The 49ers have a better offense, a better defense, a better Harbaugh. In the past month, few have been better than quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

It’s easy to believe in Kaepernick, a familiar UH opponent. UH coaches used to call him “Freak” because of his strong arm and stronger legs. A UH assistant once noted that Kaepernick could cover 5 yards in two strides. Several videos provided confirmation.

And then one night, the mystique ended. Linebacker Corey Paredes was the Warriors’ leader in aches and damaged ligaments. Paredes probably can cover 5 yards in five strides. But in a crucial point of the 2010 game, Paredes raced across the field to chase down Kaepernick and force a fumble.

Kaepernick is human. The 49ers are humans. With two weeks of preparation, the Ravens win this one in a close game, 24-21.

STEPHEN TSAI
Star-Advertiser Sports Reporter

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It has been a remarkable and memorable playoff run for Ray Lewis and the Ravens, who have risen to the hype that has come to surround it.

And it ends Sunday in New Orleans, courtesy of the San Francisco 49ers.

Lewis, by sheer force of his personality and will, has taken the Ravens to heights that seemed unlikely at the season’s beginning, except to the most hardcore of Baltimore’s faithful.

So expect one more compelling performance with everything expended on the field.

Unfortunately, unlike John Elway, Ted Hendricks, Paul Hornung, Gary Zimmerman and Russ Grimm, who all got the storybook endings, Lewis doesn’t end his career with that ultimate exclamation point, a Super Bowl victory.

San Francisco 27, Baltimore 20.

FERD LEWIS
Star-Advertiser Sports Columnist

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The Ravens’ defense will have had two weeks to prepare for the 49ers’ Colin Kaepernick. What makes Kaepernick problematic, though, are the plays you can’t scheme against. Kaepernick’s accuracy in the pocket is among the reasons he’s progressed from the sometimes erratic passer at Nevada to a Super Bowl quarterback. But his ability to make plays with his long strides remains his most dangerous asset.

Both defenses keep Kaepernick and Baltimore’s Joe Flacco under control for most of the game, but a key Kaepernick scramble extends a late-game drive, eluding even an allegedly deer-antler-enhanced Ray Lewis to break loose. David Akers redeems himself for his struggles this season with the decisive kick to give Jim Harbaugh lifetime bragging rights at family reunions. Lewis bids farewell with an impassioned locker room speech, but the Lombardi Trophy goes back to San Francisco after a 24-21 win.

JASON KANESHIRO
Star-Advertiser Sports Reporter

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Baltimore’s Joe Flacco concedes his personality is dull. But he’s pretty sharp on the field. The quarterback’s postseason experience is why I’m picking the Ravens in a mild upset over San Francisco in the Super Bowl.

In seven playoff games since 2010, Flacco has thrown 15 touchdown passes and just two interceptions. In his three wins on the path to New Orleans, the fifth-year pro has eight TDs and no picks.

The 49ers’ Colin Kaepernick is the flashy one, with the great arm and fast legs and the trendy new scheme. And he’s a pretty cool customer considering he’s been a starting NFL quarterback just half a season.

But as University of Hawaii fans know, the pistol and Kaepernick are far from unbeatable.
Look for a big play or two from Anquan Boldin and the Ravens receiver helps them to a 24-21 win.

DAVE REARDON
Star-Advertiser Sports Columnist

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Had this game been played on January 27, I would have taken the Ravens, given the immense momentum they had after beating the Patriots and Broncos in successive weeks. Had it been played in 2000, when Ray Lewis was at his peak, I would’ve taken the Ravens, given Lewis’ ability to singlehandedly neutralize the 49ers’ annoyingly effective pistol option.

Because neither of these scenarios is the case, I’m going with the 49ers. Lewis, while still an intimidating 3-down presence in the middle, doesn’t have the sideline-to-sideline speed any more to react to the inside option then help on the quarterback keeper. Additionally, the Ravens’ ends are susceptible to the option. Arthur Jones, at 313 pounds, is primarily a run stopper, and Terrell Suggs isn’t fully healthy after battling injuries all year.

In the end, the 49ers will raise the Lombardi Trophy with a 31-27 win.

CHRIS TANAKA
Hawaii News Now Sports Director