NFL, PIFL announce agreement on development of game officials
The Richmond Raiders professional indoor football team announced today that the National Football League and the Professional Indoor Football League have recently completed a partnership agreement for the development of PIFL officials for the 2012 indoor football season beginning on March 10 in at the Richmond Coliseum and ending with a championship game in late June.
The NFL will recruit, train, evaluate and develop all PIFL officials as part of their comprehensive development process for NFL officials.
“We are looking forward to working with the Professional Indoor Football League,” NFL Vice President of Officiating Carl Johnson said. “This partnership provides another avenue for us to assist in the development of top officiating talent.” Continue reading “NFL, PIFL announce agreement on development of game officials” »
Eugene T. Lee: Tim Tebow – How do we define greatness?
Has there been a more polarizing figure in professional sports over the past year than Tim Tebow? Whether it was his string of fourth quarter comebacks, thrilling overtime playoff victory over the Steelers or public displays of his faith, the name Tim Tebow generates a wide range of reactions from the general public.
Tim Tebow’s faith is an integral part of Tim Tebow the player, the man and the human being. In this day and age where media outlets are littered with player indiscretions and mistakes, it’s refreshing to see one man who practices what he preaches. Tim Tebow is a man who works hard on and off the field; who utilizes his celebrity to help those less fortunate, including sick children in the Philippines (for whom he helped build a children’s hospital). Continue reading “Eugene T. Lee: Tim Tebow – How do we define greatness?” »
Chris Graham: Asking an awful lot to make the Tebow experiment work out
And the great Tim Tebow experiment continues – with the news from Denver Broncos chief of football operations John Elway that Tebow will enter his third season as the incumbent at quarterback after leading the team to the second round of the 2012 NFL playoffs.
Tebow threw for 12 touchdowns and six interceptions in leading Denver to a 7-4 regular-season finish and an improbable wild-card round victory over the favored Pittsburgh Steelers. Tebow struggled mightily in the divisional playoffs Saturday at New England in a 45-10 loss, completing just nine of his 26 pass attempts for 136 yards. Continue reading “Chris Graham: Asking an awful lot to make the Tebow experiment work out” »
Weekend Watchdog: Army-Navy
How do you know the college football regular season is over? Army and Navy play. The annual battle moves to FedEx Stadium this year, on CBS Saturday at 2:30 p.m.
It hasn’t been a great gridiron year for either team – no bowl trips like in 2010. But over 100 years of history permeates the matchup, which will make its first trip to the Nation’s Capital.
The end of the regular season means awards season starts. ESPN has most of the awards Thursday at 9 p.m., and the Heisman Trophy presentation Saturday at 8 p.m.
The old I-AA continues its march to a national championship with the quarterfinals this weekend.Northern Iowa takes on Montana Friday at 8 p.m. on ESPN, and Saturday at noon Montana State battles Sam Houston State on ESPN.
Another AFC team visits Washington this week – Tom Brady and the Patriots take on the Redskins on CBS at 1 p.m. CBS has the doubleheader, with Oakland’s visit to 12-0 Green Bay highlighting the late schedule. FOX in Washington offers the Bears’ trip to Denver.
The NFL network has the Browns facing the Steelers Thursday at 8 p.m. The Cowboys and Giants battle for the top of the NFC East Sunday on NBC, while ESPN has the Rams heading to Seattle Monday night.
In college basketball, CBS has Duke facing Washington Saturday at noon, warming up for the Army-Navy game.
ESPN2 starts its weekend in the Big East, with Harvard at Connecticut Thursday at 7 p.m. followed by West Virginia at Kansas State. Friday at 8 p.m., it’s the battle of Richmond as VCU plays the Spiders.
ESPN offers a pair of contests Saturday – Ohio State at Kansas at 3:15 p.m. followed by the border war of Kentucky-Indiana.
ESPN2 has a full day of hoops Saturday. The day begins in Cincinnati, with the Bearcats taking on Xavier at noon. Oklahoma State plays Pittsburgh at 2:30 p.m., then it’s east on the turnpike to show Villanova-Temple at 5 p.m. West Virginia visits Miami at 7 p.m., and Michigan State closes the night with a game at Gonzaga.
Comcast has four contests on Saturday, starting with Austin Peay at Tennessee at noon. Then it’s west for BYU-Utah at 2 p.m. and Clemson’s trip to Arizona at 4 p.m. George Washington faces Syracuse at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, MASN brings a pair of Big East games – Howard at Georgetown at noon and Fairleigh-Dickinson vs. Louisville at 4 p.m. – with the NEC contest between Loyola and Mt. St. Marys at 2 p.m. Sunday at 2 p.m., South Florida hosts Florida A&M.
Comcast offers the Pennsylvania battle between the Penguins and Flyers Thursday at 7 p.m. The Capitals host Toronto Friday at 7 p.m.
NBC has the Shark’s Shootout Saturday at 2:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m.
Mike Judge blogs at http://weekendWatchdog.wordpress.com.
Weekend Watchdog: Conference title time
Saturday, the 12-member Big Ten will host its first conference championship game. And teams in the 10-member Big 12 will be finishing their regular seasons – too small for a title game this year. That’s how we end the regular season.
In the Big Ten, Michigan State meets Wisconsin in Indianapolis for the BCS berth Saturday on FOX. The Pac-12 also holds its first conference title game, matching Oregon and UCLA Friday at 8 p.m. on FOX.
The league that started it all at major college level – the SEC – has its 20th conference championship game Saturday at 4 p.m. on CBS. Top-ranked LSU faces Georgia, with the Tigers hoping to go for another national championship.
The ACC title game clash between Virginia Tech and Clemson is on ESPN Saturday at 8 p.m.
Other conference championship games include the MAC(Ohio vs. Northern Illinois) Friday at 7 p.m. on ESPN2 and the Conference USA matchup between Southern Mississippi and Houston Saturday at noon on ABC.
It all starts Thursday as West Virginia visits South Florida at 8 p.m. on ESPN. Other Big East teams close out the regular season Saturday at noon – Connecticut at Cincinnati on ESPN while Syracuse visits Pittsburgh on ESPN2.
Without a championship game, the Big 12 brings some rivals together. Oklahoma battles Oklahoma State in a top-10 contest on ABC at 8 p.m.
Versus shows TCU vs. UNLV at 2:30 p.m., with BYU ends the season at Hawaii at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN2.
It’s the weekend of the Colts matchup with New England, annually one of the best TV draws of the season. Not so in 2011. NBC pulled it from the Sunday night lineup weeks ago, putting Detroit at New Orleans there instead.
The Eagles travel to Seattle Thursday on NFL Network to start the weekend, and ESPN has the Chargers playing in Jacksonville Monday night. Sunday, the Redskins are on CBS in Washington as the Jets come to town at 1 p.m. FOX in Washington can only show one game of the doubleheader, going with Packers at Giants at 4:15 p.m.
The Capitals have another big meeting with the Penguins, Thursday at 1 p.m. on Comcast. Ottawa visits Verizon Center Saturday at 7 p.m.
Fresh off the ACC-Big Ten challenge, Virginia hosts Longwood Saturday at 1 p.m. on Comcast. Texas heads to UCLA at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Comcast shows St. Joseph’s at American at 8 p.m.
CBS starts its march to the Final Four with North Carolina visiting Kentucky Saturday at noon.
ESPN brings a pair of matchups between the Big East and SEC Friday – Florida at Syracuse at 7 p.m. followed by Vanderbilt-Louisville. Saturday, Connecticut hosts Arkansas at 3:15 p.m., then Pittsburgh takes on Tennessee.
ESPN2 starts the weekend Thursday at 7:15 p.m., with St. John’s at Kentucky. Georgetown heads to Alabama at 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Gonzaga plays Illinois at 3:15 p.m., followed by South Florida facing Kansas.
MASN has George Washington’s trip to Kansas State Thursday at 8 p.m., and two contests Saturday – Charlotte at East Carolina at 5 p.m. followed by Winthrop at Gardner-Webb. It’s a pair of games Sunday from Washington, with George Washington playing VCU at 2 p.m. followed by Maryland-Notre Dame.
Tiger Woods gets to play with the big boys this weekend, at the Chevron World Championship Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m. on NBC.
More from Weekend Watchdog Mike Judge at http://WeekendWatchdog.wordpress.com.
Weekend Watchdog: Feast of Thanksgiving sports
At Thanksgiving dinner, some brothers fight over the drumsticks. This Thanksgiving, two brothers will be fighting for NFL victory.
Jim Harbaugh brings his surprising 49ers across the country to face brother John’s Baltimore Ravens on the NFL Network game at 8 p.m. Jim’s 49ers have won eight straight, pulling away with the NFC West. John’s Ravens edged Cincinnati Sunday to pull into first place in the AFC North.
The first game of the day looks pretty good too – 10-0 Green Bay at Detroit on FOX. Prepare for plenty of clips from the 1962 Thanksgiving game. In between, the Cowboys host the Dolphins on CBS. Keep Leon Lett away from the ball.
Sunday, the Redskins head west to see if Washington state is a better venue than inside the Washington beltway. Kickoff against the Seahawks is 4 p.m.
CBS shows a doubleheader, with the Bills taking on the Jets at 1 p.m. and Eagles hosting the Patriots at 4:15 p.m. In primetime, the Steelers visit Kansas City on NBC. The Giants head to New Orleans Monday night on ESPN.
The ACC Coastal Division comes down to one game – Virginia Tech at Virginia on ABC at 3:30 p.m. Other areas of the country have the Civil War between Oregon and Oregon State, and in those areas Hokies-Cavs will be on ESPN2.
The college football weekend begins Thursday with the final meeting of Texas and Texas A&M as conference rivals. ESPN has kickoff at 8 p.m.
It’s a full day Friday, beginning at 11 a.m. on ESPN2 with South Florida hosting Louisville. Iowa closes its regular season against new conference foe Nebraska at noon on ABC, followed by Miami vs. Boston College.
CBS has the big game between Arkansas and LSU at 2:30 p.m. ESPN’s primetime doubleheader starts with the Backyard Brawl between Pittsburgh and West Virginia at 7 p.m., followed by California-Arizona State.
Comcast brings Conference USA action at noon, with Houston traveling to Tulsa.
Saturday, the ACC network has North Carolina State trying to become bowl eligible against Maryland at 12:30 p.m. Comcast brings Duke-North Carolina at 3 p.m.
CBS has the Iron Bowl matching Alabama and Auburn at 3:30 p.m., while NBC has the Bayou Classic between Southern and Grambling at 2:30 p.m.
ABC begins the day with Ohio State-Michigan, then heads west for Notre Dame’s game with Stanford at 8 p.m.
ESPN’s Saturday starts with Georgia at Georgia Tech at noon, then Penn State and Wisconsin battle for a berth in the first Big Ten championship game at 3:30 p.m. In primetime, Clemson faces South Carolina.
ESPN2 offers Rutgers vs. Connecticut at noon and Florida State taking on Florida at 7 p.m.
On FX, Iowa State goes for its second straight big upset at Oklahoma at noon. Versus heads west for Washington State at Washington at 7:30 p.m.
MASN has the Big East game of the week – Cincinnati at Syracuse – at noon before offering New Mexico State at Louisiana Tech at 4 p.m.
Comcast continues in the Conference USA Saturday, as Rice visits SMU at noon before Southern Cal plays UCLA at 10:30 p.m.
NBC offers NHL hockey on Friday, with the Red Wings visiting Boston. Comcast shows the Rangers’ trip to Washington Friday at 4 p.m. and visit to Buffalo Saturday at 7 p.m.
Feast Week features plenty of college basketball throughout the weekend. ESPN2 gets it going at noon Thursday with Texas Tech vs. Indiana State from the Old Spice Classic. Minnesota-DePaul follows, then it’s west for the 76 Classic – Villanova against UC-Riverside at 4:30 p.m.
It’s back to the Old Spice Classic at 7 p.m., with Wake Forest taking on Dayton followed by Arizona State-Fairfield. At 11:30 p.m., it’s back to the 76 Classic for Oklahoma’s game with Washington State.
Friday, ESPN has games from the Old Spice Classic starting at noon, and the final of the preseason NIT at 5 p.m. ESPN2 continues coverage from the Old Spice Classic, then North Carolina plays South Carolina in Las Vegas at 10 p.m. At midnight, there’s another game from the 76 Classic.
Saturday features another game from Las Vegas at 10:30 p.m. on ESPN2, and Sunday there’s two games from the Old Spice Classic starting at 4:30 p.m. before a final game from the 76 Classic at 9 p.m.
