Experts Can Speak to a Variety of Super Bowl Story Lines

Pitch

The countdown to Sunday’s Super Bowl has started and Texas Tech University experts can speak to a variety of subjects involving the biggest U.S. sporting event of the year.

 

Experts

 

Business

Lin Humphrey, marketing doctoral student, (972) 415-6786, william.humphrey@ttu.edu

• While the economy continues to suffer, spending for the annual Super Bowl advertising appears strong. This year’s spending is keeping pace with past years, and ads averaged at $3 million a spot this year sold out months ago. The Super Bowl should continue to be an advertising event despite economic issues, but the mix of firms spending will reflect the relative health of their industry sectors.

 

Food/nutrition

Jamie Cooper, assistant professor in the Department of Nutrition, Hospitality and Retailing, (806) 742-3068 or jamie.a.cooper@ttu.edu

• The Super Bowl also usually means Super Bowl parties and a wide variety of mostly unhealthy food options. Cooper can speak about easy alternatives when making those food choices.

 

Dewey McMurrey, executive chef, Hospitality Services, (806) 742-1360, dewey.mcmurrey@ttu.edu.

• Looking for a new appetizer to unveil at your Super Bowl party, try McMurrey’s recipe for Twice Baked Potato Bacon Skins.

 

Predictions

Alan Reifman, professor, Human Development and Family Studies, (806) 742-3000, ext. 274 or alan.reifman@ttu.edu.

• The New England Patriots have won 10 games in a row, and the New York Giants five. The Giants also are the first team with a four-game losing streak in the regular season to make the Super Bowl since the 2002 Oakland Raiders. So whose luck will continue Super Bowl Sunday? Reifman, who studies sports streakiness and is the author of “Hot Hand: The Statistics Behind Sports’ Greatest Streaks,” can offer his scientific view. You can read his blog at http://thehothand.blogspot.com/.