That’s what makes it all so inane. It’s doubtful that 10 percent of what you hear this week will have anything to do with what happens in the game. For the fan, it’s doubtful that 10 percent of what he or she hears is actually new.

Fans already know that the two coaches — Lovie Smith of the Bears and Tony Dungy of the Colts — are the first African-Americans to coach in the big game, meaning that one of them will be the first of his ethnic background to win. The over/under on how many times you’ll hear that this week is about 26. The over/under on how many times I mention it — and I have no intention of writing about it again — is still around four. The hype has a life of its own; it can’t be resisted.

Fans also know the cast of characters: Peyton Manning, Brian Urlacher, Marvin Harrison, Peyton Manning, Rex Grossman, Dwight Freeney, Peyton Manning, Adam Vinatieri, Joseph Addai, and, of course, Peyton Manning.

Slide show   Week in Sports Pictures Flying on the hardwood, racing on the rink, getting physical on the gridiron, and much more. more photos

There will be a few others and you might even become acquainted with somebody you never knew existed. And as long as you understand that you have no obligation to remember any of it after Sunday night, it will do you no harm.

There will be some sort of betting pool at your place of work, probably involving 100 boxes in a 10-by-10 grid. Don’t worry about how to play — it’s like a lottery, all luck. Just buy a square and wait for somebody to tell you if you won.

Super Bowl Week is the circus that distracts us from reality, but it’s just one week of distraction in the middle of the most dreadful time of the year. It’s spring break for the adults who go there and a little bit of escape for those who stay behind.

It’s our secular holy week, and it brings us all together over a football game. Read and watch all about it. It starts now.