Super Bowl LX, a highly anticipated match between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots, will take place Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Although thousands of miles separate the two teams’ home cities, anticipation for the game has spread across the country — including right here in Berkeley, California.
Both teams are no strangers to football's biggest stage, but Super Bowl histories differ greatly. The Seahawks have appeared in three super bowls, winning once in a dominant 43 - 8 victory against the Denver Broncos in 2014. Meanwhile, the New England Patriots hold a league leading 6 super bowl titles across eleven appearances. One of those victories came in a controversial 2015 matchup against the Seahawks, when a last second interception at the goal line sealed New England’s win and sparked outrage among Seahawks fans nationwide.
Despite that history, ESPN lists Seattle as a 4.5 point favorite. Among Berkeley High School students, the verdict is split.
“I think the Patriots are gonna win,” BHS junior Mason McDunn said, “They have a better run game, and they have some deep ball threats.” McDunn also cited the Seahawks quarterback, Sam Darnold, as a potential Achilles heel. “I think he just fails in big games, and I don’t think he's ready for it,” he explained. BHS senior Liam Cyrkler also believed in the Patriots ability to take home the Lombardi trophy. Cyrkler, who pinned most of New England’s past success on their MVP candidate quarterback Drake Maye, still didn't waiver in his support of the team as a whole. “They have the best roster in the league," he said.
Other BHS students agree with the sportsbooks, claiming that the Seahawks will clinch their second Super Bowl title. “The Seahawks will win because they have the best defense in the league,” predicted BHS junior Sam Larner. Other people cite the schedule discrepancy between the two teams as the main reason why the Seahawks deserve the nod. “The Patriots have had a really easy path to the Super Bowl” BHS sophomore Miles Rieger said. Reiger explained how all three of the Patriots playoff opponents up to the Super Bowl experienced major setbacks. In addition, the Patriots regular season schedule was among the easiest in the league. BHS junior Elle Tremblay also predicted the Seahawks will emerge victorious. “I think they will be able to redeem themselves” she said when referring to their 2015 Super Bowl heartbreak at the hands of New England.
As Super Bowl LX approaches, debate continues not only among analysts and oddsmakers, but in classrooms and hallways at BHS. Whether it ends in redemption for Seattle or another championship for New England, the matchup has captured attention far beyond Levi’s Stadium. Simply put by McDunn, “Super Bowl Sunday is one of the best days of the year,” and on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, students across Berkeley will be watching to see which team makes the most of it.