Party pointer: Stifle chitchat during game

America's unofficial national holiday is Sunday, a time when even those who don't know the difference between a first down and a touchdown look forward to the Big Game.

Or at least the commercials.

Super Bowl parties will spring up all over when the New England Patriots meet the New York Giants, and Deadspin.com was kind enough to post 20 pointers it originally ran in 2009 to make sure any gathering is fun for all.

Or at least the football fans.

The highlights (with expletives deleted):

-- "If there are people at your party who don't know ... football, they better ... all be women."

-- "You must have a high-definition television."

-- "Do not mix partisan guests and nonpartisan guests. Don't invite two die-hard Steeler fans to a party with 40 other people."

-- "Make the volume of the TV loud enough to shut down any potential conversation. If people want to have a free range discussion during the game, they can do it in the ... kitchen."

That last suggestion really is the point. It's about the game, not the party. So here's a plea to nonfootball fans: Let us enjoy the game. We'll give you the commercials and halftime show.

■ STEP UP, VEGAS -- Time to get that stadium built.

OK, so the NFL probably never will put a team here, but commissioner Roger Goodell said Thursday the league could add two clubs to get to 34.

He said on NBC Sports Network's "Costas Live" that expansion is his preference should the NFL return to Los Angeles. Goodell said he doesn't want to move a team, even if Jacksonville makes as much sense being home to an NFL franchise as San Diego State does joining the Big East Conference.

The NFL would move to Los Angeles tomorrow if it could, and once that happens, Goodell acknowledged, "We probably don't want to go to 33" teams.

So if Los Angeles gets one team, which city gets the other?

Goodell has said London is a possibility, even though sports betting is legal there. It would be interesting to hear his argument about how going to London would be different from planting a team in Las Vegas.

Time is on Las Vegas' side because Los Angeles still hasn't settled on a stadium plan. But once L.A. makes a move, the clock begins ticking.

Other than Los Angeles, Las Vegas makes more sense than any other American city.

Yes, the NFL probably never takes us seriously, but that's no excuse for our city's leaders. Don't sit still, Las Vegas.

■ THAT'S WHY IT'S NOT THE SEC -- New Ohio State coach Urban Meyer already has made quite an impression.

The guy who led Florida to two national championships convinced players to renege on commitments to Michigan State and Wisconsin, riling coaches at those jilted schools.

Badgers coach Bret Bielema told Sporting News that "we at the Big Ten don't want to be like the SEC -- in any way, shape or form."

Yeah, you don't want to be in a league that sets the standard for excellence.

Now we know why the Big Ten can't measure up to the Southeastern Conference. Even UNLV got a couple of players to flip commitments. It's how business is done.

COMPILED BY MARK ANDERSON LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL