College Football championship weekend is here! And you won’t miss a minute of the action with ZapperBox!

By Curt Schwaderer

The action kicks of Thursday night on FOX at 7pm central time when #11 Boise State plays #22 UNLV for the Mountain West championship with huge playoff implications – if Boise State can win, they may solidify a first round bye in the playoffs.

Saturday at 11am central time on ABC features the Big XII championship where the #18 Iowa State Cyclones face the #16 Arizona State Sun Devils. Arizona State, picked to finish last in the pre-season polls, has had a remarkable season. The Iowa State Cyclones started the season at 7-0 before dropping a couple of games, but finishing strong with wins over Cincinnati and Kansas State to reach the championship game. The ZapperBox team is pulling hard for the Cyclones!

The action continues on ABC at 3pm central Saturday when Texas will play Georgia for the SEC championship. Then at 7pm central on CBS Penn State plays Oregon for the Big Ten championship while on ABC Clemson plays SMU for the ACC championship.

Week 14 of the NFL is here and consult your local listings for the games in your area – the noon central game on FOX  has the 6-6 Falcons against the 10-2 Vikings which should be a good game. The 3:05 game on CBS features the 7-5 Seattle Seahawks against the 6-6 Rams which has division implications. The 7:20pm game on NBC is probably the best game of the weekend where the 8-4 Chargers will play at the 11-1 Chiefs.

But wait – there’s more! As we near the end of 2024, that means college basketball is “March”ing toward the conference season.

This Saturday, December 7^th on CW Syracuse takes on Notre Dame at noon central. At 1:30pm central on FOX #11 Wisconsin takes on #5 Marquette.

By Curt Schwaderer

It’s rivalry weekend and while you’re eating way too much turkey and pie, ZapperBox will be bringing you key games that will decide the college football playoff field. At 11am ET on FOX, #11 Boise State can get one step closer to the playoffs with a win over Oregon State. On ABC the Colorado Buffaloes host the Oklahoma State Cowboys which could get them into the Big XII championship game with a little help. The 6:30 game Friday on ABC features Nebraska visiting Iowa in Kinnick Stadium. Saturday at 11am on FOX is one of the most historic rivalries in footall when Michigan plays Ohio State. The 6:30pm game on FOX is the huge Farmaggedon Face-off with Kansas State meeting the Iowa State Cyclones – with a win, Iowa State is in the Big XII Championship as long as BYU wins the 9:15 game against Houston if a 4-way tie at the top of the Big XII happens.

The NFL has a triple header on Thanksgiving – 11:30 on CBS has the Chicago Bears at the Detroit Lions on CBS, Giants at the Cowboys on FOX at 3:30 and Miami at Green Bay at 7:20pm on NBC. Two good games on Sunday features the Eagles at Baltimore at 3:25pm on CBS an the 7:20pm night game on NBC when the 49ers play the surging Buffalo Bills.

The college football season is winding down and with all the upsets and huge wins, it’s anyone’s guess who will make the College Football Playoffs!

By Curt Schwaderer

The picture will become clearer after this weekend’s games and you’ll want to set your ZapperBox to see the most crucial games of the weekend!

Saturday at 11am ET on FOX the undefeated #5 Indiana Hoosiers will face the 1-loss and #2 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes. Some say Indiana is a paper tiger, but we’ll find out in this match-up which will be huge in deciding the Big Ten Conference Championship match-up.

Texas is in the driver’s seat in the SEC – ABC is showing Kentucky versus the Longhorns at 2:30 ET – Kentucky has had some big upsets and another one in Austin and the SEC standings will become chaos.

A huge game in the Big XII where parity rules when the #17 Colorado Buffaloes visit the Kansas Jayhawks at Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas has beaten #17 Iowa State and the previously undefeated and #6 BYU Cougars in consecutive weeks – can they pull a 3^rd upset and knock off the Buffaloes?

NBC is showing Army at Notre Dame at 6pm ET on NBC. Army is undefeated and this will be their toughest game of the season. If they can win, Army may be headed to the College Football Playoffs.

The NBC 9:30 ET night cap features the iconic USC Trojans against the UCLA Bruins in the Rose Bowl. This iconic match-up has moved from the PAC-12 to the Big Ten this year, but it’s still one of the country’s best rivalries no matter what the records are.

