The Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers will kick off Super Bowl 50 at 4:30 p.m. Mountain time today, pinning the Broncos’ wily 18-year pro Peyton Manning against the Panthers’ dual-threat quarterback Cam Newton.

The Associated Press released a national poll from Quinnipiac University that showed that 30 percent of the United States wants the Broncos to win, while 23 percent of the nation supports the Panthers.

About 45 percent of the country doesn’t care which team hoists the Lombardi trophy tonight. The margin of error on the poll is plus-or-minus 2.9 percent.

On Friday, ESPN released predictions from their so-called staff of “experts” for the contest.

With 74 total writers, editors, analysts, columnists and pundits polled, only 19 anticipate the Broncos winning, while 55 selected the Panthers to claim the NFL championship.

So in anticipation of the big game, we at The Journal reached out to local Super Bowl viewers to get their take.

Even with over an hour before kickoff, there were football fans getting comfortable at Blondie’s Trophy Room, ready for action.

It was obvious that P.A. Jackson, of Cortez, would be rooting for the Broncos, as he was wearing a throwback John Elway jersey to show his support.

And when asked, he confidently gave his prediction.

“27-24, Broncos,” he said.

Donning a Peyton Manning jersey, Derek Veach will also be pulling for the Colorado squad. And he expects the Broncos to take down the Panthers by a score of 37-25.

But not everyone was in favor of the Blue and Orange.

Kyle Vickers was jeered by friends when he spoke of the game.

“I don’t have a score prediction,” he said. “But I’m going with the Panthers. I have to, it’s a heart-pick.”

With less than 30 minutes until kickoff, we won’t have to wait long to find the results.

So, here were are, at the doorstep of Super Bowl 50 – Broncos vs. Panthers.

The only question left is: Who ya got?

Leave a comment with your score prediction.