Max Duggan did not win the Heisman, and Odell Beckham Jr. is not a Dallas Cowboy. And if those letdowns weren’t enough, the Stars got flattened by the Maple Leafs.
Perhaps a better week is in the offing this time around? Here’s what I’m watching.
Monday, 12/12—Thunder at Mavericks—7:30 p.m., Bally Sports Southwest
The up-and-down Mavs took two out of three from heavyweights Phoenix, Denver, and Milwaukee last week, which is a step in the right direction. But poor performances in small games are why Dallas has a .500 record, and no defeat was more embarrassing than its fourth-quarter meltdown against Oklahoma City in October:
Avenging that tonight won’t signal that the Mavs are suddenly back on track. But it will show they’re learning from their mistakes.
Saturday, 12/17—The Frisco Bowl: UNT versus Boise State—8:15 p.m., ESPN
Who doesn’t enjoy a little local flavor in a bowl game? And if you haven’t already read about Austin Aune, the Mean Green’s 29-year-old starting quarterback, take a few minutes to learn about his path to college football history prior to his final game.
Sunday, 12/18—The World Cup Final—9 a.m., FOX
I’m pulling for the winner of Argentina-Croatia over whoever emerges from the France-Morocco semifinal. But I think we can all make time for the world’s most-watched sporting event no matter who is on the pitch, yeah?