Versus offers action from the Battle 4 Atlantis Thursday, with Central Florida vs. College of Charleston at 2 p.m., then Florida State meeting Massachusetts. The two semifinals are on Friday, starting at 2 p. m., and the consolation and championship game are Saturday starting at 2 p.m.
MASN has the Great Alaska Shootout, starting Thursday at 10:30 p.m., with Central Michigan facing New Mexico State. The semifinals start Friday at 9:30 p.m., followed by the third place game Saturday at 9:30 p.m. and the championship at midnight.
In the lower 48 on MASN, Ohio takes on Louisville Friday at 7 p.m.
ESPN has women’s basketball Sunday, with Baylor visiting Tennesee at 2 p.m.
More at http://WeekendWatchdog.wordpress.com.
Weekend Watchdog: Speed, kicks come to an end
It’s championship weekend for NASCAR and the MLS. The Sprint Cup champion will be crowned Sunday at Homestead, with ESPN providing coverage at 3 p.m. Carl Edwards holds a slim lead over Tony Stewart, who has won four of the first nine races in the chase.
The MLS season closes Sunday at 9 p.m. on ESPN, when Los Angeles plays Houston for the MLS Cup. The Galaxy finished the season with the best record in the MLS, and will be playing at home against the Dynamo – seventh best in the regular season. Former Virginia soccer coach Bruce Arena and David Beckham look to keep the Cup in L.A.
The Nationwide racers also end their campaign this weekend, with the final green flag dropping Saturday at 4:30 p.m. on ESPN2.
Virginia Tech opens the college football weekend Thursday, hosting North Carolina on ESPN at 8 p.m. Friday, second-ranked Oklahoma State travels to Iowa State on ESPN at 8 p.m.
Virginia tries to keep alive its hope for an ACC championship, traveling to Florida State Saturday at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN2. The ACC network offers Georgia Tech at Duke at 12:30 p.m., and Comcast has Maryland playing Wake Forest at 3 p.m. Clemson gears up for the ACC championship game, facing N.C. State on ABC at 3:30 p.m.
Notre Dame hosts Boston College at 4 p.m on NBC.
ABC’s afternoon offerings include Penn State at Ohio State or Texas Tech-Missouri. ESPN will carry the Penn State game in the Fishersville area. In primetime, ABC has either USC vs. Oregon or Oklahoma traveling to Baylor.
Arkansas hosts Mississippi State on CBS at 3:30 p.m.
Versus has “The Game” – Harvard vs. Yale – Saturday at noon. Then it’s out west for Colorado State at TCU, with Colorado taking on UCLA at 7:30 p.m.
ESPN begins its Saturday with Nebraska’s trip to Michigan at noon. Top-ranked LSU takes on Mississippi at 7 p.m., followed by California’s battle with Stanford. ESPN2 has Wisconsin facing Illinois at noon.
MASN opens the day with a Big East battle between Louisville and Connecticut at noon. Liberty faces Stony Brook at 3:30 p.m., with the WAC game between Utah State and Idaho following. Comcast’s CAA game at noon features William & Mary at Richmond.
FX brings Kansas State taking on Texas at 8 p.m.
Can the Redskins stop their losing streak? The Cowboys come to town Sunday at 1 p.m. on FOX. That means CBS in Washington can only show one game – San Diego at Chicago at 4:15 p.m.
The Eagles try to slow their recent troubles on NBC Sunday Night, as the Giants come calling. The Chiefs visit New England on ESPN Monday night, while NFL Network showcases the Jets at Tim Tebow and the Broncos Thursday at 8:15 p.m.
It’s President’s Cup weekend down under. Golf Channel has the live coverage in primetime, and NBC offers tape-delayed action Saturday at 8 a.m. and Sunday at noon.
ESPN2 gets college basketball going for the weekend Thursday at 5 p.m., as Maryland plays Alabama. It’s Texas A&M vs. Mississippi State at 7 p.m., followed by Arizona-St. John’s. Friday, there’s two games from the Coaches vs. Cancer tournament starting at 4:30 p.m. At 9 p.m., it’s a semifinal game from Puerto Rico.
The championship game from Puerto Rico will be Sunday at 8 p.m., with the third place game tipping at 5:30 p.m.
MASN offers a basketball battle of Baltimore Thursday at 7 p.m., with Loyola facing UMBC. Sunday at 1 p.m., Coppin State travels to Connecticut.
