🦃🏈 NFL Turkey Day Preview, College Football Rankings Updated, + More!

Happy Thanksgiving Eve!

Hope you are all having a half-day or at least slacking off for half the day, poll question for you:

We’ll be off on Thursday and Friday, so enjoy the food, football, and family!

WTF Stat: Really cool story about a grad assistant coming out of retirement to set a school record:

🏀 UConn suffered its second consecutive loss at the Maui Invitational, falling to Colorado 73-72. The game was decided by a late off-balance layup from Andrej Jakimovski with eight seconds left.

#1 Kansas held off #11 Duke 75-72 in the Vegas Showdown despite losing star center Hunter Dickinson to an ejection. Dickinson, who had been averaging 17.8 points and 10.4 rebounds, was kicked out midway through the second half after a flagrant-2 foul for kicking Duke's Maliq Brown in the head.

No. 9 Alabama defeated No. 6 Houston 85-80 in overtime at the Players Era Festival. Mark Sears led Alabama with 24 points. Alabama outscored Houston 7-2 in overtime to secure the win. Alabama dominated at the free-throw line, making 30 of 41 attempts, while Houston struggled with foul trouble, losing two players to fouls.

🏈 North Carolina has decided to part ways with football coach Mack Brown, who will not return next season despite having announced just a day earlier that he intended to. Brown, 73, will coach the team's final regular-season game against NC State. Over two tenures at UNC, Brown compiled a record of 113-78-1, making him the winningest coach in the school's history. He also ranks eighth in all-time FBS coaching wins with 288.

🏈 Here is a look at the updated playoff rankings:

Top College Football Games This Weekend - RIVALRY WEEK EDITION

Mississippi State (2-9) at #14 Ole Miss (8-3) - Fri. 3:30 PM (ABC)

What’s At Stake: Oh the Egg Bowl, one of the country’s oldest and most contested rivalries. I was lucky enough to go to three Egg Bowls in a past life and the energy is intoxicating. Throw the records out in this one even though MSU only has two wins, they will fight harder than they have all season to win this game and further spoil Ole Miss’ season. Kiffin is 3-1 in the Egg Bowl, I don’t see them losing this one at home…but 26 is a lot of points.

The Pick: State +26

Michigan (6-5) at #2 Ohio State (10-1) - Sat. 12:00 PM (FOX)

What’s At Stake: The Game doesn’t have the same hype as it has in years past with Michigan having a down year, but the stakes are still high as ever. Ohio State needs to win to secure a spot in the Big Ten Championship for a rematch with Oregon. If Michigan pulls off an upset, Penn State will just need a win over Maryland…if PSU chokes…then IU will go. I don’t think that will happen.

The Pick: Buckeyes -21

#8 Tennessee (9-2) at Vanderbilt (6-5) - Sat. 12:00 PM (ABC)

What’s At Stake: Well this game finally has some teeth, huh? Tennessee can’t make the conference championship game, but that could be to their benefit as long as they beat a resurgent Commodore squad. Not only has Vandy beaten Alabama, they took Missouri, LSU, and Texas to the brink. Do they have one more shocker in them season? I kinda think they do.

The Pick: Vandy +10

#15 South Carolina (8-3) at #12 Clemson (9-2) - Sat. 12:00 PM (ESPN)

What’s At Stake: Playoff spots. South Carolina is one of the hottest teams in the country over the second half of the season. Clemson has a chance to get into the conference championship with a win and a Miami loss. Regardless, a win over South Carolina may be enough to get them an at-large bid. Cade Klubnik has been good this season, but he does have the tendency to wilt in big games. Gamecocks win.

The Pick: USC +3

#3 Texas (10-1) at #20 Texas A&M (8-3) - Sat. 7:30 PM (ABC)

What’s At Stake: For the first time in 13 years the Lone Star Showdown is being played and boy, oh boy, the stakes could not be higher. Winner goes to the SEC Championship game to face Georgia (A&M/Georgia win all the tiebreakers over Tennessee, Texas). Both of these teams could be winless and it would still be awesome, this is the best result of conference realignment. Sit back and enjoy…Texas winning.

The Pick: Horns Up -5.5

Big 12 Chaos

We’ve covered scenarios for the Big 10, ACC, and SEC, the other P4 is a hot mess: The Big 12. Arizona State (at Arizona), Iowa State (vs. Kansas State), Colorado (vs. Oklahoma State), and BYU (vs. Houston) are all 6-2. If they all win, the tiebreaker is common opponents aka the collective win percentage of their opponents. Which means, those percentages could fluctuate depending on the outcomes. This is wild. Technically, the four aforementioned teams have the best chances, but if by chance they all lose, there are 9 Big 12 teams with a shot to get into the title game. Buckle up.

Find the full explanation here

Other Games I’m Keeping an Eye On

Cal at #9 SMU - 3:30 PM (ESPN 2)

Notre Dame at USC - 3:30 PM (CBS)

#6 Miami at Syracuse - 3:30 PM (ESPN)

Purdue at Indiana - 7:00 PM (FS1)

NFL Week 13 Preview

Chicago (4-7) at Detroit (10-1) - 12:30 PM (CBS)

The View: The Bears on paper look dreadful, it’s been a disappointment to say the least after all the investment on both sides of the ball. However, in the last two games, they have looked pretty good, just not good enough to beat solid divisional opponents. Well, the Bears have to travel to the best team in the division for a little Thanksgiving extravaganza. We all know how good the Lions are in all phases of the game, but 10-points is a lot of spread…even on Thanksgiving.

