Jackson Free Press

Thursday, Dec. 25
NBA basketball, New Orleans at Orlando (11 a.m., Ch. 16) and Boston at L.A. Lakers (4 p.m., Ch. 16): It's Christmas, so the NBA wants you to start paying attention again.

Friday, Dec. 26
College football, Central Michigan vs. Florida Atlantic in the Motor City Bowl (6:30 p.m., ESPN): You know times are bad in Detroit when this is the best football game in town.

Saturday, Dec. 27
College football, North Carolina vs. West Virginia in the Meineke Car Care Bowl (noon, ESPN): The Tar Heels and Mountaineers could have done better if they hadn't slipped up late in the season. This still beats the heck out of that replay of the Olympic opening ceremony on Ch. 3.

Sunday, Dec. 28
NFL football, Carolina at New Orleans (noon, New Orleans, Ch. 40/620 AM): Can the Saints deny the Panthers the NFC South title and No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs?

Monday, Dec. 29
College football, Missouri vs. Northwestern in the Alamo Bowl (7 p.m., ESPN): When did Northwestern (9-3) get so good? What happened to Missouri (9-4)? (Insert you own "Remember the Alamo"-related quip here.)

Tuesday, Dec. 30
Men's college basketball, Ole Miss vs. Southern Miss (7 p.m., Biloxi, CSS/97.3 FM/1180AM/103.3 FM): If we could just get these two to get together in football, Doctor S would really be happy. This should be a lot of fun, if the Rebels can score. … San Diego at Mississippi State (8 p.m., Starkville, FSN South/105.9 FM): Don't go to sleep on the Toreros, they upset Connecticut in the first round of the NCAA Tournament last year.

Wednesday, Dec. 31
College football, LSU vs. Georgia Tech in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl (6:30 p.m., ESPN): The Yellow Jackets were walking hell this season while the Tigers stunk up the joint. Getting out of Tiger Stadium might actually help LSU.

The Slate is compiled by Doctor S, who resolves not to make light of a player's or coach's legal mishaps—until another one is arrested.