All-Manning Super Bowl not far-fetched

Play Q & A with handicapper Kelly Stewart, who will answer selected questions from Las Vegas Review-Journal readers. Email her at Askkelly@reviewjournal.com.

Q: It’s only November, and this is tough to predict, but which two teams will we see in the Super Bowl in February?

– Ron, Boulder City

A: Well, I think Peyton Manning is shaping up to be the next possible Super Bowl MVP. Denver has shown a lot of promise since its second-half comeback at San Diego on Oct. 15. I have been impressed with the Broncos’ offense, and, as of late, their defense and special teams are making up for some miscues from early in the season. Manning has completed 69.7 percent of his passes for 2,705 yards and 21 touchdowns with only six interceptions. His numbers could get even better with the Broncos facing a weak schedule down the stretch. So, that’s my pick from the AFC.

As far as a second team goes, I’m going with a three-way tie in the NFC right now with the Bears, Giants and 49ers. Chicago and San Francisco were early favorites, but with the health of quarterbacks Jay Cutler and Alex Smith in question after last week’s injuries, it looks like the Giants are poised to make another late-season Super Bowl run. On that note, who wouldn’t love to see an all-Manning Super Bowl?

Q: Did you ever think Southern California would lose three or four games this season? Do you think UCLA has a good shot to win this week?

– Michael, Los Angeles

A: That’s funny you ask. I was just deleting old drafts from my blog and came across one saying “don’t count on USC to be as spectacular as everyone thinks.” It’s not that the Trojans don’t have immense talent. I just think the public tends to inflate teams like that, and it sets their standards too high. It’s almost as if they were destined to fail. As far as UCLA hanging in there close with USC, it’s possible. The Bruins are 3- to 3½-point underdogs, and they need to show up and be the team that trounced Arizona 66-10 two weeks ago.

Q: Congratulations on your confidence to keep betting on Kansas State. Do you have a futures bet to win the BCS title?

– Tony, Las Vegas

A: Let’s just say I have some vested interest in K-State winning it all at pretty big odds. I’ll just leave it at that. I would hate to jinx the Wildcats.

Kelly Stewart of Hottiehandicappers.com can be reached at Askkelly@reviewjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter: @kellyinvegas.