The Lineup: Saturday-Sunday, August 31 & September 1
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There are fantasy sleepers, then there are the straight-up unconscious. Send any suggestions to SI.TheLineup@gmail.com. (Bold indicates a national broadcast. All times Eastern.)
Pregame Reads
- SI's Richard Deitsch provides a comprehensive guide on who, what, when, and where you should be getting your football analysis.
- Two takes on Tracy McGrady's retirment: One from a guy you've probably heard of, the other from someone you maybe haven't.
- On Splitsider, Matt Schimkowitz revisits the lowest of The Magic Hour's many low points: When Howard Stern came on the show and had his way with it.
Starter
Sport #5 Georgia vs. #8 Clemson, 8:00p.m. (ABC)
Both teams have high hopes this season. If Georgia survives the next two weekends (the Bulldogs face South Carolina next week), they'll be right at the top of the list of championship contenders. Clemson, on the other hand, doesn't exactly have the greatest history of meeting its fans' expectations, so much so they've brought a new word into the lexicon.
Top Prospect
National Women's Soccer League Championship: Portland Thorns vs. Western New York Flash, 8:00p.m. (Fox Sports 2 & Fox Soccer)
The inaugural title game for this fist-year league, and organizers couldn't have asked for anything better: The matchup features one of the greatest scorers in women's soccer history, Abby Wambach of the Flash, taking on the sport's biggest star, Alex Morgan. (Actually, the NWSL can hope for something better: To hang around for more than three years.)
Reserves
College Football (Blue denotes top-25 team(s))
Saturday
#12 LSU vs. #20 TCU, 9:00p.m. (ESPN)
The Tiger's scheduling M.O. these past few years has been as such: Open the season against highly touted non-conference opponent, usually a west coast team, then sit back and let the SEC feast on itself while playing the UAB's of the world outside of conference. It works. Gives them the benefit of the doubt throughout the season, and the benefit of the doubt goes a long way in college football.
Buffalo vs. #2 Ohio State, 12:00p.m. (ESPN2)
Massachusetts vs. #23 Wisconsin, 12:00p.m. (Big Ten Network)
Elon vs. Georgia Tech, 12:00p.m. (ESPN3)
Villanova vs. Boston College, 12:00p.m. (ESPN News)
William & Mary vs. West Virginia, 12:00p.m. (Fox Sports 1)
Southern Illinois vs. Illinois, 12:00p.m. (Big Ten Network)
Purdue vs. Cincinnati, 12:00p.m. (ESPNU)
Toledo vs. #10 Florida, 12:21 (ESPN3)
Florida International vs. Maryland, 12:30p.m. (ESPN3)
Louisiana Tech vs. North Carolina State, 12:30p.m. (ESPN3)
Rice vs. #7 Texas A&M, 1:00p.m. (ESPN)
Mississippi State vs. #13 Oklahoma State, 3:30p.m. (ABC or ESPN2 coverage map)
Temple vs. #14 Notre Dame, 3:30p.m. (NBC)
Central Michigan vs. #17 Michigan, 3:30p.m. (Big Ten Network)
Syracuse vs. Penn State, 3:30p.m. (ABC or ESPN2)
Brigham Young vs. Virginia, 3:30p.m. (ESPNU)
Northern Illinois vs. Iowa, 3:30p.m. (Big Ten Network)
Nicholls State vs. #3 Oregon, 4:00p.m. (Fox Sports 1)
Louisiana-Lafayette vs. Arkansas, 4:00p.m. (ESPN3)
NC Central vs. Duke, 4:00p.m. (ESPN3)
#1 Alabama vs. Virginia Tech, 5:30p.m. (ESPN)
Eastern Washington vs. #25 Oregon State, 6:00p.m. (Pac 12 Network)
Howard vs. Eastern Michigan, 6:00p.m. (ESPN3)
Austin Peay vs. Tennessee, 6:00p.m. (ESPN3)
Washington State vs. Auburn, 7:00p.m. (ESPNU)
Mcneese State vs. South Florida, 7:00p.m. (ESPN3)
Kentucky vs. Western Kentucky, 7:00p.m. (ESPN News)
Murray State vs. Missouri, 7:00p.m. (ESPN3)
Miami(OH) vs. Marshall, 7:00p.m. (CBS Sports Network)
Arkansas Pine Bluff vs. Arkansas State, 7:00p.m. (ESPN3)
UAB vs. Troy, 7:00p.m. (ESPN3)
Wyoming vs. #18 Nebraska, 8:00p.m. (Big Ten Network)
#19 Boise State vs. Washington, 10:00p.m. (Fox Sports 1)
Nevada vs. #21 UCLA, 10:00p.m. (Pac 12 Network)
#22 Northwestern vs. California, 10:30p.m.
Sunday
Mississippi Valley State vs. Florida A&M, 11:45a.m. (ESPN)
Ohio vs. #9 Louisville, 3:30p.m. (ESPN)
Colorado vs. Colorado State, 6:00p.m. (CBS Sports Network)
MLB (First time Saturday, second time Sunday)
Orioles vs. Yankees, 1:05p.m., 1:05p.m. (TBS)
Royals vs. Blue Jays, 1:07p.m., 1:07p.m.
Phillies vs. Cubs, 4:05p.m., 2:20p.m.
Mets vs. Nationals, 7:05p.m., 8:05p.m. (ESPN2)
Cardinals vs. Pirates, 7:05p.m., 1:35p.m.
Indians vs. Tigers, 7:08p.m., 1:08p.m.
Angels vs. Brewers, 7:10p.m., 2:10p.m.
