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| Who's going to win? Depends on who you ask ESPN.com It's that time of year again. Time for the 14th annual Scripps Howard Celebrity Super Bowl Poll. Famous athletes, entertainers, politicians and other notable personalities predict the winner of Sunday's Super Bowl. ELIZABETH TAYLOR, actress/philanthropist: I'm picking the Oakland Raiders in a very close game with a score of 31-28. MAGIC JOHNSON, legendary basketball player: The Raiders, because I've been a Raiders fan all of my life. 20-10. BOB AND DELORES HOPE, legendary comedian who will turn 100 later this year: We're still flipping our coin! ARNOLD PALMER, legendary golfer: Tampa Bay, 35-21. SERENA WILLIAMS, No. 1-ranked women's tennis player: The Rams are my No. 1 team. But I've been a Bucs fan for 3 years. I guess I'm a true American watching the NFL. TRACY MCGRADY, NBA's leading scorer, Orlando Magic: Tampa Bay, 24-17. EVAN MARRIOTT, aka JOE MILLIONAIRE: The Raiders in a blowout. Bill Romanowski is the man. He'll carry the team along with Jerry Rice. GOV. JEB BUSH (R-Fla.): The Bucs will win because of the best defense in the NFL and great coaching. 20-14. GOV. GRAY DAVIS (D-Calif.): Oakland is going to beat the spread. I'm proud to go to San Diego with the Raider Nation and support the best team in football this year, the Oakland Raiders. MICHAEL CARL, Staff Sgt. and NBC specialist (nuclear, biological and chemical weapons defense specialist) for 385 Signal Company, based at Camp Doha, Kuwait: Oakland, 31-17. I don't think Tampa Bay has the offense to keep up with them. CONDOLEEZA RICE, National Security Advisor: I like the Raiders ... since it can't be Buffalo and it can't be Cleveland. KARL ROVE, White House senior adviser: You couldn't have asked a worse person for a pick. I really don't follow pro football. I'm a college basketball fan. I'm not sure I can even tell you who's playing -- the Raiders and ... JAMES CARVILLE, political consultant/occasional host of "Crossfire'': I started out really big on Tampa Bay, but now I'm getting a little nervous. It may come down to a big play and Oakland has more players capable of making big plays. Four points (Oakland is favored by four) is a lot. SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R-Ariz.): As an avid proponent of a strong defense, I believe the strongest defense will win and that's the Buccaneers. You've got two hot quarterbacks. But at the end of the day I think Mr. Sapp and his friends, including All-Pro linebacker Derrick Brooks -- their defense is superior and makes me think they will win by 9 points. BILL O'REILLY, TV talk show host, FOX: Oakland. Faster team and better quarterback. 24-14. CHRIS MATTHEWS, TV talk show host, MSNBC: My brain says the Bucs, but my instinct tells me it's the Raiders by 3. WOLF BLITZER, TV news anchor, CNN: It's just a gut instinct -- based on absolutely no inside information or even outside information. The Raiders looked very powerful against the Titans. Indeed, they looked strong all year. Oakland, 24-10. DONALD TRUMP, business leader: Tampa Bay will win because they have a great defense. MARK CUBAN, owner, Dallas Mavericks: Raiders. Run and Gun and Rich Gannon won't be stopped. 28-14. SCOTT ADAMS, cartoonist, "Dilbert'': Oakland, 49-7. My prediction is based on the fact that I live in the midst of many scary looking Raiders fans and I would like to survive the publication of my prediction. JOHN WOODEN, legendary UCLA coach for the longest men's winning streak in NCAA history: Oakland. It's a pretty tight one. I'm very fond of (coach) Callahan. I'd like to see him win taking over the way he did. I'm impressed with Gruden's defense. They're very quick. And I love quickness more than anything else in any sport. But I'm kind of pulling for Callahan. GENO AURIEMMA, University of Connecticut coach for the longest women's winning streak in NCAA history: Oakland Raiders because the quarterback is a Catholic Philly boy from St. Joe's Prep. DALE EARNHARDT, JR., NASCAR driver: Tampa Bay, 28-24. ANDY RODDICK, tennis star: I love the Bucs, and I'm taking them all the way. I think it will be defense that wins in the end, but there will be some fireworks. 