The Capitals make their first trip to Southeast Division rival Winnipeg Thursday at 8:30 p.m. on Comcast and travel to Toronto Saturday at 7 p.m.
Weekend Watchdog: Hokie high on Thursday night
The Hokies like Thursday night football. ESPN must like the Hokies.
Virginia Tech gets back-to-back dates on Thursday night football, starting this week with a trip to Georgia Tech Thursday at 8 p.m.
The Hokies have a 17-5 record on Thursday nights on ESPN, and have defeated Georgia Tech three times since joining the ACC in 2004. A win Thursday will go a long way to putting the Hokies in the ACC title game in December.
Virginia, fresh off its sixth win of the season, looks to improve its bowl situation when Duke visits Saturday at 3 p.m. on Comcast. The ACC Network offers North Carolina State at Boston College at 12:30 p.m.
Notre Dame brings along the national spotlight to its game with Maryland, at 7:30 p.m. on NBC from FedEx Field.
Florida State meets Miami Saturday at 3:30 p.m. in one of ABC’s afternoon contests. Other games in those slots are Michigan at Illinois (ESPN will air this game in the Fishersville area) and Texas A&M taking on Kansas State. The day starts at noon on ABC with either West Virginia-Connecticut or Oklahoma State battling Texas Tech. In primetime, Oregon faces Stanford.
CBS offers an SEC doubleheader, with Florida facing South Carolina at noon before Auburn goes to Georgia – don’t get stuck in the hedges.
ESPN starts its Saturday at noon with Nebraska at Penn State, and the primetime SEC game matches Alabama and Missisissippi State at 7:45 p.m.
Friday, ESPN2 has South Florida taking on Syracuse at 8 p.m. Saturday, Michigan State travels to Iowa at noon, then Arkansas plays Tennessee at 6 p.m. The night ends with Idaho meeting BYU at 9:15 p.m.
The Big East game of the week matches Louisville and Pittsburgh at noon on MASN. Old Dominion takes on William & Mary at noon on Comcast.
Versus starts the day at noon with Pennsylvania at Harvard, then shows TCU-Boise State at 3:30 p.m. The PAC-12 takes the stage at 10:30 p.m. with Arizona State going to Washington State.
At noon, FX has Texas heading to Missouri for the final time as conference foes. Washington takes on USC at 3:45 p.m.
It’s anchors away as the college basketball season tips off this weekend. Top-ranked North Carolina takes on Michigan State from the deck of the USS Carl Vinson Friday at 7 p.m.
MASN begins its college basketball coverage Friday with a Big East doubleheader – Tennessee-Martin against Louisville at 7 p.m. followed by Mt. St. Mary’s at Marquette. There’s two more games Saturday – Syracuse taking on Fordham at 4 p.m. then St. Francis plays Seton Hall at 7 p.m. – and Sunday Alabama State meets Cincinnati at 7 p.m.
It’s the first week of games on NFL network, with the Chargers hosting Oakland Thursday at 8:15 p.m. Division matchup continue in primetime, with the Patriots facing the Jets Sunday on NBC and Minnesota at Green Bay Monday on ESPN.
Sunday afternoon, the Redskins travel to Miami at 1 p.m. on FOX before the Giants take on San Francisco. CBS in Washington follows the Ravens west for their game with Seattle at 4 p.m.
Tony Stewart keeps winning, and Carl Edwards keeps holding onto the points lead. This week, Phoenix hosts the NASCAR racers Sunday at 3 p.m. on ESPN. The Nationwide racers go Saturday at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN2.
The Capitals visit New Jersey Friday at 7 p.m. on Comcast, and the teams meet again in Washington Saturday.
The Big East crowns its men’s soccer champion Sunday at noon on MASN. The United States plays France in an International Friendly Friday at 2:55 p.m. on ESPN2.
Comcast has ACC volleyball between Georgia Tech and N.C. State Sunday at 1 p.m.
Weekend Watchdog: SEC Playoff, Game One
Who’s going to the national championship in January? After Saturday, we’ll probably know who has the inside track from the SEC – and who will be left to go somewhere else.
CBS has coverage of top-ranked LSU taking on No. 2 Alabama Saturday at 8 p.m.
Both teams have won national championships in the past four years. LSU has some big wins away from home – over Oregon at Dallas and at West Virginia – that should help as the Bayou Tigers head to Alabama.
