Thursday, Sept. 21
College football, Hinds CC at Mississippi Gulf Coast CC (7 p.m., Perkinston): The loser of this game probably won't be going to the playoffs.
Friday, Sept. 22
High school football, Oak Grove at Wingfield (7 p.m.): The unbeaten Falcons, who have their best team in decades, play host to Oak Grove at Forest Hill. … Clinton at Madison Central (7:30 p.m., Madison, 620 AM): Out in the 'burbs, a pair of bitter rivals hook up. … Jackson Academy at Jackson Prep (7 p.m., Flowood, 930 AM/1240 AM): This is a preview of the MPSA Class AAA state championship game.
Saturday, Sept. 23
College football, Mississippi Valley State at Jackson State (4 p.m., 1400 AM): Is this the year Valley breaks through and wins? … Georgetown (Ky.) at Belhaven (1:30 p.m., 930 AM): Perennial power Georgetown calls on the 0-3 Blazers at stately Newell Field.
Sunday, Sept. 24
Pro football, New York Giants at Seattle (3:15 p.m., Ch. 40): Big Apple hero Eli and the Giants head Northwest to play the defending NFC champs.
Monday, Sept. 25
Pro football, Atlanta at New Orleans (7:30 p.m., ESPN/620 AM): The Saints play their first regular-season home game in the Big Easy since 2004. Unfortunately, they're still playing in the Superdome.
Tuesday, Sept. 26
College football, Southern Miss at Central Florida (6:30 p.m., Orlando, Fla., ESPN2/1180 AM/103.3 FM): The Golden Eagles and the Golden Knights play in what could be the C-USA championship game.
The Slate is compiled by Doctor S, whose predictions of a gloomy football fall have come true.