Super Bowl 2015: Predictions for Top Commercials, Halftime Show, National Anthem

America loves the Super Bowl, but it is certainly not all about the football. 

Between the parties, endless junk food, highly anticipated commercials and halftime extravaganza, it is a wonder that there is any time at all for the game between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks.

Here is a look at some information and predictions for the parts of Super Bowl Sunday that go beyond the actual football. All prop bet information is courtesy of Odds Shark, as of Thursday evening at 11 p.m. ET.

National Anthem

How long will it take Idina Menzel to sign the U.S. national anthem?

Over/Under: Two minutes and one second

Will Idina Menzel forget or omit at least one word of the official U.S. national anthem?

Yes 4-1

No 1-6

Prediction: Idina Menzel already performed the national anthem at the MLB All-Star Game, so she has some experience with the song at a major sporting event. She has also performed at award shows, on Broadway and at hundreds of big stages during her career and will not be intimidated by the spotlight.

That means she will not forget or omit a word. 

As for the length, Odds Shark pointed out that only two of the past eight national anthem singers have gone over two minutes, and even opera star Renee Fleming was under two minutes last season. Stick with the trends here, as Menzel will be under two minutes.

Halftime Show

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

How many times will Katy Perry be mentioned in the first half?

Over/Under: 1.5

Which song will Katy Perry perform first at halftime?

Firework 3-2

Roar 3-2

This Is How We Do 5-1

Dark Horse 12-1

E.T. 12-1

Wide Awake 12-1

Waking Up in Vegas 20-1

What will Katy Perry be wearing when she begins the halftime show?

Skirt or dress 4-5

Pants (below knees) 2-1

Shorts (above knees) 2-1

What color will Katy Perry's hair be when she begins the halftime show?

Black/brown 2-1

Pink/red 3-1

Blue/green 3-1

Blonde 4-1

Purple 5-1

Prediction: Go with the over for the number of times Katy Perry is mentioned before halftime because the announcers will have to tease the halftime show at least once. That means Perry will only need to be mentioned one more time in the first half at a bare minimum to reach the over.

The first song Perry performs will be "Roar" as a way to insert energy into the crowd, and she will wear pants below the knees because, even though the game is in Arizona, it will still be evening in February. 

Her hair will be blue/green as something of homage to the team colors of the Patriots and Seahawks.

Commercials

Charlie Riedel/Associated Press

Much of the drama regarding Super Bowl commercials has been removed in recent years with early releases and teaser trailers via social media campaigns and YouTube.

Ad Age compiled a breakdown of commercials for the big game and noted that there will be about 15 new advertisers for this year’s contest. Mainstays like Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Doritos and GoDaddy will be involved as well, but no company secured more commercial time than Anheuser-Busch’s seven 30-second ads.

Those ads will cost some serious cash considering Lara O’Reilly of Business Insider noted companies had to pay between $4.4 and $4.5 million for 30 seconds of air time.

Charlie Riedel/Associated Press

Seth Winter, executive vice president for ad sales at NBC Universal's news and sports group, commented on the commercials, per Reuters (via Yahoo News): "The game is officially sold out. It just proves to me once again that the NFL and the Super Bowl remains the platinum standard of all media." 

As for an actual prediction regarding the commercials, Fiat Chrysler will have the nation talking more so than any other company the day after the Super Bowl.

Brent Snavely of the Detroit Free Press reported that the company will air three commercials during the game, and if it follows past formulas, fans will be treated to celebrities and emotional themes. Celebrities such as Eminem, Clint Eastwood, Oprah Winfrey and Paul Harvey have been involved in past commercials, but the key with Fiat Chrysler is that it rarely releases any information before the game.

Snavely commented on the strategy and the suspense and connection it builds with the audience:

"

In 2011, the automaker made Super Bowl history with the first ever two-minute commercial. Called "Born of Fire," the commercial featured rap star Eminem and ended with the tagline "Imported from Detroit."

François' formula has generally included convincing iconic actors or musicians that rarely, if ever, endorse commercial products to appear in commercials that typically last two minutes. Rather than using tried and true elements of humor, sex appeal or cute pets, François prefers to cast celebrities in commercials that tug at the heartstrings of American nostalgia and comeback stories. 

"

Going against the grain has worked in the past for Fiat Chrysler, and it will work again Sunday.

Follow me on Twitter:

Follow @ScottPolacek