Avid sports fan Michael Hogg, of Lawrence, doesn’t like to miss many big games.

While he’s not thrilled with today’s Seattle Seahawks-Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl matchup, he’s going to be glued to the TV.

But that could be a challenge. He and his family will have about 30 friends at their house for a party to watch the game. They will also celebrate Hogg’s return from Kosovo.

Hogg is a sergeant in the Kansas National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 635th Armor unit.

“I enjoy a good party just like I enjoy good football. How do you balance it out? You do your best to watch football in between chatting,” Hogg said.

Kirk Niles, a Kansas University graduate student from Trinidad and Tobago, doesn’t know much about football.

He’ll watch his first Super Bowl today at a party, and he will attempt to understand what has become America’s biggest non-holiday event not only because of the football but also because of the commercials and the halftime show.

“From what I understand, every single thing is important,” Niles said.

ABC is collecting as much as $2.5 million for each 30-second Super Bowl commercial. Super Bowl advertisers traditionally roll out the comedic big guns to make their spots memorable for the tens of millions of viewers.

Brent Hill, of Lawrence, will look to the advertising campaigns to keep his interest. He doesn’t see much luster in today’s game, and he’s a Kansas City Chiefs fan.

“I like watching the commercials. I don’t watch the game simply for that reason, but sometimes, you don’t want to leave during the commercials,” he said.

Tonya Foster, of Lawrence, called the Super Bowl a traditional holiday at her house. Her husband is a football fanatic, she said.

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“I keep quiet when it’s on. It’s all about the game,” she said.

But she will tolerate the game and watch for the commercials to crack her up and the halftime show to entertain her.

Don Meyer, of Lawrence, said he generally watches for the commercials. He plans to get together with friends for the game.

“It’s more of an excuse to have a party,” Meyer said.

Lawrence businesses are preparing for some crowds but mostly to fill carry-out and delivery orders.

“We have a reservation for 30. So they’re having their viewing party here,” said Jeanne Costigan, a manager at Old Chicago, 2329 Iowa.

“The Super Bowl’s a stay-at-home holiday,” said Jason Franklin, owner of Jefferson’s Restaurant, 743 Mass.

Kenny Campbell, store manager for Little Caesar’s Pizza at 1410 Kasold Drive, will double his Sunday staff to help make pizzas.

Ann Nichols, Lawrence, stretches to reach just the right soup bowl Saturday at the Lawrence Arts Center. More than 750 bowls were made for the annual Souper Bowl, which is the Saturday before the Super Bowl every year. The money raised from the pottery sale goes to the arts center's ceramics studio.

Whether this Super Bowl lives up to its hype will depend on the judges and if they are looking for commercial entertainment or a nail-biting game with lots of touchdowns scored.

Ryan Adams, of Lawrence, is hoping for the latter.

“With the commercials, I don’t think they are as good as they used to be. It’s overblown,” he said.

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