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.
Weekend Watchdog: Enjoy pro basketball while it lasts
The WNBA championship could be decided this weekend. Then it might be a long time until there’s pro basketball on TV.
While the start of the NBA season is delayed by lockout, the Dream and Lynx battle for the WNBA championship on ESPN2. Minnesota won the first two games at home, and Game 3 is Friday at 8 p.m. If the Dream win, Game 4 tips Sunday at 4 p.m. from Atlanta.
If necessary, Game 5 will be Wednesday from Minnesota. Then it might be a long time until pro basketball tips again.
The baseball playoffs enter the League Championship round this weekend. FOX has the American League series, starting Saturday with the Rangers facing either the Yankees or Tigers. They battle Thursday on TBS at 8:30 p.m. in the deciding game of their series.
The National League championship round starts Sunday on TBS after a pair of Game 5 contests Friday. Milwaukee faces Arizona at 5 p.m., then the Phillies host St. Louis at 8:30 p.m.
It’s the first week of byes in the NFL, with six teams getting the week off – including the Ravens and Redskins. CBS has the doubleheader
Sunday, with Tennessee going to Pittsburgh at 1 p.m. followed by the Jets’ visit to New England. FOX in Washington shows the Seahawks facing the Giants.
NBC gets the Packers’ visit to Atlanta on Sunday night, while ESPN visits Detroit Monday night for the game with the Bears.
The NHL season gets underway this weekend, as the Capitals host Carolina Saturday at 7 p.m. on Comcast. Versus opens its coverage Thursday at 7 p.m. when the Stanley Cup champion Bruins face Philadelphia. In the nightcap, Vancouver hosts Pittsburgh. The New York Rangers have to head east to face California teams on Versus – the Kings Friday and the Ducks Saturday at 1 p.m. from Stockholm.
The college football weekend begins Thursday at 9 p.m. with California taking on Oregon. Friday, Boise State faces Fresno State at 9 p.m. on ESPN.
CBS brings top-ranked LSU against Florida Saturday at 3:30 p.m., while NBC offers Air Force at Notre Dame.
ABC gets its day started with the Red River rivalry Saturday at noon, as Texas and Oklahoma play in Dallas. At 3:30 p.m., ACC country will watch the Hokies try to bounce back against Miami. Other areas will see Iowa at Penn State or Missouri-Kansas State, with ESPN showing one of those games in our area.
In primetime, Ohio State limps into Lincoln for a Big Ten matchup with Nebraska.
ESPN has Minnesota at Purdue at noon, while ESPN2 shows Louisville taking on North Carolina. Both networks go to the SEC at 7 p.m., with Auburn at Arkansas on ESPN and Georgia-Tennessee on ESPN2.
FX brings Texas A&M facing Texas Tech at 7 p.m., while Versus shows Stanford hosting Colorado at 7:30 p.m.
The ACC network brings Wake Forest vs. Florida State Saturday at 12:30 p.m. Comcast has ACC action Saturday at 3 p.m. with Boston College going to Clemson, then it’s off to the PAC-12 at 11 p.m. when Washington State battles UCLA.
MASN has the Big East game of the week Saturday at noon, with West Virginia hosting Connecticut. It’s off to the Big South at 7 p.m. when VMI travels to Coastal Carolina.
Like some high school football? ESPN2 goes to Texas Thursday at 8 p.m. to show Allen vs. Plano East.
NASCAR heads to Kansas Sunday at 2 p.m. on ESPN, while the Nationwide racers go Saturday at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN2.
Virginia soccer hosts Maryland Friday at 7 p.m. on Comcast.
Comcast has ACC women’s soccer Thursday at 8 p.m. with Clemson taking on North Carolina.
ESPN2 has Big Ten volleyball Sunday at 1 p.m., with Indiana facing Nebraska.
