Killing time before ... well, you know ...

Here’s an early prediction on the Big Game, whether you want it or not:

NFC 52, AFC 49.

Doug Baldwin, MVP.

Oh, you mean that other big game?

SOME OTHER things to ponder, with a week to go before the latest batch of Super Bowl commercials:

• Some people are hyperventilating over the possibility of Gonzaga ascending to the No. 1 spot when the next Associated Press men’s basketball poll is released Monday.

For fans of the “power” schools like North Carolina or Kentucky or Kansas or Duke, another No. 1 ranking would elicit a yawn.

But it’s a big deal for fans of Spokane’s/North Idaho’s/Inland Northwest’s Team.

It would be only the second time the Zags were No. 1. The other time was back in 2013, the Kelly Olynyk-led squad that was knocked out in the round of 32 of the NCAA tournament.

We’ve heard the testimonials on why the Zags are more deserving of No. 1 now.

More talent. More depth. Play better defense.

All nice things.

At this rate, in addition to hearing all the “Could this be the year?” questions, the Zags may also have to deal with the “Could this be the first team since Indiana in 1976 to go undefeated?” questions.

People say, “Oh, how neat it is that a little school in Spokane can be that good in college basketball.” But it’s not like they’re dragging 15 guys out of the general student body and teaching them how to shoot left-handed layups.

The Zags recruit worldwide. They bring in talent on top of talent. Even better, they play well together -- even more impressive this year, with so many new faces. They have the depth this year so that if a couple of players are struggling, they can plug in a couple others and keep in hummin.’ Other teams, if their “stars” are struggling, are in trouble.

In the current era of one-and-dones, the Zags have not been gutted by early departures to the NBA. You look at a team like UCLA, playing so well this season with its freshmen stars. In the old days you would think, “How good will this team be in a couple of years?”

But the reality is, they’ll have a whole different team in a couple of years.

The Zags, on the other hand, are built for sustained excellence.

Last year’s national champions, whose name escapes me, won it with veteran players.

No reason the Zags can’t do it.

• If the 49ers get turned down by their final option for head coach, they should call me.

I’ll coach the team.

Or I’ll bring in my friend Danté to coach the team.

Or he can be the G.M.

Whatever.

Seems like they’re begging — praying — Kyle Shanahan to take the coaching job, then have control over hiring the G.M. They’re hoping he remembers the warm, fuzzy feeling of being a 49ers ball boy, when his dad, Mike, was an offensive coordinator in San Francisco back when the 49ers were good.

And hoping he isn’t reading or listening to all the people saying what a disaster it is in 49ers land these days.

Hardly any players.

Ownership that just can’t get it right when it comes to hiring (or keeping) coaches.

Other than that ... the Bay Area is pretty.

• I enjoyed watching ESPN Classic the last couple of nights after work — the Williams sisters in the final of a grand slam event one night, Federer vs. Nadal the next.

Oh, you mean that was live?

The women’s final of the Australian Open, in particular, was hard to watch. The historian in me wanted Serena to win her 23rd grand slam title, moving ahead of Steffi Graf and one behind Margaret Court on the all-time list. But what a story it would have been for Venus, age 36 and nine years removed from her last grand slam title, to win one for the eighth time.

Serena was heavily favored, and it looked like the weight of it showed on her. A loss in the finals (even this time, to her big sister) always seems devastating to her, and she showed more relief than joy when it was over. Venus, a surprise finalist who played a terrific tournament, showed grace in defeat.

• Not sure why the NCAA feels the need to release the top seeds for the men’s basketball tournament on a weekly basis, much like they do with the College Football Playoff.

Not only is it unneccessary, it could put all those “bracketologists” out of business. It would also eliminate the need for all those stories during the season claiming “(Random Expert) has (Your Team Here) as a No. (whatever) seed in the (take a pick) Region, playing (who cares?) in the first round.”

On Selection Sunday, does anybody remember all that?

• In the time it took you to read this, the Mariners acquired three more players you may have never heard of.

Mark Nelke is sports editor of The Press. He can be reached at 664-8176, Ext. 2019, or via email at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter@CdAPressSports.