Monday, January 30, 2006 7:45 PM

Tiffany Fallon, the 2005 Playboy Playmate of the Year, watched Super Bowl XXXIII from the sideline as a cheerleader for the Atlanta Falcons. The Florida State graduate will watch this year's Super Bowl with Hugh Hefner at the Playboy Mansion after attending "Playboy Super Saturday Night," the magazine's renowned party the day before the Super Bowl, in Detroit.

Tell me your thoughts on the Super Bowl?

There's a lot of heart in Pittsburgh, but I just see Seattle being a really, really strong contender. They seem like they have their act together. . . .They remind me of what Denver was when they went to the Super Bowl with [quarterback John] Elway--just really not a lot of talk, going in there with a lot of game.

I used to be a cheerleader with the Atlanta Falcons, and I went to the '99 Super Bowl with Denver and the Falcons in Miami, and it was the same thing. Atlanta did a lot of talking, and Denver showed up much like I think Seattle will.

And I really like [Seattle Coach Mike] Holmgren. He's been to Super Bowls before. He's just a strong player's coach, and I think he's pretty well respected.

That's cool that you got to go to a Super Bowl. What was that like?

I cheered one year, Richard, one for the Atlanta Falcons, and we went to the Super Bowl.

That's awesome .

I'm originally from Fort Lauderdale. I grew up going to the Dolphins' games, and it was just a really surreal moment for me. There is nothing better than being on the sideline for a Super Bowl game -- except when one of your star players [Falcons safety Eugene Robinson] hits the streets in Miami with a hooker, and then you're screwed for the rest of the game.

That's true! I remember that.

Unfortunately, that was such a downer. It stemmed from the ownership all the way down through any fan that was there on behalf of the Falcons. It really was just a heartbreaker even before we got on the field. But I had a good time. The guys played as well as they could being sidetracked. But stuff happens, especially when you're not used to going to environments like that.

Are you going to the game this year?

You know, last year I went to the game. I'm not going to go this year. I've got to travel back to L.A., and it's a long flight back. But I'm going to be out there the whole week before, up until the party, of course, on Saturday.

Are you going to watch the game, though?

Heck yeah! I'll be back at the mansion, at Hef's place, watching the game. He always has a big shindig at the mansion.

What's it like watching a game at the Playboy Mansion?

It'll be my first time. I would assume it's like watching movies there. Hef always has movie night there, where his closest friends and celebrity friends come over. And of course the girls from "The Girls Next Door" come over. He usually throws some sort of buffet, which is amazing. And then we go into the big living room/entertainment area to watch the game. I know Kendra, one of [the girls from] "The Girls Next Door" is a big football fan. I'm not sure if she's a Seattle or Pittsburgh fan, but I'm sure she'll have one of the jerseys on . . . or not at all. (Laughs)

Are you a big Florida State fan, having gone there?

Of course. I've been truly disappointed in the last few years. I went to Florida State back between '92 through '96, so, you know, the Charlie Ward game and some strong teams. It's disheartening to see the team right now.

They went to a BCS Bowl, though, so they had a decent season.

Yeah, they had a great season this year. But I'm just so spoiled because when I was there they were so great.

I was at the first game that Ward played, and he was booed. People were like, 'Boooo! Get him off the field! Put [Danny] Kanell in.' This guy stinks.' And then a few games later everyone loves him and now he's in the Florida State Hall of Fame.

I used to be a Garnet and Gold Girl. We used to, you know, be the people to bring in the blue-chip athletes and give them tours. So I spent a lot of time around that organization. And Bobby Bowden is just amazing. He is just an excellent sound bite. He always treats everyone like kin, and I think he really sells the program.

I can't imagine what FSU football would be without him.

And that was so sweet to see him and [Penn State Coach Joe] Paterno at the end of the season. You couldn't write that any better. They've always had problems with kickers, though. (Laughs)

Are a lot of the Playmates into sports, or are you the exception to the rule?

I don't know. I think there are still a lot of younger girls that are in college still. I think they follow their college teams. But I would say there are a select few that follow sports. I think we're a different age range, too. There are girls anywhere from 18 to, you know, me, being in my thirties. We all tend to come from different parts of the country and outside of the country, so we have a different appreciation for different things.

-- Rich Campbell