Happy Thanksgiving to all the sports enthusiasts out there! I’m Carter Bahns, and on this festive morning, we’re gearing up for an exciting array of NFL showdowns and vibrant college basketball action. What could be better than enjoying a delicious holiday meal while watching elite teams clash on the field? Personally, I can’t wait to catch the Chiefs-Cowboys game on CBS.
If you’re spending the day surrounded by family, don’t fret; we’ve crafted a handy cheat sheet for the trio of NFL games lined up today. JP Acosta even prepared a helpful script for navigating football conversations with your relatives.
Before we jump into the festivities, there’s a brief programming note: today’s newsletter spans both Thanksgiving and Black Friday. We’ll return Saturday morning with a recap and a look ahead to the weekend, so keep your inbox ready!
⚾ Essential Sports Updates This Thanksgiving
- Dylan Cease is on the verge of a record deal with the Blue Jays. As the hot stove season heats up, Toronto is making headlines with a reported seven-year, $210 million contract for the right-handed pitcher. This monumental signing stands as the largest in the franchise’s history by an impressive $60 million. Though Cease didn’t shine in his last season with the Padres, he remains a sought-after talent that will significantly strengthen the Blue Jays’ rotation, especially after their near World Series triumph this past fall.
- Michigan clinches the Players Era Men’s Championship title. The No. 7 ranked Wolverines decisively defeated No. 12 Gonzaga, finishing with a convincing 101-61 in the finals. This victory not only crowns them champions but also nets Michigan an additional $1 million, stacking onto the initial million awarded for participation. Kansas also secured victory over No. 17 Tennessee, winning 81-76 in the tournament’s third-place match.
- Arsenal triumphs over Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League. Following a 3-1 victory against Bayern, Arsenal is now crowned the only remaining perfect team in the Champions League. This win, which ended Bayern’s unbeaten streak, positions the Gunners as a top contender for international accolades. Contrarily, Liverpool faced a disappointing setback, suffering a significant 4-1 defeat at home to PSV, extending their streak of poor performance to five losses in seven games.
- Rivalry week in college football kicks off with Friday showdowns. With three top-25 matchups lined up for Black Friday, the college football scene is poised for drama. No. 4 Georgia is heavily favored against No. 23 Georgia Tech, while No. 3 Texas A&M looks to complete a flawless regular season against No. 16 Texas. Additionally, No. 20 Arizona State hosts No. 25 Arizona, and all eyes will be on Lane Kiffin’s future as No. 7 Ole Miss faces Mississippi State.
- Coaching changes continue in college football. Colorado State moves forward with plans for the revamped Pac-12 as Jim Mora Jr. transitions from UConn after a successful rebuilding phase. Similarly, Southern University reportedly aims to hire NFL legend Marshall Faulk, currently a running backs coach under Deion Sanders at Colorado.
🏀 Key Highlights: NBA Cup’s Final Group Play
As the group play of the NBA Cup nears its end, the playoff picture becomes more critical. Featuring 11 games on Friday alone, including showcase matchups like the Bucks facing the Knicks and the Mavericks clashing with the Lakers, every contest is vital.
In light of recent complaints from superstar Luka Dončić about the safety of the playing surfaces, the integrity of the tournament facilities is under scrutiny. Despite these concerns, several teams have already secured their spots in the knockout stage:
- Raptors (East Group A champions)
- Lakers (West Group B champions)
Here’s what’s at stake on Friday:
- East B: The Magic face the Pistons, with the winner securing a spot in the playoffs.
- East C: The Knicks clinch by winning, while the Heat can advance with a win coupled with a Knicks loss.
- West A: The Suns take on the Thunder, where the victor moves on.
- West C: The Spurs meet the Nuggets, with similar playoff implications.
🏈 Thanksgiving and Black Friday NFL Games Preview
Thanksgiving isn’t just about food; it’s synonymous with football. For the third consecutive year, Black Friday also offers exciting matchups. It all kicks off at 1 p.m. with the Lions hosting the Packers, marking the first time in 43 years that the early Thanksgiving game starts at this time—appreciated by West Coast fans for an extra moment of rest!
Here’s the schedule for the four-game lineup, along with insights and predictions:
👍👎 Highlights from Other Sports
📺 Upcoming Viewing Guide for Thursday and Friday
Thursday
🏀 Battle 4 Atlantis: No. 24 Vanderbilt vs. VCU (M), Noon on ESPN
🏈 Packers at Lions, 1 p.m. on Fox
🏀 Rady Children’s Invitational: No. 10 Florida vs. TCU (M), 3 p.m. on FS1
🏈 Chiefs at Cowboys, 4:30 p.m. on CBS/Paramount+
🏀 Fort Myers Tip-Off: No. 16 North Carolina vs. No. 11 Michigan State (M), 4:30 p.m. on Fox
🏀 ESPN Events Invitational: No. 9 BYU vs. Miami (M), 5 p.m. on ESPN
🏈 Navy at Memphis, 7:30 p.m. on ESPN
🏀 CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic: No. 4 Duke vs. No. 22 Arkansas (M), 8 p.m. on CBS/Paramount+
🏈 Bengals at Ravens, 8:20 p.m. on NBC
🏀 CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic: Northwestern vs. Oklahoma State (M), 10:30 p.m. on Big Ten Network
Friday
⛳ The Skins Game, 9 a.m. on Prime Video
🏈 No. 7 Ole Miss at Mississippi State, 12 p.m. on ABC
🏈 Iowa at Nebraska, 12 p.m. on CBS/Paramount+
🏈 No. 13 Utah at Kansas, 12 p.m. on ESPN
🏀 Eastern Illinois at No. 1 Purdue (M), 12 p.m. on Big Ten Network
🏀 No. 13 Illinois vs. No. 5 UConn (M), 12:30 p.m. on Fox
🏒 Rangers at Bruins, 1 p.m. on TNT
🏀 Battle 4 Atlantis championship, 1 p.m. on ESPN2
🏈 Bears at Eagles, 3 p.m. on Prime Video
🏀 ESPN Events Invitational championship, 3 p.m. on ESPN2
🏈 No. 4 Georgia at No. 23 Georgia Tech, 3:30 p.m. on ABC
🏈 Boise State at Utah State, 4 p.m. on CBS/Paramount+
🏀 Rady Children’s Invitational championship, 5:30 p.m. on Fox
🏀 Acrisure Holiday Classic championship, 4:30 p.m. on truTV
🏒 Penguins at Blue Jackets, 7 p.m. on NHL Network
⚽ Women’s international friendly: United States vs. Italy, 7 p.m. on TNT
🏀 NBA Cup group play: Bucks at Knicks, 7:30 p.m. on Prime Video
🏈 No. 3 Texas A&M at No. 16 Texas, 7:30 p.m. on ABC
🏈 No. 2 Indiana at Purdue, 7:30 p.m. on NBC
🏈 No. 25 Arizona at No. 20 Arizona State, 9 p.m. on Fox
🏀 NBA Cup group play: Mavericks at Lakers, 10 p.m. on Prime Video