White Sox vs. Red Sox, 7:10p.m., 1:35p.m.
Marlins vs. Braves, 7:10p.m., 5:00p.m.
Mariners vs. Astros, 7:10p.m., 2:10p.m.
Twins vs. Rangers, 8:05p.m., 3:05p.m.
Reds vs. Rockies, 8:10p.m., 4:10p.m.
Giants vs. Diamondbacks, 8:10p.m., 4:10p.m.
Rays vs. Athletics, 9:05p.m., 4:05p.m.
Padres vs. Dodgers, 9:10p.m., 4:10p.m.
GOLF
Hotel Fitness Championship: Third Round 12:30p.m. Saturday & 2:30p.m. Sunday (Golf)
Deutsche Bank Championship: Third Round, 2:30p.m.Saturday (Golf) Fourth Round, 3:00p.m. Sunday (NBC)
LPGA: Safeway Classic 6:30p.m. Saturday & 7:00p.m Sunday (Golf)
WNBA
Saturday
Atlanta Fever vs. Chicago Sky, 8:00p.m.
Seattle Storm vs. Minnesota Lynx, 8:00p.m.
L.A. Sparks vs. San Antonio Silver Stars, 8:00p.m.
Connecticut Sun vs. Phoenix Mercury, 10:00p.m. (NBA TV)
Sunday
New York Liberty vs. Tulsa Shock, 4:30p.m.
Tennis
U.S. Open: Early Round Play: 11:00a.m. Saturday & Sunday (CBS & CBS Sports Network)
MLS
Saturday
New York Red Bulls vs. D.C. United, 8:00p.m. (NBC Sports)
Not long ago, the Red Bulls had a virtual monopoly on New York soccer. They now share the city with the revived New York Cosmos, and in 2015 will have another MLS team to contend with, one that may well have fancy new digs.
Columbus Crew vs. Seattle Sounders, 7:30p.m.
Philadelphia Union vs. Montreal Impact, 7:30p.m.
Sporting K.C. vs. Colorado Rapids, 8:30p.m.
L.A. Galaxy vs. San Jose Earthquakes, 10:30p.m.
Sunday
Chicago Fire vs. Houston Dynamo, 3:00p.m.
Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Chivas USA, 7:00p.m.
English Premier League
Saturday
Manchester City vs. Hull City, 7:00a.m. (NBC Sports & NBC Sports Live Extra)
Newcastle vs. Fulham, 10:00a.m. (NBC Sports Live Extra)
West Ham United vs. Stoke City, 10:00a.m. (NBC Sports Live Extra)
Norwich City vs. Southampton, 10:00a.m. (NBC Sports Live Extra)
Cardiff City vs. Everton, 10:00a.m. (NBC Sports)
Crystal Palace vs. Sunderland, 12:30p.m. (NBC)
Sunday
Liverpool vs. Manchester United, 8:00a.m. (NBS Sports)
West Bromwich Albion vs. Swansea City, 8:30a.m. (NBC Sports Live Extra)
Arsenal vs. Tottenham Hotspur, 11:00a.m. (NBC Sports)
Soccer
Saturday
Brazil League: Gremio vs. Ponte Preta, 5:25p.m. (ESPN3)
Dutch League: PSV vs. Cambuur, 2:40p.m. (ESPN3)
Sunday
Brazil League: Gremio vs. Ponte Preta, 4:00p.m. (ESPN Deportes)
Mexico League: Puebla FC vs. Potros del Atlante, 12:50p.m (ESPN Deportes)
Canadian Football
Winnipeg Blue Bombers vs. Saskatchewan Roughriders, 4:00p.m. (ESPN3)
Basketball: FIBA Americas Championship
Saturday
Canada vs. Puerto Rico, 1:50p.m. (ESPN3)
Dominican Republic vs. Argentina, 5:20p.m. (ESPN3)
Paraguay vs. Venezuela, 7:50p.m. (ESPN3)
Sunday
Brazil vs. Canada, 11:20p.m. (ESPN3)
Mexico vs. Paraguay, 1:50p.m. (ESPN3)
Venezuela vs. Dominican Republic, 5:20p.m. (ESPN3)
Puerto Rico vs. Uruguay, 7:50p.m. (ESPN3)
Fighting
UFC 164 Prelims, 8:00p.m. Saturday (Fox Sports 1)
All Access: Mayweather vs. Canelo, 10:00p.m Saturday (Showtime)
TV
Jones and Moseley Show, 6:30p.m. Sunday (Fox Sports 1)
Remember Dhani Jones and Jonny Moseley? Right, anyway, the former NFL linebacker and Olympic skier take you around the world to show some of the most exciting action around. At least Jonny likes it.
Birthdays
Saturday
Jeff Hardy, WWE Wrestler, 35
Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals WR, 29
Pepe Reina, Spanish Goalkeeper, 30
Ryan Kesler, Vancouver Canucks Center, 28
Frank Robinson, Baseball Hall of Famer, 77
Tom Coughlin, New York Giants Head Coach, 66
Edwin Moses, Olympic Gold Medal Hurdler, 57
Scott Niedermayer, Former NHL Defenseman, 39
Lance Moore, New Orleans Saints WR, 29
Chris Duhon, NBA Point Guard, 30
Sunday
Daniel Sturridge, England and Chelsea Striker, 23
Tim Hardaway, Former NBA Point Guard, 46
Jason Taylor, Former NFL Defensive Lineman, 38
Sidney Rice, Seattle Seahawks WR, 26
Gael Monfils, Pro Tennis Player, 26
Josh Davis, Former Olympic Gold Swimmer, 40