DAILY DIRT: What is actually more entertaining, the Super Bowl or the prop bets surrounding it?

Rihanna has had 14 No. 1 songs, so those wagers involving her might be a bit tricky … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 516 of The Daily Dirt.

1. At times, the Super Bowl itself becomes almost secondary to all of the elements and hype surrounding it. 

One of my favorite byproducts of Super Bowl mania concerns all of the “prop bets” that are associated with the game. Prop bets have one thing in common: they are not tied to the result of the game. Instead, they focus on a narrow event within the game, which seriously broadens your horizons.

Here are a few of what I think are some of the most interest prop bets tied to this year’s game:

• Will either team use all its timeouts in regulation?
• Will the national anthem singer forget or omit a word? (yes/no)
• Will any player take a knee? (yes/no) 
• Which player will be shown first during the anthem?
• Will the opening kickoff go for a touchback? 
• How many commercials will feature a baby? 
• How many NFL/NBA/MLB players will appear in all the commercials?
• What song will Rihanna perform first at halftime? 
• How many songs will Rihanna perform? (over/under)
• What color outfit will Rihanna wear?
• How many commercials will feature a dog?
• Will either team miss an extra point?
• Team to have the longest drive.
• First team to score.
• Last team to score.
• Team with the longest punt return
• Team to punt most

You get the idea. Just about anything that will appear on the screen Super Bowl Sunday is subject to wagering.

2. Speaking of the Super Bowl, here’s my prediction — and let me say, I may change my mind (several times) before the big day.

My current pick: Kansas City 27,  Philadelphia 21. This is not a prop bet.

3. A happy Daily Dirt birthday this week to:

• Rocker Alice Cooper turns 75 on Saturday. Best Alice song? “You And Me.” I prefer a more mellow Alice.
• If alive today, baseball Hall of Famer Hank Aaron would be 89 on Sunday. He never wore batting gloves. Never.
• If alive today, baseball legend Babe Ruth would be 128 on Monday. Also a legend OFF the field.
• Singer Garth Brooks will be 61 on Tuesday. Favorite Garth songs? “The Dance,” “Two Pina Colladas,” “Friends In Low Places” and “Callin’ Baton Rouge.”
• Comedian Chris Rock turns 57 on Tuesday. Yeah, he’s a four-letter machine on stage, but the man is hilarious.

Steve Thought O’ The Day — What were electric eels called before electricity was invented?

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. Bet the over.