Thanksgiving weekend is synonymous with turkey, Black Friday, and great sports action.
With plenty of professional and college sporting events taking place from Nov. 24-27, here are some of the marquee games taking place during this year’s holiday season:
Thursday, November 24
NFL – Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions
Time: 12:30 p.m. ET
Network: FOX
A battle for NFC North supremacy, the dull Thanksgiving games of the past for the Lions are no more. In a battle between two of the best teams in the NFL, this early-morning Thanksgiving day battle should feature plenty of scoring and big plays.
NFL – Miami Dolphins at Dallas Cowboys
Time: 4:15 p.m. ET
Network: CBS
The midday game on Thanksgiving, the Cowboys will host the annual Thursday game against the Dolphins. With the Cowboys still battling for position in the competitive NFC East, this contest should be an easy win for Dallas.
NCAA Football – Texas at Texas A&M
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Network: ESPN & ESPN3
The lone college football game today, Texas and Texas A&M meet for their fourth-straight Thanksgiving day battle. Texas has won two of the last three games against Texas A&M.
NFL – San Francisco 49ers at Baltimore Ravens
Time: 8:20 p.m. ET
Network: NFL Network
In the first NFL game featuring head coach brothers facing off against one another, the Jim Harbaugh-led 49ers will face the John Harbaugh-led Ravens in Baltimore.
Friday, November 25
NHL – Detroit Red Wings at Boston Bruins
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Network: NBC
Featuring two of the most-recognizable NHL franchises today, the Red Wings and Bruins will play in one of 13 games happening on the day after Thanksgiving.
NCAA Football – Arkansas at LSU
Time: 2:30 p.m. ET
Network: CBS
In a game featuring two top SEC teams, Tyler Wilson and the Razorbacks look to knock off the elite LSU Tigers.
NCAA Basketball – NIT Season Tip-Off (Championship): Teams TBD (in New York City)
Time: 5 p.m. ET
Network: ESPN, ESPN2, or ESPNU
The premier preseason tournament features 16 teams, including Syracuse, Oklahoma State, Stanford and Virginia Tech.
NCAA Basketball – Las Vegas Invitational: South Carolina vs. North Carolina (in Las Vegas)
Time: 10 p.m. ET
Network: ESPN2
In a battle between the Carolina states, tune in for this late-night invitational game for an early look at a Tar Heels team with championship aspirations.
Saturday, November 26
NCAA Football – Notre Dame at Stanford
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Network: ABC, ESPN, or ESPN2
In a battle often capturing the eyes of national audiences, Cardinal QB Andrew Luck looks to pad his Heisman resume with a win over the Fighting Irish.
Sunday, November 27
NFL – New England Patriots at Philadelphia Eagles
Time: 4:15 p.m. ET
Network: CBS
In the best Sunday matchup in Week 12, the Patriots’ offense, featuring Tom Brady and Wes Welker, will play against the Eagles’ offense, featuring Michael Vick, LeSean McCoy and DeSean Jackson.
NCAA Basketball – Old Spice Classic (Championship): Teams TBD (in Orlando)
Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
Network: ESPN2
This college basketball tournament is located at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and features eight teams, including Texas Tech, Minnesota, and Wake Forest.
NCAA Basketball – 76 Classic (Championship): Teams TBD (in Anaheim)
Time: 9 p.m. ET
Network ESPN2
This college basketball tournament is located at the Anaheim (California) Convention Center located adjacent to Disneyland and features eight teams, including Boston College, Villanova and Oklahoma.
Sources:
Thanksgiving 2011, NFL.com
Texas A&M Aggies, Sports-Reference.com/cfb
2011 NIT Season Tip-Off bracket, NCAA.com
2011 Old Spice Classic Bracket, oldspiceclassic.com
2011 Matchups Announced, 76classic.com
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