Sunday's cutest players: Prep for Puppy Bowl VIII with game-day analysis for fans and fantasy players

Football’s biggest event of the year is almost upon us. Puppy Bowl VIII airs this Sunday at 2 p.m. on Animal Planet. Saying this year’s bowl is going to be huge would be an understatement after last year's incredible final seconds (see the video posted above).

Of course, the kitty halftime show is back with 20 of the country’s top kitten cheerleaders taking the stage. The Piggy Pep Squad will make their debut along with Meep the bird, who will be live-tweeting all the action. Plus, most importantly, the nation’s top puppy athletes will be vying for the championship in Animal Planet Stadium.

 My money is on Hunter the boxer from Ohio.  You can see in his eyes the determination to be a legend. 

Animal Planet released the starting line-up revealing 20 impressive pups. I’ve studied the line-up hard, literally staring at some of these puppies for hours. Fantasy Puppy Bowl nerds, get your pencils out: Here’s my inside scoop on who’s going to make a splash in Puppy Bowl VIII.

Everyone’s worried about the wild pack from Philadelphia this year. Being called the Philadelphia Four, you have Malie, Lucie, Hollie and Brandy all representing the City of Brotherly Love. The crew of collies, pit bulls and mixes have a very tight friendship. Will this be their downfall? I am worried the four will spend too much time wrestling with each other and not enough time getting the ball to the end zone.

The inspirational story of the year goes to Basin, the pug and Jack Russell terrier mix. Although Jack Russells often perform well in sporting events, pugs are not known for their athletic ability. Being picked last in school never got in Basin’s way of chasing his dream. Pugs and Jack Russells everywhere will surely be cheering for him. Look for his uplifting life story in theaters next fall.

Picking a Puppy Bowl MVP is never easy. Last year, proving size doesn’t matter, C.B. took the award home. This year I believe it will be a return to brawn. My money is on Hunter, the boxer from Ohio. You can see in his eyes the determination to be a legend. MVP recognition wouldn’t hurt his future political career, either.

Maggie MacDonald, the medical director of Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter, thinks one of the Philadelphia Four will be taking the award home. “I like Hollie's chance for MVP because she is a Border Collie Mix,” Maggie predicts. “Border Collies are the most intelligent breed, and I imagine she’s got some tactical skills up her sleeve.” 

Tell us: Who do you think will be MVP — Most Valuable Pup?