November 26, 2014 at 4:02 p.m.
Holiday is more than food, family
Holiday is more than food, family
Get ready for the feast.
Thanksgiving is about a lot of things.
It’s about family and friends. It’s about food and drink. It’s about taking the time to appreciate the things that make our lives special.
It’s also about gathering to watch our favorite teams play.
For sports fans, the games are side dishes just as important as any dressing, mashed potatoes or cranberry sauce.
Over the years, this long-running Thanksgiving feature has had a variety of different formats.
We’ve listed every televised game. We’ve listed one from each day from each sport. We’ve offered a 24/7 guide to viewing.
This time around, it’ll be more focused. One game from each day.
One might think that would start with tonight, as we generally start with a Wednesday-night TV game. A kind of appetizer to the smorgasbord of games that are on the way, it’s typically been a basketball game from the NBA or an early-season college tournament.
But if you’re a Jay County resident and you’re sitting at home tonight, reading the newspaper or scrolling through your on-screen guide looking for a sporting event to watch, I have to ask a question: What exactly are you thinking?
The Patriots open their season tonight.
They play on the day before Thanksgiving for the first time in more than a decade. So put down the newspaper (just be sure to pick it up again later) or the remote, drag yourself off the couch and hustle to Jay County High School.
Sure, sports on TV are fine. But live action is so much better.
What better way to kick off the weekend than by rooting the Patriots on to victory?
Besides, there will be plenty of big games to watch during the rest of the extended weekend.
Thanksgiving Day
FOX – 4:30 p.m.
NFL football
Philadelphia Eagles
at Dallas Cowboys
For much of this season, the Dallas Cowboys looked like the best team in the NFL. On Sunday, they almost lost to the struggling New York Giants.
Almost.
Thanks to some incredible play from his offensive line, Tony Romo was able to lead Dallas on a last-minute drive and find Dez Bryant for the game-winning touchdown. (That pass helped the Cowboys overcome an Odell Beckham touchdown that will appear on every highlight reel for years to come.
That result set up this game, with control of the NFC North on the line.
Dallas has made its way to 8-3 based largely on its running game, which ranks second in the league at 150 yards per game. It has also helped that Tony Romo has tossed just six interceptions compared to 22 touchdowns.
Meanwhile, Philadelphia, which is also 8-4, is riding the league’s No. 4 passing attack at 293 yards per game.
It has continued to be effective despite the loss of Nick Foles to a season-ending injury. Mark Sanchez, who was the prototypical “game manager” while with the New York Jets, has thrown for 332, 346 and 307 yards in his three starts for the Eagles.
Those numbers may not last, but in the fast-paced Chip Kelly offense, anything can happen.
The NFL has not done the Cowboys any favors, forcing them to play on the road Sunday night before flying back to Dallas for its traditional Thanksgiving Day game. (This should never happen to any team playing on Thursday. In fact, the NFL should try to make sure all Thursday games involve teams that were on a bye the previous week.)
This is not all-or-nothing, because win or lose, both teams will still be in prime playoff position. And they meet each other again in two weeks on Sunday Night Football.
But the winner will be in prime position for the division title and a first-round bye, while the loser may end up having to fight for a wild card spot.
Friday
ESPN – TBA
Men’s College
Basketball
Battle 4 Atlantis
Featuring the
Butler Bulldogs
It’s hard to keep track of all of the early-season college basketball tournaments.
There used to be just the Maui Invitational and the Great Alaska Shootout. Now, it seems as if they are never ending.
But the Battle 4 Atlantis, which is being played in the Bahamas, is the premier tournament this year.
It includes three of the top eight teams — No. 3 Wisconsin, No. 6 North Carolina and No. 8 Florida — in the nation, as well as No. 18 Oklahoma, the Big East’s Georgetown and the Pac 10’s UCLA. Butler and UAB fill out the field.
Although it has slipped in the last couple of years, the Bulldogs have a better NCAA tournament resume than any other team in Indiana over the course of the last decade. They have been to the tournament six times, advancing to the national championship game in 2010 and 2011. After missing the field of 68 in 2012, the Bulldogs returned last season and defeated Bucknell in the first round before falling 74-72 to Marquette.