20-17. MARTINA NAVRATILOVA, legendary tennis player: Tampa Bay, 24-14. CARROT TOP, comedian: Well, since I live in Orlando and my Miami Dolphins got caught in a "tuna net'' AGAIN -- this year, I must pick the Bucs. I remember when the Bucs were known as the "suckineers'', where they would lose in a bye week, so it's pretty amazing they're playing in the big one. Plus I hate the Raiders _ wait, maybe you shouldn't print that! Those are some scary rabid fans. I saw a Raider fan beating himself up! The Raiders are gonna wanna put a patch on their other eye at the end of this one. Bucs in a thriller, 27-24. BOB DENVER, actor, Gilligan on "Gilligan's Island'': The Raiders by probably two touchdowns. They looked really together. Tampa Bay was sputtering a bit. DAWN WELLS, actress, Mary Ann on "Gilligan's Island'': Tampa Bay. I don't care how much they win by. I have a beach house in Tampa. Last year in January, I went to a sports book in Vegas and picked Tampa Bay at 28-1 odds. I don't like Oakland. I don't know if they're still as rebellious as they used to be. Are the guys still as nasty? RUSSELL JOHNSON, actor, The Professor on "Gilligan's Island'': Oakland by a point. BOBBY THOMSON, former N.Y. Giants baseball player who in 1951 hit "Shot Heard 'Round the World'': I just happen to like Coach Gruden. For that reason, I'm picking the Bucs. That Black Hole Gang, maybe I'd like to slow them down a little, too. RALPH BRANCA, former Dodger who threw the famous pitch to Thomson Tampa Bay in an upset. Their offensive line is quicker than the Titans and they'll put some pressure on Gannon. 24-17. EDDIE MURRAY, baseball Hall of Famer: I'm going with the Raiders. While I don't hold a grudge against Jon Gruden for leaving the Raiders and though I have met some of the Tampa players, I still think Oakland's offense will overpower the Bucs' defense. WAYNE NEWTON, singer/actor: Oakland will win by 10 points after scoring touchdowns while Tampa scores field goals. JACK LALANNE, fitness trainer: Oakland. No doubt about it. I'd bet all my barbells and vitamins on it. I had my first health spa in Oakland in 1931. MICKEY ROONEY, actor: The Raiders are my son's favorite team and they used to be in Los Angeles. So my wife, Jan and I, like the Raiders. MAMIE VAN DOREN, legendary sex symbol: Oakland by one touchdown. They deserve it. I've been an Oakland Raiders fan for ages, because when I was dating Joe Namath, they would kick the ... out of him. Our relationship did not end too well. VICTORIA SILVSTEDT, actress/model/Playmate: My husband gets that same 'Jon Gruden Scowl' when I ask him for money. Tampa Bay, 27-23. BONNIE-JILL LAFLIN, Coors Light spokesmodel: Tampa Bay. They have only given up 11 points a game. They are the No. 1 defense in the league and in big games like this, defense wins the game. They will be able to stop the Raiders offense and create turnovers which will lead to easy scoring for Tampa Bay's offense. 17-13. PHYLLIS DILLER, comedienne: My first job was in Oakland at a little radio station out of which came Art Linkletter, Ralph Edwards, Rod McEwen and me. All out of one little dumb radio station. I'm going for Oakland by three points. I know that Keyshawn Johnson thinks he's Napoleon. But my Raiders are going to do it. JACK VALENTI, president, Motion Picture Association: Raiders, 31-21. MARTIN MILNER, actor, Malloy on "Adam-12'': The Raiders. They seem to be on an upswing right at the moment. They came from behind in the game with the Jets and they completely outclassed (the Titans). 27-20. CHUCK YEAGER, hero, first pilot to break the sound barrier: Oakland. They're a more experienced team. 28-21. BUZZ ALDRIN, astronaut, 2d man to walk on the moon: Rich Gannon leads the Oakland Raiders to a 14-10 win. GENE CERNAN, astronaut, last man to walk on the moon: In spite of Jerry Rice, Tampa Bay just may surprise Oakland. BRANDI CHASTAIN, U.S. Women's National Soccer Team, predicting the game from China: The Raiders and Jerry Rice as the MVP. Tampa Bay has a great D-Line and linebackers, but their defensive backfield is just not good enough to stop the aerial arsenal of Gannon and Co. CINDY PARLOW, U.S. Women's National Soccer Team, also in China: If it can't be the Titans, I am going with the Bucs. I love the underdog and defense wins championships. MAURICE GREENE, Olympic gold medalist, sprints: Oakland, 32-27. AL OERTER, four-time Olympic gold medalist, discus: Tampa Bay. I think they finally smell it after all these years. They're not going to let it go. 21-17. LENNY KRAYZELBURG, three-time swimming gold medalist: Oakland. I'm a diehard Raiders fan. I think it's going to be a pretty close game. Tampa's defense matches up very well. But I think Oakland's front line will control the game. If they give some time to Gannon, they will be able to advance the ball. JENNY THOMPSON, Olympic swimming gold medalist: I'll be cheering for the Raiders. I like their bad-ass style. Well, that and I used to date Jon Ritchie in college (yeah, the one who's always bleeding from the face). Raiders, 28-21. NATALIE COUGHLIN, 2002 female swimmer of the year: Go RAIDERS! When I was in Hawaii last week I got a (temporary) Raiders tattoo. The Raiders have the number one offense and Tampa Bay has the number one defense. This will make for an awesome game. 31-30. MICHAEL PHELPS, 2002 U.S. male swimmer of the year: The BUCS! I want them to win so bad just because they are an East Coast team and also because they've been so hot recently. I don't think they can be stopped. 