The winner should claim the SEC West, and a matchup against South Carolina may loom before the national championship game in New Orleans.
ESPN begins the college football weekend in the ACC, with Florida State heading to Boston College Thursday at 8 p.m. Friday, Southern Cal visits new conference rival Colorado at 9 p.m. on ESPN, while ESPN2 shows Central Michigan at Kent State.
Virginia tries to get its sixth win against Maryland Saturday at 12:30 p.m. on the ACC network.
ABC’s prime time contests match Notre Dame and Wake Forest, while others will see No. 3 Oklahoma State face Kansas State (ESPN2 shows the alternate game). In the afternoon, ABC offers No. 4 Stanford at Oregon State, Texas A&M against Oklahoma and Purdue-Wisconsin. ESPN2 carries one of the games not on the air in your area.
It’s not quite Army-Navy, but CBS shows Army vs. Air Force at 3:30 p.m.
ESPN opens the day at noon with Michigan’s trip to Iowa. In primetime, South Carolina battles Arkansas at 7:15 p.m.
Comcast offers Duke taking on Miami at 3 p.m., then Oregon plays Washington at 10:30 p.m.
MASN has the Big East battle between teams wanting to join the Big 12 – Louisville at West Virginia at noon – followed by Liberty-VMI.
FX goes with Texas Tech at Texas at noon. Versus features Arizona State against UCLA at 7:30 p.m.
AFC North rival Baltimore and Pittsburgh take their grudge match to NBC Sunday night. ESPN has the Bears taking on Philadelphia Monday night.
The Redskins host San Francisco Sunday at 1 p.m., followed by the Giants at New England. CBS in Washington goes with Tim Tebow leading Denver to Oakland.
It’s down to the final three races in the Chase for the Sprint Cup, this week in Texas. The NASCAR drivers hit the track Sunday at 3 p.m. on ESPN, while the Nationwide racers go Saturday at 12:55 p.m. on ESPN2.
The Capitals have road games Friday at Carolina on Comcast and Saturday at the Islanders. Comcast shows the Devils’ visit to Philadelphia Thursday at 7 p.m.
It’s almost college basketball season and MASN has the preseason matchup between Louisville and Bellarmine Thursday at 7 p.m.
It’s time for the Breeders Cup, from Churchill Downs this year. ESPN2 begins the races Friday at 4 p.m., then ABC has coverage Saturday at 2 p.m. ESPN carries the rest of the slate starting at 3:30 p.m.
The MLS playoffs continue with a doubleheader Thursday on ESPN2. Houston hosts Philadelphia at 8:30 p.m., then New York heads to Los Angeles at 11 p.m. ESPN will have a conference final matchup Sunday at 9 p.m.
The Big East women’s soccer championship will be on MASN Sunday at noon.
The ACC field hockey tournament semifinals are on Comcast Friday at 1 and 3 p.m. The championship will be Sunday at 1 p.m.
Weekend Watchdog column by Mike Judge
Weekend Watchdog: Cavaliers in prime time
Last season, the win over Miami was a lone bright spot in Virginia’s dismal season.
Thanks to that, they get a prime time slot on ESPN Thursday night. We’ll see if they’re worthy.
The Cavaliers and Hurricanes kick off the college football weekend on ESPN and ESPN3D Thursday at 8 p.m. Both have beaten Georgia Tech in the past two weeks, but Virginia followed that up with a 28-14 loss to North Carolina State.
The ACC network brings home the Hokies this week, with the trip to Duke on Saturday at 12:30 p.m.
Comcast gives ACC fans Boston College taking on Maryland Saturday at 3 p.m. On ABC in primetime, undefeated Clemson takes on Georgia Tech.
Elsewhere in the country, ESPN’s Friday night game matches BYU and TCU at 8 p.m.
A week before the big SEC showdown, CBS has the battle between Georgia and Florida Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
Notre Dame tries to bounce back against Navy Saturday at 3:30 p.m. on NBC.
ABC’s afternoon slate includes Baylor-Oklahoma State, Illinois taking on Penn State and West Virginia at Rutgers. ESPN2 will carry one of the games not on the air in your area. In primetime, Stanford at Southern Cal will go to areas not getting Clemson-Georgia Tech.
ESPN begins its day at noon with Michigan State heading to Nebraska, followed by a top 10 matchup between Oklahoma at Kansas State. The primetime matchup has Wisconsin facing Ohio State.
