COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Top information: ESPN's Mark Jones reveals a Kansas State loss Saturday and a Texas win Friday would place the Longhorns in the Big XII Championship game.
Best criticism: ESPN's Robert Griffin III criticized his alma matter for being too predictable. "You could see what they were doing before the snap. That wanted a short gain to make it fourth and manageable. They gained nothing, and now they'll have to punt."
Top graphics: ESPN showed in the first half Baylor has had 40 plays and 20+ minutes compared to Texas' 12 and 7+ minutes, yet the Longhorns are controlling the score 17-12.
Funniest exchange: ESPN's Mark Jones after Robert Griffin III said he liked ambiguity in the CFB Playoff discussion, "It leads to some great yelling. I mean debate!"
Oops Award: CBS Sports Aaron Taylor said that Boise State would be playing for the MW Championship tomorrow (Nov 26) when it isn't until Dec 3.
Top Stat: CBS Sports Rich Waltz shared that Taylen Greens 91-yard touchdown is the longest play from scrimmage in Boise State history.
Top Stat: CBS Sports Tom McCarthy shared that Missouri has never lost to Arkansas in Columbia.
Best comparison: CBS Sports Rick Neuheisel, "First halves in football are like biology class. You push and prod until you find something to use in the second half and hope to be successful."
Top observation: ESPN's Jay Alter noticed that the snap from Oklahoma State Center Preston Wilson was never snapped on one play. Instead the rain caused the wet ball to slip from his hands and blow up any potential play.
Top Stat: ESPN's Charles Arbuckle reveals West Virginia's Jaylen Anderson is the top back-up Running Back averaging more than 9 yards a carry this season.
Game Changing Speed: ESPN's Jay Alter reveals that Jaylen Anderson has single handily broken the game open against Oklahoma State with 3 consecutive rushes for 126 yards and 2 TD's.
Top Point: ESPN's Charles Arbuckle said the key to winning any game when it is rainy and wet is to find ways to successfully run the ball, even when the opponent is expecting it.
Top stat: ESPN's Brian Custer shared Minnesota has led at the end of the 1st Quarter in 10/11 games this season.
Top stat: ESPN's Dave Flemming shares that Oregon has the best point differential in the nation of last 4 2nd Qtr minutes/1st 4 3rd Qtr minutes.
Best understatement: ESPN's Jordan Rodgers, "When your quarterback can throw 75-yards down field and you have time, you're going to get open at some point."
Best call: ESPN's Tom Hart, "The dangerous Dee Williams back to receive (the punt). He's got a chance, field open of the left side, to the logo, and you can wave goodbye. Dee Williams a 73-yard TD punt return."
Top stat: ESPN's Tom Hart reveals this is the first Tennessee punt return TD in 3 years.
Top stat: ESPN's Tom Hart revealed that South Carolina scored the most points by an unranked team against a ranked Tennessee last week in SEC history.
Top stat: ESPN's Tom Hart shared Tennessee is looking for their first 10 win regular season since 2003.
Top stat: Fox Sports Tim Brando shares Kansas State is trying to get their 14th straight football win vs. Kansas.
Top analysis: Fox Sports Spencer Tillman said, "When you're lined up on the left hash, you want to option to the right side to take advantage of all the open space."
Funniest comment: Fox Sports Tim Brando, "Jared Casey, That's the young man who got the NIL deal with Applebees after catching the game winning catch against Texas a year ago. Tonight the Longhorns are his biggest fan."
Funniest comment: Fox Sports Tim Brando, "There's no energy issue in the studio tonight. Emmanuel Acho is resplendent in plaid."
Best tie in: Fox Sports Tim Brando during a USA/Iran World Cup tie-in, "For the US it's win and advance, just like CFB this time of year. You want to keep playing, you have to keep winning."
Top stat: ESPN's Tom Hart revealed that next week is the fifth time LSU & Georgia will meet for the SEC Championship, and twice the winner went on to win the national championship.
Top stat: Fox Sports Alex Faust shares BYU is 5-0 when holding opponents to 26 points or fewers, giving BYU a heavy favor over Stanford who only scores 21 a game on average.