24-21. STACY DRAGILA, Olympic gold medalist, pole vault: Tampa Bay because Tampa Bay's defense will not allow Oakland to put up big numbers. 31-27. JAMES BLAKE, tennis star: I'm definitely pulling for the Raiders, even though I live in Tampa. You can never count out Jerry Rice in the Super Bowl. 30-17. SEN. BILL FRIST (R-Tenn.), Senate Majority Leader: The Raiders, 24-17, because they must be a good team to have beaten the Tennessee Titans. SEN. BOB GRAHAM (D-Fla.): I support all Florida teams especially the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. SEN. BARBARA BOXER (D-Calif.): Oakland. I'm a huge Raiders fan. REP. NANCY PELOSI (D-Calif.): House minority leader: I was hoping for a Bay Area Bowl. But since my 49ers are out, the Raiders are going to win. NAOMI JUDD, country singer: I don't know much about football but I do know a Tight End when I see it. Oakland will have the home state advantage and get more rest than Tampa. Tampa will have jet lag. Raiders, 34-19. PLACIDO DOMINGO, opera singer: Tampa Bay. I believe they will win not only because one of my sons lives in Florida, but because Jon Gruden knows all the Oakland Raiders players and that puts the Buccaneers in a better position to win. VINCE NEIL, lead singer, Motley Crue/co-star "The Surreal Life'': I'm taking the Raiders minus 4 points, and the over at 44. Raiders, 35-17. TOM SHOLZ, founder of rock band Boston: Oakland, 14-10. It's as simple as black and white. DAVE GROHL, rock singer, "Foo Fighters'': Ohio State, 27-3. WILLIAM PETERSEN, actor, "CSI'': Oakland, because Al Davis is still the toughest man in football. 24-20. AARON SPELLING, producer: Oakland will win by ten points _ and by 17 if it rains! DAVID HASSELHOFF, actor/singer: Raiders experience prevails. I spoke to Dionne Warwick. She has direct psychic connections and says Oakland. The major reason is I bet on Oakland! ELISABETH SHUE, actress: The Oakland Raiders by 10. SUSAN ANTON, singer/actress: I will be cheering for the Raiders because of the vets (Jerry, Rich, Tim), but I think Tampa Bay will win. But what do I know? I predicted a Green Bay/Jets Super Bowl! Most important, be safe and pray this one doesn't end on a controversial call! Tampa Bay, 24-21. DENNIS FARINA, actor: Tampa Bay. Their defense is very deep. 21-17. CHRIS NOTH, actor, Mr. Big on "Sex and the City'': The Raiders. RICHARD SCHIFF, actor, "West Wing'': Tampa Bay. The best defense will stop the best offense. 17-14. SHEILA KELLEY, actress, wife of Richard Schiff and sports fan by proxy: Oakland. They're closer to home. 27-24. STEVE VALENTINE, actor, "Crossing Jordan'': Is it a coincidence that the names of both teams indicate power, violence, risk thievery and danger? I think not! These teams have fought their guts out to get to the Super Bowl. But we ain't seen nothin' yet. It's going to be an amazing game with more twists and turns than a drive with Nick Nolte! But I think the Buccaneers will squeak by probably at the last second not just because they have the fancier name but because they are the better team and they are hungry! 25-20. FRED DRYER, actor/former L.A. Rams pro: This is going to be an upset with Tampa Bay winning by 10 points. GEORGE STULTS, actor, "7th Heaven'': Tampa Bay, 24-17, after four quarters of smashmouth football. RICHARD BELZER, actor, "Law & Order Special Victim's Unit'': The Raiders cannot be denied. 