Butler, which is in its second year in the Atlantic 10, has cruised to a 3-0 start with blowout victories over Maine (99-57), Chattanooga (70-48) and Loyola (80-39).
A player who may be a familiar face for some Jay County fans is leading the way for the Bulldogs. Kellen Dunham, a Pendleton Heights graduate, played for JCHS coach Craig Teagle as an Indiana All-Star in 2012.
The junior is leading a group of four Butler players who are scoring in double figures as he averages 19 points per game. He’s made 10 of his 15 3-point attempts and is shooting 58 percent of the field.
Joining Dunham in double figures are Kelan Martin (11.7), Roosevelt Jones (10.7) and Andrew Chrabascz (10.0).
The Bulldogs opened the Battle 4 Atlantis against North Carolina at noon today. It’s second game will be against either UCLA or Oklahoma, and one of the other four teams awaits Friday.
Given the quality of the field, it doesn’t really matter who they play. This will be their chance to find out where they stand against the nation’s best.
Saturday
College football
No. 18 Mississippi vs.
No. 4 Mississippi State
CBS – 3:30 p.m.
and
No. 1 Alabama vs.
No. 14 Auburn
ESPN – 7:45 p.m.
There was a time when it seemed the game between the Rebels and the Bulldogs would be, without question, the biggest on rivalry weekend. Both Mississippi State and Mississippi won their first seven games and were ranked No. 1 and 3 respectively, leading to the possibility that their fight would be over much more than just a golden egg.
But Mississippi has dropped three of its last four, and Alabama has soared all the way to the top of the rankings. So it’ll be these two Southeastern Conference games that have a massive impact on the makeup of the first college football championship tournament.
At this point of the year, the game is a must-win for both Alabama (9-1) and Mississippi State (9-1). Either might still be able to make it into the four-team playoff with a second loss, but it seems unlikely with one-loss squads TCU, Ohio State and Baylor looming.
And before the national championship tournament even comes around, both squads must worry about the SEC championship. Alabama will head to Atlanta if it wins, but if it falls to Auburn, the door is open for Mississippi State.
The Bulldogs, whose lone loss came 25-20 to Alabama, has been a balanced squad, ranking 12th in the nation in points scored and 11th in points against. It has a dominant rushing attack at 247 yards per game led by Josh Robinson (1,084 yards) and quarterback Dak Prescott (891 yards). Prescott has also tossed for 2,714 yards and 23 touchdowns.
Alabama, which won three consecutive national titles from 2009 through 2012, bounced back from its 23-17 loss Oct. 4 to Mississippi with six straight victories. The Crimson Tide is all about defense, as its 14.5 points allowed are second only to Mississippi’s 13.5.
Both Mississippi State and Alabama are seeking their fourth win over a nationally-ranked foe.
Mississippi State has won three of its last four against Mississippi. Alabama fell 34-28 to Auburn last year.
Sunday
CBS – 4:25 p.m.
NFL football
New England Patriots
vs. Green Bay Packers
What could be better to finish off the extended Thanksgiving weekend than a battle between the NFL’s two hottest teams.
Four weeks into the season, the topic of Tom Brady’s decline was being discussed. Some were wondering whether he was done. The Patriots had barely beaten Oakland on Sept. 21 and then suffered a humiliating 41-14 loss to Kansas City on Monday Night Football a week later.
Since then, all New England has done is win seven straight games, including four blowout wins in a row over Chicago, Denver, Indianapolis and Detroit.
As for Green Bay, well, its fans were freaking out after three weeks with the team sitting at 1-2. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers famously told those Cheeseheads to “relax.”
As it turns out, that advice was good.
The Packers have won seven of their last eight games, including three in a row. That run included consecutive 50-point games against Chicago and Philadelphia.
So, if anyone was predicting which two teams are headed to the Super Bowl, these two would be the obvious choices.
If the teams back make it to Phoenix in February, they will be playing for the Lombardi Trophy. But when they meet Sunday afternoon, the game will be far more important to the Packers than it is to New England.
Green Bay has taken over first place in the NFC North, but is just one game ahead of the Detroit Lions. Meanwhile the Patriots lead the AFC and have a three-game division lead over Miami.
Even so, the atmosphere Sunday should be great.
And, although the game is still days away, the extended forecast calls for a high of 27 and afternoon snow.
