “The atmosphere there just makes the Super Bowl more fun.”
Beyond football, Retana is especially excited about the halftime performance.
“Bad Bunny performing is huge,” Retana said. “He’s representing the Latin community on such a big stage, and that means a lot to me.”
For NMSU student Natalia Bravo, born and raised in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, the game has traditionally been more about the social experience than the game itself. Usually invited by friends, she enjoys the event casually but this year feels different.
“I normally watch because my friends invite me,” Bravo said. “I enjoy it, but I’m not super into football.”
That changed when this year’s halftime performer was announced.
“With Bad Bunny performing, I’m way more excited,” Bravo said. “Honestly, it feels more like a concert than a game this year.”
As kickoff approaches, the Patriots vs. Seahawks matchup highlights how the Super Bowl continues to resonate across campus in different ways. Whether it’s team pride, long-standing traditions, or anticipation for a headline performance, students are finding their own reasons to tune in proving that Super Bowl Sunday remains a shared experience, no matter what draws them to the screen.
PREDICTIONS and REACTIONS
by Sydney Huber:
With Super Bowl Sunday set for Sunday, Feb. 8, the debate over who will take home the Lombardi Trophy is heating up — and among students, there’s a clear favorite. After reviewing responses from a student Google Form survey, the Seattle Seahawks emerged as the top pick to win the Super Bowl over the New England Patriots.
Out of 35 student responses, 25 students selected the Seahawks, while just 10 backed the Patriots. That’s nearly three-quarters of respondents predicting a Seattle victory.
While some students, like recent journalism graduate Joseph Settle, cited football-related reasons like “top 10 defense with a top 10 offense,” others were more honest — or humorous — about their picks, stating that they are going to be tuned in for Grammy winner Bad Bunny, who is going to be performing the Halftime Show.
Multiple respondents admitted they chose the Seahawks simply because they “don’t like the Patriots,” while another said their decision came down to “the stars.” Regardless of reasoning, the consensus was clear: students are leaning heavily toward Seattle.
The Patriots, however, still have supporters. Students backing New England pointed to quarterback confidence and experience, with one respondent stating that “Drake Maye is a superior QB and better decision-maker.” Even some Seahawks supporters admitted uncertainty, predicting that while they want Seattle to win, New England’s track record makes them nervous. That hesitation is understandable — the Patriots are no strangers to big moments and championship pressure.
Still, momentum matters, and the Seahawks appear to have it — at least on campus. The mix of strong defensive play, offensive balance, and widespread student confidence gives Seattle the edge heading into Sunday. Whether students are watching closely for the game itself or just tuning in for the halftime show (Bad Bunny was mentioned more than once), one thing is certain: the Seahawks are the people’s pick.
Come kickoff, we’ll see whether student predictions hold up — or if the Patriots once again prove why counting them out is never safe.
BETTING
by Deshaun Garduno:
With over 100 million people tuning into the Super Bowl per year since 2022, the Super Bowl has become one of the biggest events worldwide.
The game is a cultural moment, whether it’s for the product on the field, the halftime performances, or even the commercials.
The Super Bowl today is now the most bet-on sporting event in the country. This isn’t the betting of the old days, where people would buy squares and hope for a certain score or even bet $20 with a friend. These are carefully created lines, with different odds and payouts on hundreds of different websites and apps.
To give it some perspective, there are 36 million Americans expected to place bets on the game, with $1.76 billion wagered. These numbers are up 27% from last year, highlighting the continued growth in sports betting.
The difference this year?
It’s not clear, but it could be the increase in promotions and apps to bet on, or the sheer number of things you can bet on. It feels endless.
Years ago, the bets were limited to what actually happens on the field. Now people can open sports betting apps and bet on the Gatorade color, the length of the national anthem, and even what celebrities will appear.
Sports betting is forever growing; during the Super Bowl there will be betting ads and depending on who everyone’s rooting for, just know someone like Drake has a million dollars on the Patriots.
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