Friday's Big Weekend Preview

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This the the kind of weekend for which couches and television sets were designed. This is the kind of 48-hour span that explains the necessary function of sports bars. We've got enough good stuff on the tube this Friday to Sunday that you won't have to do all those things you're "supposed" to be doing. 

My car's going to the shop next weekend. You can do the same with cleaning your garage or whatever—you know it's just going to get messy again. 

Big NFL games? Check. Playoff baseball? Check. NASCAR at Talladega? Check. College football? Duh. Here's a preview so you don't miss anything good. 

MLB Playoffs

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When: All weekend

TV: TBS, MLB Network

Why You Should Watch: For the sake that it's a Friday and we've all had a long week, let's not bury you in a bunch of fluff: It's the MLB Playoffs.

Watch them.

They're good.

There's a one-game playoff between the Braves and Cardinals Friday night.

Watch that.

Watch the A's, because they're the best story in baseball. Watch the Giants, because they're fun. Watch the Yankees, because they're the Yankees. 

NASCAR Sprint Cup: Good Sam Roadside Assistance 500

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When: Sunday, 1 p.m. (ET)

TV: ABC

Why You Should Watch: Let's put it this way—there's a reason this race is on ABC and not ESPN like the other "Chase" races.

It's just that good.

It's the allure of Talladega and its super-high banking and super-high speeds and super-high chances for crazy "big one" crashes. 

The point of this race for championship contenders like Brad Keselowski (pictured) isn't to win—it's to survive. That's why it's on broadcast TV. Grab your rabbit ears and enjoy. 

Soccer for Breakfast

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When: Saturday (see below)

TV: Fox Soccer

Why You Should Watch: If you need a break from loud cars, tobacco-chewing baseball players and the all-consuming football country we live in, flip over to Fox Soccer and watch Chelsea play Norwich City (10 a.m. ET) and Arsenal take on West Ham (12:30 p.m. ET).

These are perfect breakfast times for West Coasters like me (or East Coasters who had a late one out). 

College Football Saturday

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When: All day Saturday

TV: Every Network Ever (Probably not, but still...)

You know why you should watch college football, so here are the games you shouldn't miss (all times ET):

1. LSU at Florida, 3:30 p.m., CBS
2. Georgia at South Carolina, 7 p.m., ESPN
3. West Virginia at Texas, 7 p.m., FOX
4. Nebraska at Ohio State, 8 p.m., ABC
5. Washington at Oregon, 10 p.m., ESPN

Seriously, this weekend is nuts. What a slate of games. 

NFL Sunday

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When: All Day Sunday

TV: CBS, FOX, NBC

Why You Should Watch: Yes, I did just troll you with a ginormous Tebow picture.

But what if he somehow comes into the Jets game against the Texans and does well?

Do I think it will happen? No.

Do I hope it happens? No, please no.

But it could.

I'd leave with that chilling thought, except for the fact the Broncos play the Pats this weekend, too. Watch that; it should be pretty good.