Top stat: Fox Sports Alex Faust shares that Stanford QB McKee has been sacked 36 times this season, more than any other QB in the Pac-12.
Top observation: Fox Sports Alex Faust reveals Stanford only has a 36% conversion rate on 3rd Down, but they started 2/3 on their series.
Oops Award: Fox Sports Alex Faust sent the BYU/Stanford game to a commercial break due to an injury, but it was nearly 2 minutes before Fox Sports production actually went to commercial.
Hustle Award: BYU Radio's Greg Wrubell called 3 men's basketball games at the Battle 4 Atlantis Wednesday- Friday before taking a flight to Stanford where he called BYU at Stanford football on Saturday.
Top Information: Fox Sports Alex Faust shared that Stanford RB Mitch Leigber started the season at safety for Stanford but moved to Running Back because of injuries. Tonight was his first start at RB since high school.
Top Stat: Fox Sports Alex Faust shared that Joshua Karty's missed extra point was not just his first miss of the year, it was the first miss of his career (PAT's and FG's).
Top Foresight: Fox Sports Petros Papadakis predicted that BYU would go Wildcat to Puka Nacua when he saw him line up behind Jaren Hall. Shortly after Nacua fumbled the snap.
Top stat: Fox Sports Alex Faust shares that BYU has more rushing yards in the first half (199) than they average on the season (187).
Oops Award: Fox Sports Gus Johnson and Joel Klatt unaware OSU called timeout before 3 and 2 play. Talked for 2 minutes about a play that didn’t count.
Best line: Fox Sports Joel Klatt, after Michigan takes a 45-23 lead over Ohio State, “That big boa constrictor came out from Michigan, and it just squeezed the life out of that Ohio State defense."
Funniest line: ABC Sean McDonough, after South Carolina's Mitch Jeter boots a 35-yard field goal against Clemson preceded by McDonough mentioning successful individual and team FG streaks for the Gamecocks, "So those of you who believe in the announcer jinx, remember that one."
NFL
Top graphics: CBS Sports Productions showed that Detroit was 3/3 on 2-point conversions this season while they were attempting their fourth. The announcers never mentioned it, but Detroit converted to remain perfect on the season.
Top graphics: CBS Sports Graphics showed Josh Allen averages 293 yards passing per game but only has 158 entering the 4th.
Best throwback: CBS Sports Jim Nantz compared the plays in the Buffalo/Detroit Thanksgiving game to the old Texas/Texas A&M Thanksgiving rivalry.
Top stat: CBS Sports Jim Nantz shared Detroit Lions QB Jared Goff has thrown 2 or more TD's in 9 of the last 10 home games, including the Thanksgiving game.
Oops Award: CBS Sports Tony Romo said you don't want to spin counter clockwise when you're about to throw to the left before correcting himself, "Wait, maybe it is counter clockwise. You always want to spin into the throw."
Top stat: CBS Sports Jim Nantz shared that the Thanksgiving game is the first time all-year Buffalo has had 3 straight possessions end in a punt.
Top call: CBS Sports Jim Nantz on a game tying field goal, "And that kick's going right...No! WAIT! It's coming back, and it's through the uprights! We're tied at 25!"
Funniest line: Fox Sports Kevin Burkhardt, "It looks like he just had a Thanksgiving turkey slip through his hands. You have to keep a hold of that bull."
Top stat: Fox Sports Kevin Burkhardt shares that the Giants defense has 2 interceptions in the first 10 games. Yet they've managed to get 2 interceptions in the first half vs. Dallas.
Increased pacing penalties: After the ninth 3rd Quarter penalty, Fox Sports Kevin Burkhardt said (in an exasperated voice), "It feels like there's been a penalty every 9 seconds in this second half.
Top analysis: Fox Sports Kevin Burkhardt was all over why a CeeDee Lamb 1 handed reception was ruled incomplete. "When it comes to possession toes are good, but if it comes down to the heel of a foot then the entire foot has to come down inbounds."
