Jackson Free Press

Thursday, Dec. 27
College football, Arizona State vs. Texas in Holiday Bowl (7 p.m., ESPN): Two of college's top "also-rans" meet in one of the best non-BCS bowls.

Friday, Dec. 28
Men's college basketball, Southern Miss vs. Ole Miss (7 p.m., Southaven, 1180 AM/103.3 FM/97.3 FM): The Golden Eagles and Rebels meet in a rare resumption of their longtime rivalry. Why can't this game be played in Jackson? Oh yeah, the Mississippi Coliseum is obsolete.

Saturday, Dec. 29
College football, Mississippi State vs. Central Florida in the Liberty Bowl (3:30 p.m., Memphis, Tenn., ESPN/105.9 FM): The never-say-die Bulldogs face the Golden Knights, champions of CUSA, in River City. If you go early enough, you can make it to Graceland and the Rendezvous.

Sunday, Dec. 30
Men's college basketball, Missouri at Mississippi State (12:30 p.m., Starkville, FSN South/105.9 FM): It's another installment in MSU's Murderer's Row pre-SEC schedule. The NCAA loves this kind of game. … Pro football, New Orleans at Chicago (noon, Ch. 40/620 AM): Here's hoping the Saints still have a shot at the playoffs when they get to the Windy City.

Monday, Dec. 31
College football, Auburn vs. Clemson in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl (6:30 p.m., ESPN): Aren't Auburn and Clemson really the same school? They're both cow-college Tigers, right?

Tuesday, Jan. 1
College football, Hawaii vs. Georgia in the Sugar Bowl (7:30 p.m., Ch. 40): The non-BCS Warriors take a shot at traditional-power Georgia. Will this get ugly?

Wednesday, Jan. 2
College football, West Virginia vs. Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl (7:30 p.m., Ch. 40): The Mountaineers are still smarting from blowing a chance to play in the national title game. The Sooners are still smarting from last year's bowl loss to Boise State.

The Slate is compiled by Doctor S, who plans to turn over a new leaf this year … and eat it.