Celeb Super Bowl picks: Edge to NY

Updated: February 2, 2012, 5:27 PM ET
ESPN.com

Editor's note: Since 1986, our friends at Scripps Howard News Service have spanned the globe to get Super Bowl picks from some of today's biggest names. And some of yesterday's. The winner gets the Scripps Howard Super Sage Award trophy.

We've got 25 of their top picks below -- well, 24 and one Academy Award-nominated actor who just couldn't decide. Included is last year's winner, Ted Giannoulas, better known as the San Diego Chicken, who liked the New York Giants 34-26. Last year, he said Green Bay would beat Pittsburgh 31-26; the final score was 31-25. Only twice -- Martina Navratilova in 1998 and Dennis Farina in 2005 -- has the winner gotten the score exactly right.

For more celebrity selections, check out the complete list from Scripps Howard. The list is 115 names long -- 60 going for the Giants, 50 for the New England Patriots, and five who just can't bear to make a selection.

CELEBRITY WHO THEY'RE PICKING ... AND WHY
ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER
Actor/former California governor		New England, 31-24. I can't pick against my neighbor, especially when he is playing at such a high level. Tom Brady will be the Super Bowl MVP.
MAYA ANGELOU
Poet		New York, 20-7. The Patriots are terrible losers which means the Giants, who are great winners, have to work harder than usual, and they will.
BRAD PITT
Actor, Oscar nominee for "Moneyball"		"Oooh, that's a tough one."
SERENA WILLIAMS
Tennis player		I was rooting for the Dolphins. So, [they] didn't do so well. I always root for the younger brother.
PLACIDO DOMINGO
Opera star		New York
OCTAVIA SPENCER
Actress, Oscar nominee for "The Help"		New York, 27-24. It's a rematch that's sure to have a different outcome.
PENN & TELLER
Magicians, 2007 Super Sage Award winners		New England, 31-27. But, five minutes before kickoff, Rob Lowe announces Eli Manning's retirement.
JACK NICKLAUS
Hall of Fame golfer		New England, 31-28. How many games have the Patriots lost? Three. How many games have the Giants lost? Seven. I realize the Giants are hot right now, but over the course of a season I think the Patriots have performed better and I like their body of work. Eli is a great quarterback and I am a big fan. It just so happens I root for the AFC, because I am a long-time Dolphins fan.
ARNOLD PALMER
Hall of Famer golfer, 2003 Super Sage Award winner		New York, 28-17. Eli Manning is feeling his oats. I think he will have a good game in the Super Bowl.
JENNA FISCHER
Actress, "The Office"		New England, 31-28. This pick is based mainly on the fact that my husband is from Dallas. We are Cowboys fans and we don't root for the Giants. Unless we are rooting for them to lose! Go Patriots!
JOHN MCENROE
Tennis Hall of Famer		New York, 24-21.
JUSTIN VERLANDER
Detroit Tigers pitcher, AL MVP, Cy Young winner		New York, 21-17.
ED BURNS
Actor/director		New York, 31-24. Eli lights it up for four TD passes.
PAT ROBERTSON
Reverend, 2008 Super Sage Award winner		New York, 27-23. I just think Eli Manning will be more comfortable in Indianapolis.
CHUCK YEAGER
First pilot to break the sound barrier		New England, 31-27.
DALE EARNHARDT JR.
NASCAR driver		New England. The Redskins whooped the Giants twice so if they won it would make me feel good as a Redskins fan, but I think the Patriots will win, barely, by three or four points.
STACY KEIBLER
Actress/George Clooney's girlfriend		New England, 34-28. I think this will be a higher-scoring game than four years ago and in a shootout, it's hard to go against Tom Brady.
DON RICKLES
Comedian		New England, 28-14. I love Eli Manning, but under pressure, I have to go with Tom Brady.
SEN. JOHN KERRY
U.S. Senator, D-Mass.		New England, 31-24, on the strength of a Tom Brady performance. I'd say this even if I wasn't Senator for Massachusetts: the Patriots will win. Karma is on our side. They'll win it for Myra [Kraft, the late wife of Patriots owner Robert Kraft].
RUDY GIULIANI
Former New York City mayor		New York, 30-20. The Giants clearly have a superior defense and their offense is more multidimensional.
DARA TORRES
Olympic swimmer		New York, 28-24. Should be a great rematch. I can't wait to see teams so evenly matched. Defense will make the difference.
BILL O'REILLY
Fox News host		New York, 27-24. The Giants will be able to disrupt Tom Brady's passing. The Pats can't run the ball. Eli Manning will hit a few deep passes.
DANICA PATRICK
Race car driver		New York, 34-31. The Giants have been on a roll; confidence and momentum are important in any sport.
YOGI BERRA
New York Yankees Hall of Famer		New York, 23-20. Better defense should be the difference.
HULK HOGAN
Wrestler		New York, 24-17.

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