To be honest, this week’s NFL schedule features a lot of games between conference leaders and the cellar-dwellers. But if you like upsets, there could be plenty this weekend! The noon ET CBS game is the 9-1 Chiefs suffering their first loss last week against the 3-7 Panthers. FOX’s noon ET game is the historic matchup between the 8-2 Vikings against the 4-6 Bears who were narrowly defeated by the Packers last week by having their game-winning field goal blocked. Can they come off the mat and beat their biggest rival?

The 3:25  ET FOX matchup is the 49ers against the 7-3 Packers. The 49ers are much better than their record and I’m looking for them to come out and give the Packers all they want at Lambeau field.

 The NBC 7:20 ET night game is the 8-2 Eagles against the 5-5 LA Rams. The Rams have been on a hot streak and this game could be much closer than you’d expect – so set your ZapperBox on record and look for an upset here!

NCAA week 12 is almost here and the excitement builds as the college football playoff spots are on the line for many teams and conferences!

By Curt Schwaderer

11am ET on FOX features a Big XII match-up with Utah traveling to Boulder to meet the Colorado Buffaloes. Coach Prime’s team is alone in 2^nd place in the Big XII with just one loss and a win on Saturday gets them 1 game closer to the Big XII championship and a shot at a college football playoff spot. NBC at 2:30 pm ET on Saturday Virginia travels to #10 Notre Dame with playoff implications on the line. 6:30pm on NBC has #1 ranked Oregon putting their undefeated record on the line against the Wisconsin Badgers who are hungry for a marquee win. 7pm Saturday on FOX features what may be the “sneaky best” game of the weekend with a 2 loss Cincinnati team coming into Jack Trice Stadium to face the 2-loss Iowa State Cyclones who are looking to right the ship after starting a remarkable 7-0.

The NFL weekend features a 1pm ET game with the Packers at the Bears on FOX – it doesn’t get more iconic than those two teams battling each other! The 1pm ET game on CBS has the 7-3 Ravens going to the Steel City to play the 7-2 Steelers which could go a long way in deciding the conference champion. The best game of the weekend is on CBS at 4:25 ET where the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs will play in Buffalo to play the 8-2 Bills.

By Curt Schwaderer

Friday night at 8pm ET on FOX the Iowa Hawkeyes will visit UCLA. This match-up seemed like a sleeper a few weeks ago, but the Iowa offense has been transformed with Brendon Sullivan at QB and UCLA has been better with a big win over Nebraska last week.

Saturday at 2:30 ET the defending champion Michigan Wolverines roll into Indiana to play the surprising and undefeated Indiana Hoosiers. Many think Indiana is vulnerable and we’ll see if their high-powered offense can continue to put up enough points to beat Michigan.

The 3pm ET game on FOX features Big XII contenders Texas Tech coming off giving Iowa State their first defeat of the season against the 1 conference loss Colorado Buffaloes. Can Texas Tech continue their momentum or will they fade late against the Buffaloes?

The 6:30pm ET nightcap on NBC is a under-performing Florida State team against Notre Dame who is driving toward a CFP playoff spot. On ABC #11 Alabama will be taking on #14 LSU in a big SEC match-up.

Week 10 of NFL football 1pm ET on CBS features the 6-2 Pittsburgh Steelers  against the 7-2 Washington Red…I mean…Commanders. The Commanders have been special this year and it should be a great test for them this week. The 4:25 ET CBS game features a big conference match-up between the Eagles and the Cowboys. In what might be the best game of the weekend on Sunday 8:20PM ET on NBC the 7-1 Lions face the 6-3 Texans – both these teams are playing well and it’s shaping up to be a great game!

By Curt Schwaderer

The Dodgers lead the Yankees 3-0 and with 1 more win, they become World Series Champions! 

But never count out the Yankees – games 4 & 5 are in New York on October 29 & 30. At the time of this writing, it’s unclear whether games 6 & 7 will be necessary – but if they are – be sure to set your ZapperBox to record Friday and Saturday at 8pm eastern time on FOX.

If these games are played, you could be witness to one of the greatest comebacks in World Series history!