Packers against Patriots on the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field?
Yes please.
Thanksgiving is about a lot of things.
It’s about family and friends. It’s about food and drink. It’s about taking the time to appreciate the things that make our lives special.
It’s also about gathering to watch our favorite teams play.
For sports fans, the games are side dishes just as important as any dressing, mashed potatoes or cranberry sauce.
Over the years, this long-running Thanksgiving feature has had a variety of different formats.
We’ve listed every televised game. We’ve listed one from each day from each sport. We’ve offered a 24/7 guide to viewing.
This time around, it’ll be more focused. One game from each day.
One might think that would start with tonight, as we generally start with a Wednesday-night TV game. A kind of appetizer to the smorgasbord of games that are on the way, it’s typically been a basketball game from the NBA or an early-season college tournament.
But if you’re a Jay County resident and you’re sitting at home tonight, reading the newspaper or scrolling through your on-screen guide looking for a sporting event to watch, I have to ask a question: What exactly are you thinking?
The Patriots open their season tonight.
They play on the day before Thanksgiving for the first time in more than a decade. So put down the newspaper (just be sure to pick it up again later) or the remote, drag yourself off the couch and hustle to Jay County High School.
Sure, sports on TV are fine. But live action is so much better.
What better way to kick off the weekend than by rooting the Patriots on to victory?
Besides, there will be plenty of big games to watch during the rest of the extended weekend.
Thanksgiving Day
FOX – 4:30 p.m.
NFL football
Philadelphia Eagles
at Dallas Cowboys
For much of this season, the Dallas Cowboys looked like the best team in the NFL. On Sunday, they almost lost to the struggling New York Giants.
Almost.
Thanks to some incredible play from his offensive line, Tony Romo was able to lead Dallas on a last-minute drive and find Dez Bryant for the game-winning touchdown. (That pass helped the Cowboys overcome an Odell Beckham touchdown that will appear on every highlight reel for years to come.
That result set up this game, with control of the NFC North on the line.
Dallas has made its way to 8-3 based largely on its running game, which ranks second in the league at 150 yards per game. It has also helped that Tony Romo has tossed just six interceptions compared to 22 touchdowns.
Meanwhile, Philadelphia, which is also 8-4, is riding the league’s No. 4 passing attack at 293 yards per game.
It has continued to be effective despite the loss of Nick Foles to a season-ending injury. Mark Sanchez, who was the prototypical “game manager” while with the New York Jets, has thrown for 332, 346 and 307 yards in his three starts for the Eagles.
Those numbers may not last, but in the fast-paced Chip Kelly offense, anything can happen.
The NFL has not done the Cowboys any favors, forcing them to play on the road Sunday night before flying back to Dallas for its traditional Thanksgiving Day game. (This should never happen to any team playing on Thursday. In fact, the NFL should try to make sure all Thursday games involve teams that were on a bye the previous week.)
This is not all-or-nothing, because win or lose, both teams will still be in prime playoff position. And they meet each other again in two weeks on Sunday Night Football.
But the winner will be in prime position for the division title and a first-round bye, while the loser may end up having to fight for a wild card spot.
Friday
ESPN – TBA
Men’s College
Basketball
Battle 4 Atlantis
Featuring the
Butler Bulldogs
It’s hard to keep track of all of the early-season college basketball tournaments.
There used to be just the Maui Invitational and the Great Alaska Shootout. Now, it seems as if they are never ending.
But the Battle 4 Atlantis, which is being played in the Bahamas, is the premier tournament this year.
It includes three of the top eight teams — No. 3 Wisconsin, No. 6 North Carolina and No. 8 Florida — in the nation, as well as No. 18 Oklahoma, the Big East’s Georgetown and the Pac 10’s UCLA. Butler and UAB fill out the field.
Although it has slipped in the last couple of years, the Bulldogs have a better NCAA tournament resume than any other team in Indiana over the course of the last decade. They have been to the tournament six times, advancing to the national championship game in 2010 and 2011. After missing the field of 68 in 2012, the Bulldogs returned last season and defeated Bucknell in the first round before falling 74-72 to Marquette.
Butler, which is in its second year in the Atlantic 10, has cruised to a 3-0 start with blowout victories over Maine (99-57), Chattanooga (70-48) and Loyola (80-39).
