Jackson Free Press

Thursday, Jan. 1
College football, New Year's Day offers a massive buffet of tasty bowl matchups. Here are three of the best: South Carolina vs. Iowa in the Outback Bowl (10 a.m., ESPN); Georgia vs. Michigan State in the Capital One Bowl (noon, Ch. 16); and Southern California vs. Penn State in the Rose Bowl (3:30 p.m., Ch. 16).

Friday, Jan. 2
College football, Ole Miss vs. Texas Tech in the Cotton Bowl (1 p.m., Dallas, Ch. 40/97.3 FM): Can the Rebels stop the Red Raiders? Can the Red Raiders block or stop the Rebels? … Alabama vs. Utah in the Sugar Bowl (7 p.m., New Orleans, Ch. 40): The Crimson Tide rolls into the Superdome to face the Utes. What's a Ute?

Saturday, Jan. 3
NFL football, NFL playoffs, Atlanta at Arizona (3:30 p.m., Ch. 3): The Falcons and Cardinals have been very different birds this season. … Indianapolis at San Diego (7 p.m., Ch. 3): The clock is about to hit midnight for the Chargers. … Men's college basketball, Houston at Mississippi State (7 p.m., Starkville, CSS/105.9 FM): The Bulldogs face a big challenge against the Cougars, C-USA's hottest team. … Jackson State at Alabama State (7:30 p.m., Montgomery, Ala., 1300 AM): The Tigers open SWAC play against the Hornets.

Sunday, Jan. 4
NFL football, NFL playoffs, Baltimore at Miami (noon, Ch. 12): The dictionary entry for "upstart" now has a picture of a dolphin next to it. … Philadelphia at Minnesota (3:30 p.m., Ch. 40): Can the Vikings cool off the red-hot Iggles?

Monday, Jan. 5
Men's college basketball, Belhaven at Mississippi State (7 p.m., Clinton): The Presbyterians battle the Baptists for hardwood supremacy. … Western Kentucky at Mississippi State (7 p.m., Starkville, CSS/105.9 FM): The Bulldogs entertain the Hilltoppers in their final game before beginning SEC play. … College football, Texas vs. Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl (7 p.m., Ch. 40): A trip to Arizona isn't a bad consolation prize for these two also-rans.

Tuesday, Jan. 6
College football, Tulsa vs. Ball State (7 p.m., Mobile, Ala., ESPN): Look for plenty of points when these two face off in the city by the bay.

Wednesday, Jan. 7
Men's college basketball, Tulsa at Southern Miss (7 p.m., Hattiesburg, 1180 AM/103.3 FM): The Golden Hurricane and the Golden Eagles meet in the C-USA opener for both. This is when Larry turns up the volume.

The Slate is compiled by Doctor S, who has resolved not to make any stupid resolutions for 2009.