Friday's Big Weekend Preview

Goodbye, baseball. Thanks for getting us through those hot summer days when we didn't feel like being productive outside. It was nice. Heck, my team won the whole dang thing. But it was time. 

Football's starting to get more interesting. The NBA has made its arrival. Time for a welcomed break from ERA's and the lot. This time around, all football, all NBA (and a bit of racing, just for the sake of full disclosure). 

NASCAR Sprint Cup: AAA Texas 500

When: Sunday, 2 p.m. (ET)

TV: ESPN 

Why Should Watch: If loud and fast is the way you like sports, then you've only got a couple chances to watch the sport that typifies this the most.

Two more weeks after this, and Jimmie Johnson (pictured) could add another title to his stable. And at the same time, you'll be without NASCAR. Enjoy it while it's still here, even if it's just for a few seconds at a time while the NFL is on at a commercial. 

The NBA Is Back

Now that's it the weekend, take some time to get familiar with America's favorite form of basketball—No Lockout 2012 Edition! Really, it's nice to not have to wait until Christmas to unwrap things like last-second shots from Tony Parker for victories. 

That being said, I'm a Kings fan. I'd personally prefer this season never starts. And yes, as a Kings fan, this a photo of Dwight Howard being unhappy. Tough. You're still going to win the West, lemme have this one. 

College Football Saturday

All day on nearly every channel that doesn't feel like showing infomercials or bad 1990s movies, here are the games you should be watching. Get your remote ready, especially when two of the later games start to overlap. (All times ET)

• No. 23 Texas at No. 18 Texas Tech, ABC/ESPN2, 3:30 p.m.
• No. 4 Oregon at No. 17 USC, FOX, 7 p.m.
• No. 24 Oklahoma State at No. 2 Kansas State, ABC, 8 p.m.
• No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 5 LSU, CBS, 8 p.m.

NFL Sunday

You know the drill. CBS and Fox in the morning/afternoon, NBC at night (in a game where you get MVP contender Matt Ryan—pictured—against the Cowboys). Here's a schedule to perfectly plan your Sunday.