On ESPN2, Purdue goes to Michigan at noon. South Carolina tries to stay in front of its division at Tennessee at 7:15 p.m.
MASN starts the day with Syracuse at Louisville at noon, then goes to the Big South for Presbyterian at Liberty. At the conclusion of that game, it’s off to the WAC for the finish of Hawaii vs. Idaho.
Comcast offers the CAA Saturday with James Madison at Old Dominion at noon.
FX has Missouri at Texas A&M at noon.
Wednesday’s rain in St. Louis pushed Game 6 of the World Series to Thursday. If the Cardinals win, Game 7 will be Friday at 8 p.m. on FOX.
The Redskins head north of the border Sunday, meeting Buffalo on FOX at 4 p.m. CBS has the doubleheader coverage, with the winless Dolphins at the Giants at 1 p.m., followed by New England taking on Pittsburgh.
NBC offers the Cowboys against the Eagles Sunday night, while the Chargers head to Kansas City for ESPN’s Monday Night Football Halloween night.
It’s a short time until the end of the NASCAR, so let’s visit the short track at Martinsville. The racers are on ESPN Sunday at 1 p.m. Carl Edwards maintains the lead in the Chase for the Sprint Cup as October finishes.
The MLS playoffs start this weekend. ESPN2 has Philadelphia taking on Houston Sunday at 4 p.m.
The Capitals are out west this weekend, meeting Edmonton Thursday at 9:30 p.m. on Comcast and Vancouver Saturday at 10:30 p.m.
Comcast has ACC women’s soccer Thursday at 7 p.m., as Virginia hosts Virginia Tech. Friday, the men takes the spotlight as Maryland visits Clemson.
The Professional Bull Riders hold their World finals this weekend. Versus has coverage starting at 9 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, while NBC covers the final day Sunday at 4 p.m.
The Pan American Games close out this weekend in Mexico. ESPN2 has coverage Thursday at 8:55 p.m. and Friday at 8 p.m.
The final of the WTA championships will be Sunday at 1 p.m. on ESPN2.
It’s ACC volleyball Sunday at 1 p.m., with Virginia Tech taking on Miami.
Weekend Watchdog: Fall Classic time
Can you imagine? A Fall Classic that ends in October.
The World Series got underway Wednesday and – unlike last year – will not last into November.
The National League’s win in the All-Star game gives the wild-card Cardinals the home-field advantage – wonder if they’ll thank Prince Fielder for that. FOX has Game 2 Thursday at 8 p.m., then the scene shifts to Texas for the weekend. Games start Saturday and Sunday at 8 p.m., and Monday is Game 5 if necessary.
If the teams return to St. Louis for the final two, they will be Wednesday and Thursday at 8 p.m.
For the second straight year, the NFL puts a Sunday night game against a World Series game – and again it’s from New Orleans. The Saints play the flailing Colts at 8:15 p.m., and the ESPN Monday night game matches Baltimore and Jacksonville.
The Redskins will try to stop Cam Newton and the Panthers Sunday at 1 p.m. on FOX. Most of the nation will get to see the undefeated Packers visit Minnesota in the second game, while CBS in Washington offers the Steelers’ trip to Arizona.
The college football weekend begins Thursday when UCLA visits struggling Arizona on ESPN at 9 p.m. The Big East provides the action Friday at 8 p.m., with West Virginia meeting Syracuse on ESPN while Rutgers tackles Louisville on ESPN2.
NBC puts Notre Dame in prime time Saturday, when the USC Trojans visit South Bend at 7:30 p.m.
Top-ranked LSU hosts Auburn Saturday at 3:30 p.m. on CBS, while ABC offers three options in the time slot – Maryland vs. Florida State, Nebraska-Minnesota and Texas A&M taking on Iowa State. ESPN2 will have one of those games that your ABC affiliate doesn’t show.
On ABC in primetime, Stanford hosts Washington while Texas Tech heads to Oklahoma.
The ACC network offers Wake Forest at Duke at 12:30 p.m.
Virginia Tech hosts Boston College Saturday at 3 p.m. on Comcast. The PAC-12 game between Oregon State and Washington State follows at 10:30 p.m.
