Friday's Big Weekend Preview

It's officially fall now, and as such, the weekend preview is in full-football swing. And if this were any other year, we'd be far past gawking over the luster that is our favorite sport. Things would be normal now—stabilized. It's just like a new school year, the initial getting-to-know-everyone feeling eventually wears off. 

Not in 2012, though. Not with the NFL. This whole official mess made this a completely different year than any before it, and now (with the mess cleaned up), we'll get a full Sunday schedule of games with people who actually know what they're doing. 

So, here's to watching some actually organized NFL—and a NASCAR race, the last weekend of the MLB regular season and the college-football games. 

NASCAR Spint Cup: AAA 400

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

TV: ESPN

Why You Should Watch: I've made the argument before that you don't have to skip a football game to watch this. Flip over during the commercials, catch the last few laps or DVR it and skip everything but the crashes/final 20 circles of the "Monster Mile," where this event is being held (Dover, Del.).

Denny Hamlin, pictured above, won last week and put himself in a good position to make a run at a title (NASCAR's "chase" or "playoffs" is going on right now). And why should you root for Denny Hamlin?

Well, there are more than a few reasons, but this is one of the best.

MLB Playoff Race

When: All weekend

TV: Various networks

Why You Should Watch: With two wild-card spots in each division, we're now allowed to appreciate more meaningful late-season games. You should show Oakland your support, a team making a run that could punk Moneyball if the A's sneak into the postseason.

This is a team that's battled injuries to the starting pitching staff and has a payroll of pennies compared to the big boys.

What's not to like here?

Arsenal vs. Chelsea

When: Saturday, 7:45 a.m. (ET)

TV: ESPN2

Why You Should Watch: If you're on the West Coast, stay up late. East Coasters, rise and shine with a match between two of the best-known football teams in the world. 

College Football Buffet

All weekend and across nearly every network this side of ever. 

Here are the can't-miss games of the week: 

• No. 25 Baylor at No. 9 West Virginia: Noon (ET), FX
• No. 14 Ohio State at No. 20 Michigan State: 3:30 p.m. (ET), ABC
• No. 12 Texas at Oklahoma State: 7:50 p.m. (ET), FOX
• No. 2 Oregon vs. Washington State (in Seattle): 10:30 p.m. (ET), ESPN2

NFL Sunday

All Sunday on CBS, FOX, NBC and NFL RedZone (which I highly recommend).

You've got your team, so watch away. I'll be fixated on 49ers vs. Jets, with Saints vs. Packers as my afternoon game and Giants vs. Eagles capping it off on NBC. But, you've always got other options, too. That's what makes sports great.