by Luke Finkel, staff writer

Two of the most successful franchises in NFL history square off in Dallas on Sunday when the Pittsburgh Steelers take on the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XLV (45).

Pittsburgh Steelers

Keep the Terrible Towels waving Pittsburgh.

The team with the most Super Bowl wins in NFL history is the Pittsburgh Steelers, with six Vince Lombardi Trophies, and looking to add one more on Sunday.

A ferocious defense led by recently named Defensive Player of the Year Troy Polomalu, former-Defensive MVP James Harrison, coordinator Dick LeBeau, and other Pro-Bowl caliber players, the Steel-City has the second best defense in the NFL.

They have allowed the least amount of rushing yards this season, and against the Packers’sub-par running game, this will be a huge advantage.

Behind center is elite quarterback, “Big” Ben Roethlisberger. With an arm that makes a 70- yard Hail Mary pass look easy and a deep array of skilled players, the Steelers’ offense will dominate.

Running back Rashard Mendenhall rushed for more than 1,200 yards this season, while receivers Mike Wallace and Hines Ward have combined for almost 2,000 of Roethlisberger’s 3,200 yards this season.

With experience under their belts, Pittsburg already has two Super Bowl victories in the last five seasons (2006 and 2009). Another Super Bowl win for “Big Ben,” the defense, and the city of Pittsburgh will easily put the Steelers as the premiere franchise in the NFL.

– Brandon Eiges

Green Bay

The once-criticized and former Berkeley quarterback Aaron Rodgers has finally stepped out of Brett Favre’s shadow to lead the Packers to their first Super Bowl since a 1998 loss to the Denver Broncos.

A stellar Green Bay defense will also be accompanying Rodgers to Dallas.

He will be leading the sixth best rated offense in the NFL, against the always stingy Pittsburgh defense.

With a strong core of  receivers that includes Greg Jennings, Donald Driver and James Jones, Pittsburgh’s secondary, led by Defensive POY Troy Polamalu, will need to be on their toes all game.

The Packers defense will be lead by pro bowl linebacker Clay Mathews.

They are the third best defense in the league, holding opponents to a mere 282 total yards a game.

Defensive coordinator Dom Capers will be calling the shots for the Packers defense.

He is known for using a variety of defensive-line schemes, putting two, three, and four down-linemen packages.

The defense will need to continue to play at this elite level in order to stop the progressive Steelers’ offense.

The Packers will need to play a solid game, with minimal mistakes, to beat a fantastic Steelers squad.

To watch a video of students’ Super Bowl predictions, go to thecalifornianpaper.com.