Week 10 of the NCAA football season kicks off on Saturday, November 2^nd at 11am ET on FOX when the #3 Penn State Nittany Lions host the #4 Ohio State Buckeyes in a Big 10 Championship elimination game. With an undefeated Oregon, neither team can afford a loss – especially Ohio State who has already lost to Oregon. The 11am ET game on ABC features an ACC clash between Duke and undefeated and #5 Miami. Can Miami continue it’s perfect season against the Blue Devils? The CBS 11am ET game features Air Force against an undefeated Army team.

The 2:30 ET game on CBS has #1 Oregon playing Michigan in the big House. Michigan’s season so far has been a bit lackluster after their National Championship year, but a win against #1 would go a long way to making it a great season for the Wolverines. Bit 12 title contender Kansas State plays at Houston at 2:30ET on FOX – Houston looks to build on the impressive win against Utah last week.

The 6:30pm ET night game on NBC features the Wisconsin Badgers against the Iowa Hawkeyes. Iowa’s offense looked better after changing quarterbacks last week, but it was against a hapless Northwestern team. This week’s match-up will reveal just how much better the Hawkeyes are offensively.

This week’s sports issue leads off with the World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees!

By Curt Schwaderer

This 100-year iconic match-up between baseball’s bluest of bloods promises to be as exciting as when names like DiMaggio, Rivera, and Jackson graced the game! The FOX lineup has all the games starting at 8pm ET on Friday, Saturday, Monday-Wednesday, Friday Nov 1 and Saturday Nov 2.

NCAA Football headliners feature #20 Illinois playing at #1 Oregon ad 2:30pm ET on CBS Saturday. We’ll find out if Illinois is for real if they can hang with the Ducks. Another great Big XII rivalry is at 2:30pm Saturday on FOX when the Texas Tech Red Raiders visit the TCU Horned Frogs just 2 years away from their National Championship appearance. NBC has a great night game at 6:30pm Saturday when #3 Penn State visits the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Can the Nittany Lions continue their march to the college football playoffs or can the Badgers derail their plans?

By Curt Schwaderer

Sports are in full swing with ZapperBox this time of year with playoff baseball, mid-season NCAA and NFL football, NBA pre-season, and media days for NCAA basketball season just around the corner! ZapperBox will be working overtime to provide you with the best sports of the season!

The baseball playoffs continue with possible game 5s Friday and Saturday on FOX as the Mets & Phillies, Padres & Dodgers, Tigers & Guardians, and Royals & Yankees square off to get to the division series.

College football continues with the biggest matchup of the weekend on ABC at 2:30 ET where #1 Texas plays Oklahoma in the Red River Shootout - what used to be a Big XII match-up is now an SEC match-up this year. At 3pm ET on FOX Saturday the surprisingly undefeated and 14th ranked BYU Cougars will play the Arizona Wildcats. Another key match0-up is at 6:30pm ET on NBC when the Ohio State Buckeyes face the Oregon Ducks. For me, the best match-up of the weekend is at 7pm on FOX Saturday when the 5-0 11th ranked Iowa State Cyclones travel to Morgantown to play a revived and ready West Virginia squad.

The action in the NFL continues Sunday with a noon ET matchup of the Washington Commanders playing the Baltimore Ravens in what could be a preview of a Super Bowl match-up - both teams are playing well and Washington has found their quarterback of the future.

About the Author: Curt Schwaderer is our resident ZapperBox Sports Enthusiast. He is responsible for all our backend, subscription, QA and Dolby software. 

You can reach Curt with comments and suggestions at support@zapperbox.com.  

Week 5 of college football kicks off on 7pm EST Friday night on FOX as the defending national runner-up Washington Huskies travels to the east coast to take on Rutgers.

By Curt Schwaderer

Saturday starts with a pair of 11am EST games. ABC has Kentucky at #6 Ole Miss. Minnesota will look to rebound from a home loss to Iowa as they play at Michigan. The games heat up at 2:30pm EST as Wisconsin visits USC on CBS and Oklahoma visits Auburn on ABC. Maybe the best game at 2:30 EST will be FOX where Colorado is traveling to Florida to play UCF in a Big XII conference match-up – both teams are 1-0 and looking to join the Big XII conference championship conversation.

