Puppy Bowl 2012: Starting Line-up Announced, Pictures Released [PHOTOS & VIDEO]

Fans might be excited to see the New England Patriots and the New York Giants face off in the Super Bowl XLVI, but it certainly is not the only highly anticipated game scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 5. Animal lovers across America will be thrilled to hear that Animal Planet is bringing the Puppy Bowl back for its eighth consecutive seasonal game on Super Bowl Sunday.

Following the Patriots' and Giants' wins on Sunday, Animal Planet released the starting line-up for its very own Bowl. The players are adorable puppies ranging slightly in size and breed, but each is undeniably cute.

Most of the pups are no more than 10 weeks old, but what they lack in experience, they make up for in enthusiasm. The line-up includes a range of pups from Aberdeen, the 10-week-old Australian Shepherd mix, to Gracie, the 12-week-old Chihuahua/Dachshund mix. The full line-up, including photos and bios, can be seen on Animal Planet's web site.

The Puppy Bowl was immensely popular last year with reportedly 9.2 million people tuning in for the event. This year the Puppy Bowl VIII will begin at 3 p.m. EST on Sunday, Feb. 5 before the Super Bowl on Animal Planet.

Watch the 2011 Puppy Bowl Starting Line Up:

Watch the 2010 Puppy Bowl Highlights: