ksparkhu@mavs.coloradomesa.edu, mfreter@mavs.coloradomesa.edu

With this season’s Pro Bowl in the books, the Super Bowl is the only remaining game for the 2012 NFL season. The Ravens and 49ers each overcame halftime deficits in their respective championship games to reach the big game. The head coaches of the teams happen to be brothers, John and Jim Harbaugh leading to much discussion and the moniker, the “Harbaugh Bowl.” The game is also notable for being all-pro and future Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis’ last game in the NFL.

Max Freter: Jumping right into it, here is why the Ravens are gonna win the Harbaugh Bowl. Number one: experience. John (being the older brother) has been in the league since 2008 and has spent 11 games in the postseason. Not to mention the competition the Ravens face week in and week out. They had to play AFC South division winner, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh twice this year along with division winning New England and Denver, not to mention the defending champion Giants. Second, as an avid fan of football, I’ve watched Ray Lewis in many games and I’ve seen him get emotional, but never quite like this. He is playing like a man possessed since his return from injury earlier this season and could seal his legacy as one of the greatest (if not the greatest) linebacker of all time with one last win.

Kyle Parkhurst: While John has the experience factor with more years coaching in the NFL, this is the first time they each are coaching in a Super Bowl, which is a completely different game. They lost to three teams who won their respective divisions (Denver, Washington and Houston) which shows they didn’t show up enough in the big regular season games. Not to mention that they went 0-2 against teams with a dual threat quarterback like the 49ers have.

Having argued that, here is why the 49ers will win the Super Bowl: defense. It’s often said, “offense sells tickets, but defense wins championships,” and San Francisco ranks in the top 10 in almost every major defensive category, including the top five in rush and pass defense. They’ve lit up the board with interceptions and forced fumbles, and if the defensive line shuts down the running game, Flacco will not be able to get it done by himself. Offensively, they have been one of the greatest dual threats and Kaepernick has been unstoppable in the playoffs running the read option. Now that their receivers have stepped up, the Ravens are going to have fits trying to defend against the run and the pass.

M.F.: When was the last time a dual threat quarterback won the Super Bowl? While Kaepernick is having an impressive season, he has gone up against two suspect defenses this postseason in the Packers and the Falcons. Denver had the second best defense in the regular season behind Chicago and were shredded by the Baltimore receivers.

The Ravens were a much different team defensively while Ray Lewis sat on the sidelines which is why they gave up big numbers to the three opponents they shared with the 49ers. Since his return, the Ravens have forced seven combined turnovers from quarterbacks Andrew Luck, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. And don’t forget about Jacoby Jones either. The last Pro Bowl kick returner that went to the Super Bowl (Devin Hester) took the opening kickoff to the house.

K.P.: Steve Young was the closest thing to a dual threat in his era, but the landscape of the game has changed. Torrey Smith and the Ravens took advantage of an aging Champ Bailey and while the defense of the Ravens has been much improved, the physical style of the 49ers is unlike any other team in the NFL. They have a stable of running backs with Frank Gore, Kendall Hunter and LeMichael James, as well as one of the best offensive lines in the league. The wrinkles that will be put in place with the pistol offense will be plays we haven’t seen before and since you mentioned returners, don’t forget about Ted Ginn Jr. either, who has more than enough big play, return ability.