SI:AM Exclusive: Top Must-Watch Sports Events This Holiday Weekend!

Hello, this is Dan Gartland speaking. I will be taking a short break for the next few days. SI:AM will resume on Monday. Have a great holiday!

Highlights in today’s SI:AM: 

Exploring the CFP rankings
The excitement of a revived rivalry
A significant victory for Kansas

A Thrilling Weekend Ahead

Thanksgiving weekend is arguably the best time for sports enthusiasts. The lineup includes multiple NFL games broadcast nationwide, the climax of the college football season, and prominent college basketball games, in addition to ongoing NBA and NHL games. Although the NFL games on Thanksgiving might be less exciting this year (it might be wise to skip the backup quarterback showdown between the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants), there are plenty of other events worth watching this weekend. Here’s a detailed list of the most engaging games, organized by time and including broadcast details.

No. 4 South Carolina Gamecocks vs. No. 15 Iowa State Cyclones (women’s basketball, 1:30 p.m. ET Thursday on Fox)

South Carolina aims to recover against a strong Iowa State team following a recent end to their 43-game winning streak, which was halted by UCLA. This game is part of the Fort Myers Tip-Off event in Fort Myers, Fla.

The Cyclones, who advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament last season, present a tough challenge for South Carolina. They feature 6′ 3″ sophomore center Audi Crooks, known for her dominance in the paint. This could pose a problem for the Gamecocks, especially since they are adjusting to life without Kamilla Cardoso, who has moved to the WNBA. Although they managed to limit UCLA’s star Lauren Betts, the focus on Betts allowed other Bruins players to step up.

Crooks recently dominated against the Drake Bulldogs, scoring 33 points, but she’s not the only threat. Sophomore forward Addy Brown is contributing 16.2 points per game and ranks sixth in the Big 12 for rebounds, while fifth-year senior Emily Ryan leads the nation with an average of 9.0 assists per game.

This game kicks off a challenging three-week nonconference period for Iowa State, who will also face No. 22 Iowa and No. 2 UConn before starting their Big 12 campaign against Oklahoma State.

Winnipeg Jets at Vegas Golden Knights (8:30 p.m. ET Friday on ESPN+)

The NHL is aiming to make Black Friday a major event, similar to the NFL’s Thanksgiving tradition. This year, 28 of the league’s 32 teams will play the day after Thanksgiving, featuring a clash between two top teams from the Western Conference.

The Jets had a remarkable start to the season, securing 15 victories in their first 16 games, though they’ve slowed recently with a 3–3 record in their last six. Meanwhile, the Golden Knights have strung together three consecutive wins and are currently third in the West. This matchup could see a lot of goals, as it features the league’s top two scoring teams, and with the Golden Knights’ defense ranking 20th in goals allowed, it promises to be an exciting game.

Oklahoma City Thunder at Los Angeles Lakers (10 p.m. ET Friday on ESPN)

This matchup might seem like a clash between past and future NBA icons, but both teams are very much in the present. The Lakers, led by the league’s oldest active player, LeBron James, and coached by newcomer JJ Redick, have started the season strongly at 10–7, following a disappointing playoff exit last season.

The Thunder looked like championship contenders early in the season, winning eight of their first nine games. However, they’ve faced challenges recently, particularly after star center Chet Holmgren suffered a hip injury. Despite his absence, the team has managed a 5–3 record, relying on the scoring prowess of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams. The recent return of Isaiah Hartenstein, who missed the first 15 games due to injury, should also bolster the team.

Big 12 football chaos (Friday and Saturday, check your local listings)

Unlike other college football conferences, the Big 12’s championship contenders are far from decided. Teams like Arizona State, BYU, Colorado, and Iowa State are all tied at the top with 6–2 records. If all four win this weekend and remain tied, the title spots would go to Arizona State and Iowa State. However, five other teams with 5–3 records could still create a scenario where eight teams end up tied for first at 6–3. According to CBS Sports, there are over 250 possible combinations for the conference title game participants, setting the stage for a potentially chaotic final day of the regular season.

No. 3 Texas Longhorns at No. 20 Texas A&M Aggies (7:30 p.m. ET Saturday on ABC)

In the SEC, the championship picture is clearer, with Georgia already securing a spot. The remaining slot will be decided between Texas and Texas A&M in their first meeting since 2011. The stakes are high, as the winner secures a conference title game spot.

Despite a recent loss to Auburn in quadruple overtime, Texas still has a chance for the College Football Playoff, but Texas A&M’s path depends entirely on a victory against Texas and likely a win against Georgia as well. The pressure is on, especially for A&M, to rebound in this high-stakes rivalry game.

Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings (1 p.m. ET Sunday on Fox)

The Cardinals’ recent 16–6 defeat to the Seahawks has pushed them out of the NFC West lead, and they face a critical game against the 9–2 Vikings. For Minnesota, a victory is crucial to keep up with the NFC North-leading Detroit Lions.

Baltimore Ravens at Philadelphia Eagles (4:25 p.m. ET Sunday on CBS)

This game features two of the most consistent teams in their conferences, with Philadelphia on a seven-game winning streak and Baltimore winning 10 of its last 12. While it might be premature to call this a Super Bowl preview, both teams are demonstrating they are serious contenders.

The main attraction, however, is Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, who not only leads the league in rushing but also brings an exciting flair to his plays. His recent performances include two long touchdown runs against the Rams, making him a must-watch every time he’s on the field.

Boston Celtics at Cleveland Cavaliers (6 p.m. ET Sunday on NBA TV)

The Cavs seek to avenge their recent loss to the Celtics, which ended their 15-game winning streak. With both teams holding the best records in the NBA, this matchup could very well hint at what’s to come in the playoffs.

In their last meeting, the Celtics managed to build and maintain a lead, despite a strong comeback by the Cavs in the third quarter. With the return of Kristaps Porziņģis from injury, the Celtics are poised to be even stronger, setting the stage for another intense battle.