Top Games to Look Forward to on Thanksgiving Weekend

Your family is over for the long weekend and let's face it—you will need to escape for a bit. Lucky for you, this weekend will be a sports lover's dream.

There are loads of rivalries and exciting games going on this weekend in all sports. No matter what sport you love, chances are there is a good game going on.

So lets countdown the top games to look forward to this weekend. Make sure to write them down and escape your family with a leftover turkey sandwich.

Enjoy this sports weekend! As always, feel free to add your input on top games this weekend that I may have missed.

No. 9: Cincinnati Bearcats-Illinois Fighting Illini

No. 5 Cincinnati hosts a big game this weekend against the University of Illinois. With only two games left this season, Cincinnati needs a couple big wins and a minor prayer to get into the BCS Championship Game.

While the Illini are not bowl bound, they do come from a major conference with a decent schedule and a Cincinnati win could help the Bearcat's case to get in to the Championship Game.

Look at this as a warm-up for the Pittsburgh game next weekend, but enjoy watching a high-powered offense and solid team in the Bearcats.

No. 8: Dallas Mavericks-Cleveland Cavaliers

Let's face it, nothing beats watching LeBron James. He is one of the league's best players of all time and is always exciting to watch. At least more exciting than listening to your grandpa's stories.

King James and the Cavs host the Dallas Mavericks this weekend. Both teams have matching 10-4 records, are atop their respective divisions, and in fourth place in their conferences.

With two solid playoff contenders, this looks to be an entertaining game. Tip off is Saturday at 8:30pm EST.

No. 7: Green Bay Packers-Detroit Lions

With two solid victories against the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers, the Green Bay Packers look to be back on their game. They still have a lot of work to do and a victory on Thanksgiving against the lowly Lions will help boost them into December.

While the Lions are not the best (cough, they are almost the worst) team in the league, they always play better on Thanksgiving. Not to mention, Green Bay- Detroit is almost becoming a Thanksgiving tradition.

These two teams first faced off on Turkey Day in 1951. Detroit has lost five straight Thanksgiving games and Mike McCarthy has never lost to the Lions.

This should still be a nice game to watch right before you chow down.

No. 6: New York Giants-Denver Broncos

Both teams started out hot and then hit the wall, or more appropriately slammed into the wall and fell over. The Giants and Broncos face off on Thanksgiving in an important game for both teams.

Both teams look to get back on track and stay in the playoff race. They have both been overtaken for first place in their divisions and need wins to keep the pressure on.

The last time Denver hosted a Thanksgiving game was in 1963, so they will look to use this spotlight and play a much improved game.

No. 5: Alabama-Auburn

Last week was considered rivalry week, but the rivalry games continue into this weekend too as Auburn will host Alabama in the Iron Bowl.

Last year, the Crimson Tide took it to the Tigers, shutting them out and winning 36-0.

Alabama has already wrapped up the SEC West and will face Florida next week, so they would like another blow out victory to rest some players. Anything can happen in rivalry week and in the Iron Bowl.

Kickoff is slated for 2:30pm EST on Friday.

No. 4: Florida Gators-Michigan State Spartans

Crappy football team? That's no problem for Michigan State University—they have Tom Izzo and the No. 2 basketball team in the country. They will face the Florida Gators this weekend in the Legends Classic Tournament.

Both teams are 4-0 and Michigan State always plays exciting basketball. The winner of this game will face the winner of Rutgers-UMass for the tournament title.

Chances are, the winner of this game will win the tournament. Tip-off will be at 8:00pm EST on Friday.

No. 3: BYU Cougars-Utah Utes

Like I stated before, this is still rivalry week, and the Holy War commences on Saturday at 5:00pm EST in Provo.

Both teams are tied for second place in the Mountain West, with both of their conference losses coming against TCU. While neither team is playing for a BCS berth, the winner will get a much better bowl matchup.

The Cougars and Utes are both still ranked in the top 25. Having three teams finish the season in the top 25 would be a great feat for this conference. Be on the lookout, as anything can happen in the Holy War.

No. 2: Pittsburgh Steelers-Baltimore Ravens

Each team had an upsetting loss last week and looks to rebound to remain in the playoff hunt. While Baltimore's loss is less pathetic (or not at all pathetic), both teams are still chasing the Cincinnati Bengals and need to keep pace.

Pittsburgh is 6-4 and leading the wildcard thus far, while Baltimore is .500 and needs a win to remain alive.

Needless to say, this is a must win for each team.

Also, division rivalry games are always more exciting, especially on Sunday Night Football.

No. 1: New England Patriots-New Orleans Saints

Okay, so Monday night technically isn't the weekend, but this is THE GAME of the extended weekend. The only team to go 16-0 in the regular season is the New England Patriots and they look to end the Saints undefeated bid.

It was only two weeks ago that the Pats tried to hand the Indianapolis Colts their first loss of the season. Does anyone remember that game? Belichick went for it on fourth down—I don't know if you remember that or not, but it didn't work out so well for New England.

Now the Pats have a chance to redeem themselves and hand the red-hot Saints their first loss of the season. The Saints have the best offense in the NFL, scoring 36.9 points per game. Meanwhile, the Patriots have won their last six Monday Night Football games.

This will be the game of the weekend for sure! Enjoy this one because we may not see another game this exciting until the playoffs.