28-18. LAINIE KAZAN, singer/actress: Go Raiders! The Silver and Black win by 35-21. ED ASNER, actor: The Buccaneers are going to do it. They have a phenomenal spirit and they are trying to overcome their past. It's going to be very close. The Raiders will win if it's not close.'' DR. JOYCE BROTHERS, psychologist: Tampa, because of their coach. We can learn a great deal to teach our children from the way a coach puts together a team. The coach has to take all these spoiled men who are used to adulation and getting away with things and goofing off, and make them into a team where one will give up some glory for the other. The Tampa coach did just that. Good coaches reward effort not success. Everybody makes boo boos. But if you tried your best that is what is rewarded. DICK VITALE, basketball announcer: As I'm saying this, I'm wearing a Bucs shirt and hat. But I'm talking as objectively as I can. The Bucs' defense will contain and shut down the offensive firepower of Rich Gannon, Jerry Rice and Tim Brown. And Brad Johnson offensively will put up enough points. It will be a donnybrook. It will be a scintillating, sensational Super Bowl, and the gold trophy will be brought back from San Diego. Bucs, 24-21. LOUIS RUKEYSER, TV host, CNBC's "Louis Rukeyser's Wall Street'': While it's always possible that a good defense will beat a good offense, history is on Oakland's side -- both athletically and financially. The last time the Raiders played in (and won) the Super Bowl, in 1984, the economy and the markets were pulling out of a long slump and launching what turned out to be a historic boom and bull market. It could happen again. After an appropriately quick huddle, I predict: Oakland, 31-17. SHAUNTAY HINTON, Miss USA: I'm going with the Raiders. They have a strong defense, a great quarterback, but above all they have Jerry Rice. He's my hometown boy. KAPTAIN ROBBIE KNIEVEL, daredevil: I'm definitely a Raiders fan because I know (Rich) Gannon. The Raiders by three in overtime. ELLIOTT SADLER, NASCAR racer: The Bucs defense is the reason they will come out on top but they'll have their hands full with the Raiders wide receivers. Bucs, 24-13. JIMMY SPENCER, NASCAR racer: I honestly think Tampa Bay is going to upset the Raiders. I'm sticking with the old saying "defense wins championships.'' We're going to be testing at Talladega that day, but come game time I'm sure me and the guys on the Sirius Satellite race team will be in front of a television set somewhere. KURT BUSCH, NASCAR racer: I pull for West Coast teams, so I'm going with the Raiders. Tampa Bay has a great defense, but the Raiders have the offensive weapons. LEROY NEIMAN, artist: By dictionary definition, Buccaneers raid and Raiders are trained for close range fighting. The Raiders are a sure thing. 21-10. JANE WOOSTER SCOTT, artist: Oakland 30-24 in a thriller. SIDNEY SHELDON, author: Tampa Bay will win after a series of Oakland turnovers. Final score: Tampa Bay, 31-21. SCOTT TUROW, author: Logically, I'm sure the Raiders are the favorite. I don't know why, but I'm picking Tampa Bay. Defense over offense. It is best defense vs. the best offense. 20-17. RANDY JACKSON, judge, "American Idol'': I love Tampa Bay, and I love Warren Sapp to death. But dude, I've got to go with the Raiders. Their offense is so potent. 35-24. COLIN MORTENSEN, MTV Real World: Oakland wins by 7. Why? (Real World star) Puck is from Oakland. I've lived in Oakland. You don't mess with people from Oakland. RYAN SUTTER, former Colorado football player/contestant on "The Bachelorette'': I'm a defensive player and I like defensive teams. Bucs, 17-14. BRANDE RODERICK, actress, "The Surreal Life'': Oakland, because I am from Bay Area and if I didn't pick Oakland I would get pummeled by my family! 28-25. ROSHUMBA, model/HGTV host: I pick Oakland to win, 27-3. Why? Because all of my friends are picking the Raiders and I like to go along. ANGELICA BRIDGES, actress: Oakland. It's been a long time coming for this team. 28-21. GALE GAND, Food Network, host of "Sweet Dreams'': Oakland will win because they have a better balanced team, offense and defense. Oakland, 24-14. JILL CORDES, Food Network, host of "Best of...'': The Oakland Raiders will win because Jon Gruden is so thoroughly hated by them. Oakland, 34-17. KELLY DEADMON, Food Network, host of "Date Plate'': Tampa Bay will win because Jon Gruden has a little something to prove after Oakland drop kicked him outta there! 24-21. ALTON BROWN, Food Network, host of "Good Eats'': Oakland will win. To put it simply: they're meaner! Don't know what the score will be, but I guarantee it'll be ugly! MARC SUMMERS, Food Network, host of "Unwrapped'': Definitely Oakland -- returning to their former glory years with an amazing team. 31-10. JEFFREY NORDLING, actor: The Giants will win the Super Bowl. Paul Tagliabue will realize just how badly the Giants were ripped off in the 49ers' game and reinstate them in place of Tampa Bay. Tampa Bay was disqualified after Warren Sapp predicted that he will personally dismember every one of the Raiders team, including the trainers and cheerleaders. E-mail David Nielsen at nielsend@shns.com. Visit SHNS on the Web at http://www.shns.com |
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