The Pick: Bears +10

Thanksgiving Night (Take a nap Thanksgiving afternoon. Offense meant towards Cowboys/Giants)

Miami (5-6) at Green Bay (8-3) - 8:20 PM (NBC)

The View: The Dolphins are in the process of turning the season around, three straight wins to get back into the Wild Card race. However, have you looked at the weather in Green Bay? Brrrrrr, it’s going to be chilly. Could get into the teens and historically, the Dolphins are 3-7 all-time when the thermometer dips below 23 degrees. About to be 3-8.

The Pick: Pack -3.5

Sunday

Pittsburgh (8-3) at Cincinnati (4-7) - 1:00 PM (CBS)

The View: Pretty surprising that the Bengals are favored in this game. I would guess that the line will get closer to -1 by gametime, but regardless, I’m not seeing the Bengals as favorites. The Steelers have been pretty close to lights out with Russell Wilson, except for the blizzard bowl against an unstoppable Jameis Winston. The Bengals are in desperation mode and pretty much need to win out to have a shot at the playoffs. Unfortunately for them, the Steelers are likely out for blood after the loss to the Browns and they’ll hand Joey B a crisp L.

The Pick: Steelers +3

Philadelphia (9-2) at Baltimore (8-4) - Sunday 4:25 PM (CBS)

The View: The Ravens are coming off the win in the Harbowl and Lamar Jackson is cookin’. But this game isn’t about the quarterbacks. This is about the running backs. King Henry vs. Saquon! These two studs have reminded everyone of how good they are…and how ridiculous their careers could have been if they played on good teams. Saquon has a 67 yard edge over Henry for the rushing title. Philly has been rock solid on this 7-game winning streak, I’m riding the hot hand.

The Pick: Eagles +3

San Francisco (5-6) at Buffalo (9-2) - Sunday 8:20 PM (NBC)

The View: Early reports out of practice are saying that Brock Purdy’s shoulder is looking good. If that’s the case, a healthy Purdy, Kittle, CMC, and Deebo should make the Niners competitive on the offensive side of the ball. Unfortunately, they are still banged up on defense. I said last week that the Niners need an opportunity for a get right game…they get stomped by the Packers and with Josh Allen and OC Joe Brady having hit a rhythm, not to mention the Bills are undefeated at home, Buffalo covers.

The Pick: Bills -7

NFL Gambling Record:

D-Man: 6-7

Jean Machine: 36-18 (5-0 last week!)

Full NFL Schedule click here

NBA Top Games

Bucks 106, Heat 103: Damian Lillard scored 37 points and recorded 12 assists, leading the Bucks to a 106-103 victory. Despite a 22-point second-half lead slipping away, the Bucks held on to win, improving their record to 9-9 and staying perfect (3-0) in Cup play. Milwaukee played without Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was a late scratch due to knee swelling.

Rockets 117, Timberwolves 111: Alperen Sengun recorded a triple-double with 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists, leading the Rockets to a 117-111 overtime victory. Fred VanVleet added 27 points and 11 assists, while Dillon Brooks scored 22. A crucial moment came with 15 seconds left in regulation when Rudy Gobert blocked Sengun’s layup attempt, and Anthony Edwards’ jumper missed, sending the game into overtime.

Suns 127, Lakers 100: Led by the returns of Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, the Suns dominated the Lakers 127-100. Durant, who had missed the last seven games due to a calf injury, scored 23 points and grabbed six rebounds, while Beal added 23 points on 10-of-15 shooting.

NHL Top Games

Utah Hockey Club 3, Canadiens 2: Mikhail Sergachev scored the overtime winner to give the Utah Hockey Club a 3-2 victory. Sergachev's goal came with 27 seconds left in overtime, assisted by Nick Schmaltz. Utah outshot Montreal 29-13, with the Canadiens struggling offensively, recording just 30 shots in their last two games.

Canucks 2, Bruins 0: Jake DeBrusk scored a power-play goal in his return to Boston, and Kevin Lankinen posted a 32-save shutout as the Vancouver Canucks defeated the Bruins 2-0. DeBrusk, who played his first seven NHL seasons with Boston before joining the Canucks in the offseason, netted his goal 5:53 into the second period after poking in a rebound.

See full scoreboard here and standings here.

On this day in 1960, Gordie Howe becomes first NHLer to score 1,000 points. He would go on to score 1,850 points (4th all-time). There are now 99 players that have entered the 1,000-point club with Connor McDavid being the latest (on November 14th of this year).

Yesterday’s Trivia Time Answer

Which CB has the most selections to the Pro Bowl in their career?

B) Champ Bailey - Bailey has 12 Pro Bowl selections, just beating out Rod Woodson who was selected to 11. Baily played five years with the Washington Redskins before being traded to the Denver Broncos, along with a second-round draft pick for Clinton Portis. Good trade for Denver as he would make 8 Pro Bowls with Denver and become a Hall of Famer in 2019.