Best line: Fox Sports Kevin Burkhardt, after 2 Dalton Shultz receiving TD's and a Peyton Vandershot rushing TD, " It's really national TE day. 4 on the field and 3 straight TD's."
Funniest exchange: After Kevin Burkhardt called the Christmas World Cup sweaters ugly sweaters,
Olsen: "Did you think they were ugly? I think they're kind of cool."
Burkhardt, " Well ugly is the new best of."
Olsen, "I'm just mad I didn't get one."
Burkhardt, "Let's get through our Thanksgiving game first."
Funniest follow-up: Fox Sports Kevin Burkhardt after Greg Olsen complained about not having a sweater, "Somehow Greg complained about being left out with no sweater, and within 4 minutes here we are dressed out in newly discovered sweaters."
Oops Award: After the Giants scored a TD to make the score 28-19 Dallas, Fox Sports Greg Olsen declared, "Interesting. The Giants are gonna go for the FG here to make it 1 possession."
Top stat: NBC Sports graphics showed that Minnesota & New England combined for only 69 yards rushing in the first half. Most of the damage was done through the pass.
Top Point: CBS Sports Jay Feely says, "I know you're wanting to run your offense, but when you're up 30-0 the thing you need to do is protect Tua and get him out of the game."
Top Info: CBS Sports Spero Dedes shares one of the reasons the Texans are trying new starters this week is because head coach Lovie Smith wants to find out which positions he needs to prioritize in next years NFL Draft when the Texans have 10 picks.
Top Info: CBS Sports Andrew Catalon shared that Ravens QB Lamar Jackson forgot his Louisville career ended in Jacksonville until Catalon asked him about it.
Top Stat: CBS Sports Andrew Catalon shared that 13 points was the fewest amount Lamar Jackson led the Ravens to in a win while he was starting.
Top Stat: CBS Sports Andrew Catalon shares Baltimore has forced a turnover in 13 straight games, the longest active streak in the NFL.
Top Info: CBS Sports James Lofton shared that of Baltimore's 20 forced turnovers this year, it has been a balanced attack with 11 interceptions and 9 fumbles.
Top Analysis: CBS Sports James Lofton shared that Mario Edwards illustrated the need for persistence and vigilance in the NFL on back-to-back plays, bringing Jackson down at the one and then batting the pass attempt away.
Top foresight: CBS Sports James Lofton said a reason for Jacksonville needing to go for it on 4th Down was because Baltimore was running out the clock.
Andrew Catalon replied, "Looking at TOP, the Ravens have an 8 minute advantage, illustrating your point."
Top Analysis: CBS Sports James Lofton shared, "Baltimore focuses on what they call 4-point defense. Yes, they realize when a team is in FG range, but they choose to focus more on defending the end zone and forcing the FG."
Top Stat: CBS Sports Andrew Catalon shares Jacksonville has the second worst record in 1 score games: 3-10. The only team with a worse record: the Texans.
Top call: CBS Sports Andrew Catalon, on Justin Tucker's FG attempt to win the game, "That kick was on line, and from 66 it may have been good. From 67, NO!"
Funniest comment: Fox Sports Mark Sanchez, "I think Olave had to make that catch. If he hadn't, it'd likely be stuck to him through the face mask of his helmet."
Best comparison: Fox Sports Kevin Kugler compared the 49ers equal distribution to an evenly distributed Thanksgiving pie.
Top Stat: Fox Sports Kevin Kugler reveals the 49ers D has given up 0 points in the second half of the last 3 games.
Top stat: Fox Sports Kevin Kugler shares that while the 49ers Defense is the best at stopping 3rd and medium or long range and at forcing turnovers, they are actually the worst at stopping 3rd and short (3 or less).
Funniest exchange: Fox Sports...
Kugler: "I hear John Lynch has some good dance moves."
Sanchez: "That I don't know about."
Kugler: "Ok. Maybe not. I could have some bad information."
Best comparison: Fox Sports Kevin Kugler,
"This 49ers defense reminds me of our old colleague John Lynch's time at Tampa Bay. They always have their hands on the ball and cause great pressure."
