Screen Shots: December 26th, 2024-January 1st, 2025

Welcome to Screen Shots! This is where I tell you what sporting events you should watch on TV every week! Make sure you subscribe so it comes straight to your inbox! Have your own suggestions? Shoot me an email at [email protected]!

Once again, “Beyond The Arc with Brandon Silvers” is on an indefinite hiatus as we get my grandmother (affectionately known as “Mimee”) back up and running after a bout with pneumonia. However, there’s plenty of stuff for you to watch in the meantime! Let’s talk about it!

Thursday, December 26th, 2024

• NBA: Oklahoma City Thunder @ Indiana Pacers at 7:00 pm (ET) on NBA TV

When I make my glorious podcasting return, I plan to discuss this growing narrative that the NBA is terrible now. Without getting too deep into it, I believe these things are cyclical and we are simply on the opposite end of the playing style spectrum as those early 2000s iso-ball days where teams struggled to score 80 points. Until then, check out this one as the Pacers might finally be on track, having won 6 of their last 7 after an awful start. They still have things to figure out, but there might be light at the end of the tunnel after all!

Friday, December 27th, 2024

• NBA: Golden State Warriors @ Los Angeles Clippers at 10:00 pm (ET) on NBA TV

That’s right, I’m doubling down on the NBA! After losing Paul George in free agency and Kawhi Leonard to having knees made out of Nature Valley bars, it seemed like the Clippers were on their way to a miserable season. However, Ty Lue has done this before. This time around, Norman Powell is leading the way averaging a career-high 24.1 PPG.

Saturday, December 28th, 2024

• College Football Pop-Tarts Bowl: #18 Iowa State Cyclones @ #13 Miami Hurricanes at 3:30 pm (ET) on ABC

They may have jumped the shark with a trophy that doubles as a toaster and an edible mascot, but Pop-Tarts are an elite snack. Here are my official Pop-Tart product rankings:

5) Frosted strawberry minis

4) Frosted wild berry (toasted)

3) Frosted blueberry (untoasted)

2) Brown sugar cinnamon (toasted)

1) Frosted blueberry (toasted)

• Men’s College Basketball: Utah State Aggies @ #20 San Diego State Aztecs at 6:00 pm (ET) on Fox

The Aggies are a sneaky good mid-major program despite constant turnover at the head coaching position. New coach Jerrod Calhoun is the fourth coach they’ve had since 2018. In that time, they have still managed to make the NCAA Tournament 4 times, including advancing to the 2nd round last year. Tap into this one to get a head start on your bracket.

Sunday, December 29th, 2024

• NFL: Green Bay Packers @ Minnesota Vikings at 4:25 pm (ET) on Fox

Y’all know I love a rivalry game with playoff implications. Both teams are already in, but the Vikings are tied with the Lions at the top of the AFC North. That seems crazy to me because whenever I watch both teams Detroit looks much better, but Minnesota has won 8 in a row so what do I know? Now, the Vikings and Lions play each other to end the season next week, but Minnesota has to get past a solid Green Bay team if that game is going to be in the next edition of Screen Shots.

• Women’s College Basketball: #23 Michigan Wolverines @ #4 USC Trojans at 10:00 pm (ET) on Big Ten Network

The Wolverines have played their previous two Top-10 opponents (South Carolina and Oklahoma) tough before falling at the end. They get their 3rd chance for an upset against a Trojans team that just knocked off UConn in a thriller. This will be the 1st of 3 straight matchups with Top 10 teams as they open up Big Ten play with a bang.

Monday, December 30th, 2024

• Holiday Movie of the Week: The Air Up There (1994)

Yes, we still have holiday movies to discuss. Now, the only thing this has to do with any holiday is that it’s my own personal tradition to watch it during the week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve. The premise is outdated at best and white savior-ish at worst, but I love it in spite of its flaws. If you can find it, check it out!

Tuesday, December 31st, 2024

• College Football Cheez-It Citrus Bowl: #15 South Carolina Gamecocks @ #20 Illinois Fighting Illini at 3:00 pm (ET) on ABC

Just an absolutely shameless and unapologetic homer pick by me. QB LaNorris Sellers has improved so much over the course of the season that I find myself trying to figure out if he’s a shorter Cam Newton or a bulkier Michael Vick. That’s slightly over-the-top, but he’s really good so check him out!

• College Football Playoff: #6 Penn State Nittany Lions @ #3 Boise State Broncos at 7:30 pm (ET) on ESPN

Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty may not have won the Heisman, but at least he doesn’t have the entire internet giving its opinion on his relationship. Hell, I don’t even know who he’s dating. He’s within range of the single-season rushing record set by Barry Sanders in 1988. That would be cool to see, but it’s worth pointing out that Barry did it in 11 games whereas this will be Jeanty’s 14th.

Wednesday, January 1st, 2025

• College Football Playoff: #5 Texas Longhorns @ #4 Arizona State Sun Devils at 1:00 pm (ET) on ESPN

The Longhorns rolled over the 2nd best team in South Carolina in the first round. Now, they face the best Arizona has to offer.

• College Football Playoff: #8 Ohio State Buckeyes @ #1 Oregon Ducks at 5:00 pm (ET) on ESPN

The Ducks beat the Buckeyes by 1 earlier this season when Ohio State QB Will Howard picked the final play to try to prove that time is a social construct. While that may be true, it actually serves a very important purpose that helps us live our lives better. Hopefully, he understands that now.

• College Football Playoff: #7 Notre Dame Fighting Irish @ #2 Georgia Bulldogs at 8:45 pm (ET) on ESPN

As a former haver of hair, I can appreciate the crispiness of Marcus Freeman’s lineup. However, as a hater, I feel like I’ve seen his barber’s work before.

Hope you had a Merry Christmas (or whatever you celebrate!) and appreciate you checking out my words! Have a safe and fun New Year’s!