A player who may be a familiar face for some Jay County fans is leading the way for the Bulldogs. Kellen Dunham, a Pendleton Heights graduate, played for JCHS coach Craig Teagle as an Indiana All-Star in 2012.
The junior is leading a group of four Butler players who are scoring in double figures as he averages 19 points per game. He’s made 10 of his 15 3-point attempts and is shooting 58 percent of the field.
Joining Dunham in double figures are Kelan Martin (11.7), Roosevelt Jones (10.7) and Andrew Chrabascz (10.0).
The Bulldogs opened the Battle 4 Atlantis against North Carolina at noon today. It’s second game will be against either UCLA or Oklahoma, and one of the other four teams awaits Friday.
Given the quality of the field, it doesn’t really matter who they play. This will be their chance to find out where they stand against the nation’s best.
Saturday
College football
No. 18 Mississippi vs.
No. 4 Mississippi State
CBS – 3:30 p.m.
and
No. 1 Alabama vs.
No. 14 Auburn
ESPN – 7:45 p.m.
There was a time when it seemed the game between the Rebels and the Bulldogs would be, without question, the biggest on rivalry weekend. Both Mississippi State and Mississippi won their first seven games and were ranked No. 1 and 3 respectively, leading to the possibility that their fight would be over much more than just a golden egg.
But Mississippi has dropped three of its last four, and Alabama has soared all the way to the top of the rankings. So it’ll be these two Southeastern Conference games that have a massive impact on the makeup of the first college football championship tournament.
At this point of the year, the game is a must-win for both Alabama (9-1) and Mississippi State (9-1). Either might still be able to make it into the four-team playoff with a second loss, but it seems unlikely with one-loss squads TCU, Ohio State and Baylor looming.
And before the national championship tournament even comes around, both squads must worry about the SEC championship. Alabama will head to Atlanta if it wins, but if it falls to Auburn, the door is open for Mississippi State.
The Bulldogs, whose lone loss came 25-20 to Alabama, has been a balanced squad, ranking 12th in the nation in points scored and 11th in points against. It has a dominant rushing attack at 247 yards per game led by Josh Robinson (1,084 yards) and quarterback Dak Prescott (891 yards). Prescott has also tossed for 2,714 yards and 23 touchdowns.
Alabama, which won three consecutive national titles from 2009 through 2012, bounced back from its 23-17 loss Oct. 4 to Mississippi with six straight victories. The Crimson Tide is all about defense, as its 14.5 points allowed are second only to Mississippi’s 13.5.
Both Mississippi State and Alabama are seeking their fourth win over a nationally-ranked foe.
Mississippi State has won three of its last four against Mississippi. Alabama fell 34-28 to Auburn last year.
Sunday
CBS – 4:25 p.m.
NFL football
New England Patriots
vs. Green Bay Packers
What could be better to finish off the extended Thanksgiving weekend than a battle between the NFL’s two hottest teams.
Four weeks into the season, the topic of Tom Brady’s decline was being discussed. Some were wondering whether he was done. The Patriots had barely beaten Oakland on Sept. 21 and then suffered a humiliating 41-14 loss to Kansas City on Monday Night Football a week later.
Since then, all New England has done is win seven straight games, including four blowout wins in a row over Chicago, Denver, Indianapolis and Detroit.
As for Green Bay, well, its fans were freaking out after three weeks with the team sitting at 1-2. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers famously told those Cheeseheads to “relax.”
As it turns out, that advice was good.
The Packers have won seven of their last eight games, including three in a row. That run included consecutive 50-point games against Chicago and Philadelphia.
So, if anyone was predicting which two teams are headed to the Super Bowl, these two would be the obvious choices.
If the teams back make it to Phoenix in February, they will be playing for the Lombardi Trophy. But when they meet Sunday afternoon, the game will be far more important to the Packers than it is to New England.
Green Bay has taken over first place in the NFC North, but is just one game ahead of the Detroit Lions. Meanwhile the Patriots lead the AFC and have a three-game division lead over Miami.
Even so, the atmosphere Sunday should be great.
And, although the game is still days away, the extended forecast calls for a high of 27 and afternoon snow.
Packers against Patriots on the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field?
Yes please.
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