Apparently there's a larger-than-normal sporting event going on this weekend. If you're not quite ready for the big game, here are some links that may interest you:

• Slate magazine shows what it would be like if famous filmmakers 'directed' the Super Bowl [via kottke]
• Freakonomics Blog at NYT ponders what it would be like to play football without a helmet, among other amusing things
• Mental Floss tests your knowledge of the Bud Bowl in their latest lunchtime quiz
• Lifehacker suggests using baking powder to make restaurant-quality wings at home
• The Onion covers the Super Bowl the way only they can
• Macworld gives some pointers for setting up your HDTV for the Super Bowl and Olympics
• Macworld also collected a list of great Super Bowl-related iPhone & iPod Touch apps
• Cooking Light presents a Super Bowl menu makeover that looks quite appetizing

Here are some books that may interest you this weekend, available here at CPL:

Football for dummies, 3rd edition by Howie Long, John Czarnecki

The ultimate Super Bowl book : a complete reference to the stats, stars, and stories behind football's biggest game-- and why the best team won by Bob McGinn ; foreword by Michael MacCambridge

A little something : more than 150 snacks, hors d'oeuvres,and appetizers for every craving and occasion by Susan Epstein