Best Touchdown Call: CBS Sports Greg Gumbel on the game winning TD,
"Jacobs is up the middle, Jacobs is on his way.... the Raiders are gonna win this game. (Natural audience for about 1 minute) Jacobs 83 yards, and the Raiders have won back to back games."
Funniest line: CBS Sports Ian Eagle, after a tackle for loss by Bengals, “Mike Hilton vs. Tennessee: "He brought the entire hotel."
We need to condense this one.
Strongest comment: CBS Sports Charles Davis after a Titans penalty for bowling over the snapper on a field goal, "Could not be a more unchacteristic way to end for a team as disciplined as TN & a team that understands the rulebook as well as Mike Vrabel and his coaches and team."
AROUND THE DIAL
Amazon will have Al Michaels, Kirk Herbstreit, and Kaylee Hartung on the call of Bills/Patriots. Kickoff is scheduled Thursday at 8:20pm ET.
CBS will have Ian Eagle, Charles Davis, and Evan Washburn on the call of Jets/Vikings Sunday. Kickoff is scheduled at 1pm ET.
CBS will have Kevin Harlan, Trent Green, and Melanie Collins on the call of Broncos/Ravens Sunday. Kickoff is scheduled at 1pm ET.
CBS will have multi-sport star Andrew Catalon and James Lofton on the call of Steelers/Falcons Sunday. Kickoff is scheduled at 1pm ET.
CBS will have Spero Dedes, Jay Feely, and Aditi Kinkhabwala on the call of Browns/Texans Sunday. Kickoff is scheduled at 1pm ET.
CBS will have Jim Nantz, "Mr. Predictor" Tony Romo, and Tracy Wolfson on the call of Chiefs/Bengals Sunday. Kickoff is scheduled at 4:25pm ET.
CBS will have Greg Gumbel, Adam Archuleta, and AJ Ross on the call of Chargers/Raiders Sunday. Kickoff is scheduled at 4:25pm ET.
Fox will have Kevin Burkhardt, Greg Olsen, Erin Andrews, and Tom Rinaldi on the call of Titans/Eagles Sunday. Kickoff is scheduled at 1pm ET.
Compass Media will have Chris Carrino and Brian Baldinger on the call of Titans/Eagles Sunday.
Fox will have Adam Amin, Mark "Stink" Schlereth, and Kristina Pink on the call of Packers/Bears Sunday. Kickoff is scheduled at 1pm ET.
Fox will have Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma, and Shannon Spake on the call of Commanders/Giants Sunday. Kickoff is scheduled at 1pm ET.
ESPN Radio will have Steve Levy and Mike Tannenbaum on the call of Commanders/Giants Sunday.
Fox will have the best interviewer in the business in Chris Myers, Robert Smith and Jen Hale on the call of Jaguars/Lions Sunday. Kickoff is scheduled at 1pm ET.
Fox will have the voice of MLB Joe Davis, Daryl Johnston, and Pam Oliver on the call of Dolphins/49ers Sunday. Kickoff is scheduled at 4:05pm ET.
Compass Media will have Bill Rosinski and Chad Brown on the call of Dolphins/49ers Sunday.
Fox will have multi-sport star Kevin Kugler, Mark Sanchez, and Laura Okmin on the call of Seahawks/Rams Sunday. Kickoff is scheduled at 4:05pm ET.
ESPN Radio will have Marc Kestecher, Kelly Stouffer, and Ian Fitzsimmons on the call of Seahawks/Rams Sunday.
NBC will have Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth, and Melissa Stark on the call of Colts/Cowboys Sunday. Kickoff is scheduled at 8:20pm ET.
Compass Media will have Kevin Ray and Danny White on the call of Colts/Cowboys Sunday.
ESPN will have the exciting long-term team of Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, and Lisa Salters on the call of Saints/Buccaneers Monday. Kickoff is scheduled at 8:15pm ET.
ESPN+ will have Robert Lee and high school football insider Craig Haubert on the call of New Hampshire/Holy Cross Saturday. The second round FCS Playoff game kicks off at high noon.
ESPN+ will have James Westling and Leger Douzable on the call of Gardner-Webb/William & Mary Saturday. The second round FCS Playoff game kicks off at 2pm ET.
