What To Watch...

This weekend.

Okay I may have jumped the gun by posting this on Thursday, but you need ample time to plan your weekend accordingly. You can thank me later.

Friday, which is technically not the weekend, but you can kick off your shoes without work on your mind. So here you go:

Detroit Pistons @ Orlando Magic, 7:00 PM ET
Although this may not be on TV in your area (find a nice bar that has access to it), this is a great matchup because it has the veteran-savvy Pistons facing the upstart Magic. Yes, it is early in the NBA season but the "W" in the column has the same effect in April. The Pistons are going to have their hands full with Magic center Dwight Howard, the man-child. The guy is the next coming of Shaq, he is a BEAST. His game is getting better and better as he is practiced on his jump shot over the summer.

This will be a nice early test for the Magic to compare themselves to a top-tier team in the East. I like the Magic's chances with Jameer Nelson and newly-acquired Rashard Lewis there to help Howard.

MLS: FC Dallas @ Houston Dynamo, 8:30 PM ET, Western Conference Semifinal series
Hey, there are soccer fans out there that watch the American version.... oh nevermind, watch Euro soccer.

Saturday, all College Football:
Arizona State @ Oregon Ducks, 6:40 PM ET, ESPN
#4 and #5 teams in the nation battling it out for their Pac-10 championship lives. Arizona St. is 8-0 under first-year coach Dennis Erickson, and Oregon is 7-1 after defeating USC last week. In my personal opinion, the Pac-10 is the best conference in the nation right now. We can argue about the Pac-10/SEC conferences over a couple of brews.

LSU @ Alabama, 5:00 PM ET, CBS
Nick Saban will be facing his former team and is looking to spoil LSU's aspirations for a national title. This will be a good one.

Rutgers @ UConn, 7:15 PM ET, ESPNU
Upset special of the week. UConn is ranked 13th and is 3-0 in Big East play. Rutgers are crashing the party this week.

Sunday:
Dallas Cowboys @ Philadelphia Eagles, 8:15 PM ET, NBC
Blah blah blah. NFC East. Owens back in Philly. Romo got a new contract. Cool.

New England Patriots @ Indianapolis Colts, 4:15 PM ET, CBS
No doubt this game has been jammed down your throat this week. As it should be. This is the best rivalry in the NFL right now, and this will be the game that decides who gets to play at home in the AFC Championship game when the two face each again in the playoffs. Each team is kissing each other's ass right now, and looking for the edge to pump each other up. Anakin Skywalker v. Obi Won Kenobi (Brady-Manning). Emperor Palpatine v. Samuel L. Jackson bitch! Mace Windu (Belichick-Dungy).

This is the first of three Super Bowls we are getting to watch this season. The second will be when the two battle it out in the AFC Championship game. And the third and final will be when one of these teams beats up on whoever comes out of the NFC. More on this game in my NFL Week 9 picks.

Monday, to cure those "Monday blues":
Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers, 8:30 PM ET, ESPN
A nice hangover remedy from the big Sunday game going on at 4:15 PM ET on CBS. Did you hear about that game? This Monday night game will provide a good background distraction while you are talking about Sunday's game between, I think it is, the Colts and Pats? But seriously, this is an important game between these AFC North teams.

South Park owns.