Super Bowl XLIII Total: Are You Going Over or Under?

Everyone is talking about Super Bowl betting, but not many people mention the total. Sportsbook odds for the over/under are set at 46.5, which is down a half-point from the opening line of 47. Obviously the money bet on Super Bowl totals is far less than the side betting, but so far the money has come in on the under.

If you like the over, then you probably figure that Arizona's offense will be able to dictate the style and pace of the game.

If you like the under, then you probably assume that Pittsburgh's dominant defense will slow the game down to its pace.

I'm of the latter belief, mostly because I buy into what every sports fan, pundit and cliche-maker says at this point of the year: defense wins championships.

On paper, if you look at the two teams' resumes in the playoffs, you would probably say that the total is a little short. Arizona has averaged more than 30 points per game in the playoffs, while the Steelers are at 29. The simple math puts their combined total at 59 points. But obviously, that's a very simple way of looking at it.

I don't see how Arizona's offensive line will handle the Steelers pressure schemes. I don't see how Arizona's rushing offense will get much done, which will leave the Cardinals one-dimensional, dependent on the passing game.

The Cardinals were averaging 30+ points per game (in the playoffs) when they were hitting on all cylinders. Now they'll face a defense who will be able to slow them down.

As far as Super Bowl XLIII betting goes, for the total, the under is the way to go.