ESPN starts its day in the ACC, with North Carolina taking on Clemson at noon followed by Georgia Tech’s trip to Miami at 3:30 p.m. In primetime, Wisconsin battles Michigan State. ESPN2 has Illinois battling Purdue at noon, then has Tennessee’s trip to Alabama at 7:15 p.m.
MASN offers three games Saturday, starting with Connecticut at South Florida at noon. The WAC game between Louisiana Tech and Utah State will be joined in progress at 3:30 p.m., and at 7 p.m. it’s the Big South matchup between Gardner-Webb and Coastal Carolina.
FX offers Oklahoma State at Missouri at noon, while Versus has Yale at Pennsylvania to start the day. At 3:30 p.m., it’s Air Force at Boise State in a Mountain West contest that could move to the Big East in the future.
Did you know the UFL is still playing? And in Virginia?
Comcast has the Destroyers’ game with Omaha Friday at 7 p.m.
NASCAR brings the excitement of Talladega to ESPN Sunday at 2 p.m.
The Capitals visit the Flyers Thursday on Comcast, and host the Red Wings Saturday at 7 p.m.
It’s the final weekend of the MLS regular season. New York tries to hold onto the spot in the playoffs against Philadelphia, which stands second in the east, Thursday at 8 p.m. on ESPN2.
ESPN2 has women’s volleyball Sunday at 1 p.m., with Michigan taking on Penn State.
Weekend Watchdog: NASCAR at night
It’s halfway through the NASCAR playoff run – time for the final night race of the year.
With Jimmie Johnson lurking in third place, the Sprint Cup racers will hit the track at Charlotte Saturday at 7:30 p.m. on ABC. Johnson’s win at Kansas brought him within four points of leader Carl Edwards, keeping alive his shot at a sixth straight championship.
The Nationwide racers will hit the track Friday at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN2.
It’s off to Las Vegas for the Indy Car racers, who end their season Sunday at 3 p.m. on ABC.
We will have our World Series teams in place by Monday at the latest. The Brewers and Cardinals battle in Game 4 Thursday night on TBS, and Friday it’s Game 5 from St. Louis. If necessary, Game 6 will be Sunday in Milwaukee and Game 7 Monday.
The American League series continues on FOX Thursday afternoon with Game 5 from Detroit. If necessary, Game 6 will be Saturday at 8 p.m. and Game 7 Sunday.
A week after unbeaten teams took the NFL spotlight, struggling teams play in primetime this week. The 1-4 Vikings visit Chicago Sunday night on NBC, while the winless Dolphins battle the Jets on ESPN Monday night.
The Redskins come off their bye to face the Eagles at home on FOX at 1 p.m., followed by the Cowboys visit to New England. CBS in Washington shows the Ravens’ game with the Texans at 4 p.m.
The college football weekend starts Thursday at 9 p.m. when Southern Cal takes on California on ESPN. Friday, it’s more West Coast action with Hawaii meeting San Jose State.
Saturday, CBS offers top-ranked LSU at Tennessee at 3:30 p.m., while ABC shows either Oklahoma State at Texas or Ohio State-Illinois (ESPN has the game that’s not over the air in your area).
The ACC network goes with Miami at North Carolina at 12:30 p.m.
ESPN starts the day in Michigan, with the Wolverines battling the Spartans at noon. ESPN2 also has the Big Ten at noon, as Indiana visits Wisconsin. ESPN2 has Alabama facing Mississippi at 6 p.m. followed by Oklahoma-Kansas. ESPN offers Florida at Auburn at 7 p.m. before heading west for Arizona State meeting Oregon.
FX has Baylor vs. Texas A&M – on the field, not in the court room – Saturday at noon
Comcast starts the day in the CAA, with New Hampshire taking on William & Mary at noon. Then it’s off to Conference USA, when South Florida plays SMU at 3:30 p.m.
MASN has a Big East doubleheader Saturday, starting with Louisville at Cincinnati at noon. South Florida visits Connecticut at 3:30 p.m.
Versus starts its day in the Ivy League at 3:30 p.m. – Pennsylvania at Columbia – before showing Stanford at Washington State at 7:30 p.m.
The Capitals visit Pittsburgh Thursday at 7 p.m. on Comcast, then host Ottawa Saturday at 7 p.m.
As the MLS season winds down, ESPN2 shows Real Salt Lake at Colorado Friday at 10:30 p.m. Sunday, Chivas USA meets Los Angeles at 9 p.m. on ESPN.
