The Lineup: Friday, August 30

Author:
Mike Bebernes
Publish date:
Aug 30, 2013

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

FunnyEverything is better in Italian. Send any suggestions to SI.TheLineup@gmail.com. (Bold indicates a national broadcast. All times Eastern.)

Pregame Reads

Alan Schwarz has been on top of the NFL concussions thing from the very beginning. His piece on the settlement is essential.
Adam K. Raymond shares a collcetion of suspensions that are somehow dumber than Johnny Manziel's for Esquire.
Carles of Grantland chronicles the rise of workout trends like CrossFit and Tough Mudder.

Starter

Sport North Dakota State vs. Kansas State, 8:30p.m. (Fox Sports 1)

We're in that period of the year where the power programs play the moistest of cupcakes. If you insist upon watching football tonight, at least do so in a way to benefit the ratings of your new college football provider so they'll still be around when there's a good game to share. (Oops, it appears I've upset the football gods. GIF via Deadspin).

Reserves

MLB

Phillies vs. Cubs, 2:20p.m.

Orioles vs. Yankees, 7:05p.m.

Mets vs. Nationals, 7:05p.m.

Cardinals vs. Pirates, 7:05p.m.

Royals vs. Blue Jays, 7:07p.m.

Indians vs. Tigers, 7:08p.m.

White Sox vs. Red Sox, 7:10p.m.

Marlins vs. Braves, 7:30p.m.

Twins vs. Rangers, 8:05p.m.

Angels vs. Brewers, 8:10p.m.

Mariners vs. Astros, 8:10p.m.

Reds vs. Rockies, 8:40p.m.

Giants vs. Diamondbacks, 9:40p.m.

Rays vs. Athletics, 10:05p.m.

Padres vs. Dodgers, 10:10p.m.

College Football

Morgan State vs. Army, 7:00p.m. (CBS Sports Network)

Samford vs. Georgia State, 7:00p.m. (ESPN3)

Western Michigan vs. Michigan State, 8:00p.m. (Big Ten Network)

Florida Atlantic vs. Miami (FL), 8:00p.m. (ESPNU)

Tonight offers a chance to see Miami Heisman hopeful Duke Johnson, who says he added 8 pounds of muscle in the offseason, rack up some of the absurd number of yards that will be part of his argument for the trophy come season's end.

Texas Tech vs. Southern Methodist, 8:00p.m. (ESPN)

Southern University vs. Houston, 8:30p.m. (ESPN3)

Northern Arizona vs. Arizona, 10:00p.m. (Pac 12 Network)

GOLF

Hotel Fitness Championship, 12:30p.m. (Golf)

Deutsche Bank Championship, 2:30p.m. (NBC Sports & NBC Sports Live Extra)

LPGA: Safeway Classic, 6:30p.m. (GOLF)

WNBA

Indiana Fever vs. New York Liberty, 7:30p.m. (NBA TV)

San Antonio Silver Stars vs. Tulsa Shock, 8:00p.m.

Tennis

U.S. Open: Early Round Play, 1:00p.m. & 7:00p.m. (ESPN2 & ESPN3)

Soccer

MLS: Toronto FC vs. New England Revolution, 7:00p.m.

Monarcas de Morelia vs. Tuzos del Pachuca, 8:25p.m. (ESPN Deportes)

NCAA Men's: NJIT vs. St. Johns, 8:00p.m. (ESPN3)

MLS: Real Salt Lake vs. Portland Timbers, 10:00p.m. (NBC Sports)

All of the hype last week was, deservedly, about the Timbers' matchup with the Seattle Sounders, but the most entertaining contest was Portland's 3-3 draw with Real Salt Lake, which they look to avenge tonight. Can you avenge a draw? (Watch the video about half-way down the post).

Canadian Football

Hamilton Tiger-Cats vs. British Columbia Lions, 10:00p.m. (ESPN3)

Basketball

FIBA Americas Championship:Argentina vs. Paraguay, 1:50p.m. (ESPN3)

FIBA Americas Championship: Puerto Rico vs. Brazil, 5:20p.m. (ESPN3 & ESPN Deportes)

FIBA Americas Championship: Venezuela vs. Mexico, 7:50p.m. (ESPN3)

Bull Riding

WinStar World Casino Invitational, 10:30p.m. (CBS SportS)

Racing

Sprint Cup Qualifying at Atlanta Speedway, 7:00p.m. (Fox Sports 1)

Auctions America, 8:00p.m. (NBC Sports)

Deep bench

Hillbilly Handfishin', 7:00p.m. (Animal Planet)

Animal Planet programmers reached deep into the dark, unseen muck of their archives and pulled out this writhing, stinking mass of a former show. Finger on the pulse of America? Possibly.