ESPN+ will have “the voice of the smaller Texas universities” David Saltzman and Taylor McHargue on the call of Furman/Incarnate Word. The second round FCS Playoff game kicks off at 2pm ET.
ESPN+ will have Sam Neidermann and the man with the MAC’s best insight Adam Brenemen on the call of Delaware/South Dakota State. The second round FCS Playoff game kicks off at 3pm ET.
ESPN+ will have the excellent and often overlooked Ted Emrich and Tyoka Jackson on the call of Weber State/Montana State. The second round FCS Playoff game kicks off at 3pm ET.
ESPN+ will have Michael Reghi and Forrest Conoly on the call of Southeastern Louisiana/Samford. The second round FCS Playoff game kicks off at 3pm ET.
ESPN+ will have “the voice of High School Football” Connor Onion and Charles “Buck” Arbuckle on the call of Montana/North Dakota State. The second round FCS Playoff game kicks off at 3:30pm ET.
ESPN+ will have Noah Reed and Marcus Ray on the call of Richmond/Sacramento State. The second round FCS Playoff game kicks off at 5pm ET.
Fox Sports will have Jason Benetti and Brock Huard on the call of the Pac-12 Championship between USC/Utah Friday. Kickoff is scheduled for 8pm ET.
ESPN Radio will have Marc Kestecher, Kelly Stouffer, and Ian Fitzsimmons on the call of the Pac-12 Championship game between USC/Utah.
CBSSN will have star voice Rich Waltz, Aaron Taylor, and Sherree Burruss on the call of the Conference USA Championship Friday between North Texas/UTSA. Kickoff is scheduled at 7:30pm ET.
ABC will have Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, and Holly Rowe on the call of the Big 12 Championship Saturday between Kansas State/TCU. Kickoff is scheduled for high noon.
ESPN Radio will have Mike Couzens and Max Starks on the call of the Big 12 Championship between Kansas State/TCU.
ESPN will have Beth Mowins, Kirk Morrison, and Stormy Buonantony on the call of the MAC Championship Saturday between Ohio/Toledo. Kickoff is scheduled at high noon.
ESPN will have Dave Flemming, Rod Gilmore, and Tiffany Blackmon on the call of the Sun Belt Championship Saturday between Coastal Carolina/Troy. Kickoff is scheduled at 3:30pm ET.
CBS will have Brad Nessler, Gary Danielson, and Jenny Dell on the call of the 2022 SEC Championship Saturday between LSU/Georgia. Kickoff is scheduled for 4pm ET.
Westwood One will have Mike Watts, Derek Rackley, and Olivia Dekker on the call of the SEC Championship Saturday between LSU/Georgia.
SEC Radio (powered by Learfield) will have the voice of the SEC Dave Neal that is calling his incredible run of 24th straight SEC Championship, Dave Archer, and Stephen Hartzell on the call of the SEC Championship Saturday between LSU/Georgia.
Fox Sports will have the dynamic duo of Tim Brando, Spencer Tillman, and the informational Petros Papadakis on the call of the Mountain West Championship game between Fresno State/Boise State Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled at 4pm ET.
ABC will have Dave Pasch, Dusty Dvoracek, and Tom Luginbill on the call of the American Championship between UCF/Tulane Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 4pm ET.
ESPN will have Tiffany Greene, Jay Walker, and Jalyn Johnson on the call of the SWAC Championship between Southern/Jackson State Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled at 4pm ET on ESPN2.
ABC will have Sean McDonough, Todd Blackledge, and Molly McGrath on the call of the ACC Championship between North Carolina/Clemson Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled at 8pm ET.
ESPN Radio will have Sean Kelley (back from Florida Gators duties) and Tom Ramsey on the call of the ACC Championship between North Carolina/Clemson Saturday.
Fox Sports will have Gus Johnson and Joel Klatt on the call of the Big Ten Championship Saturday between Purdue/Michigan. Kickoff is scheduled at 8pm ET.
Compass Media will have Gregg Daniels and Tiki Barber on the call of the Big Ten Championship Saturday.