Make sure you set your ZapperBox on ABC at 6:30pm EST Saturday when Georgia visits Alabama in what could be the best game of the season – or even a preview of what could be the national championship game.

The NFL week 4 schedule features a noon EST kickoff between two storied rivals on CBS as the 3-0 Vikings visit the 2-1 Green Bay Packers – if the Packers can win, it will throw the NFC north into chaos. The Vikings can put some distance between them and the rest of the division with a victory at Lambeau field.

The 3:25pm EST game on CBS is in a similar situation where the undefeated Chiefs visit the 2-1 Los Angeles Chargers.

The 7:20pm EST night game on NBC features a 3-0 Bills team at the 1-2 Ravens. People are thinking the Ravens are better than their record and the Bills are worse than their record, so don’t be surprised if the Ravens win this one.

By Curt Schwaderer

Major League Baseball playoffs are getting underway this week with the Division Series getting underway Saturday, October 5.

Game 1 between the NY Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies will be on FOX with 1^st pitch at 4:08 pm ET.

NCAA Football week 6 starts with Michigan State traveling to Eugene to take on the Oregon Ducks Friday at 9pm ET on FOX. Another full slate of game Saturday when UCLA plays Penn State and Missouri plays Texas A&M on ABC – both games are noon ET Saturday.

My “ZapperBox Must See Game of the Weekend” pick this week is at 7:30pm ET on FOX Saturday when the 16^th ranked Iowa State Cyclones take on the Baylor Bears at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa. Iowa State looks to start 5-0 for the first time since 1980 while Baylor will be desperate for a win after two close Big XII losses.

NFL week 5 on Sunday features the Ravens who have been rolling since their week 1 loss against the Bengals who have gotten off to a rough start this year, but looking better with a win last week. Sunday night old rivels reunite when the Dallas Cowboys take on the Pittsburgh Steelers at 8:20pm ET on NBC.

By Curt Schwaderer

Upcoming Sporting Events to Record this week are listed below. Use the search option on your ZapperBox to find more sporting events. Use keywords like Football, Sports, etc.

Saturday Night Football on ABC at 7:30pm Eastern.

Fox College Football during primetime on Fox.

Big Ten Saturday Night/Notre Dame Football on NBC7:30pm Eastern.

CW Sports Programming will feature college football games, with specific times varying by region.

There’s a full slate of college & NFL football this weekend and you won’t want to miss the key games that give the winners a leg up on the CFP and NFL playoff spots! Your ZapperBox is going to have a busy weekend recording a lot of early season games with big-time impact on the CFB playoff race. Here are some key games you won’t want to miss!

CBS features a Saturday 2:30pm central time kick with new Big Ten member USC visiting the Michigan Wolverines at the Big House in a classic match-up of new conference peers.

NBC kicks off Saturday 2:30pm central with the Fighting Irish looking for a win at home against Miami (Ohio). For all of you thinking this is going to be a cakewalk, reference Notre Dame’s stunning loss to Northern Illinois just 2 weeks ago.

The NBC 6:30 central game features the Iowa Hawkeyes as they look to get back the Floyd of Rosedale trophy when they visit the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

FOX might have the best lineup this weekend as they kick off Friday at 7pm central with a surprising 3-0 Illinois team going to Memorial Stadum to play also-undefeated Nebraska. The action on FOX continues Saturday as two preseason Big XII favorites Utah and Oklahoma State match-up in Stillwater with the winner having the inside track to the Big XII championship game. Then at 7pm Baylor takes on Coach Prime’s Colorado Buffalo team who is sure to be fired up after their in-state rival victory last week at Colorado State.

The CBS and FOX slate of NFL games vary by region and week 3 has a few interesting matchups if they are showing in your area:

Houston Texans have looked good, and they are playing at the Minnesota Vikings at noon central on CBS.

The Philadelphia Eagles are playing New Orleans at noon Sunday on Fox. New Orleans wasn’t expected to be great, but last week they thrashed the conference favorite Cowboys.

NBC will be showing the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs against the Atlanta Falcons who recently beat Philadelphia on Monday night. Kansas City is “one toe out-of-bounds” and a 54-yard field goal away from being 0-2, so it will be interesting to see if they can cruise to victory or be involved in another nail-biter.

Ps: I have been promising myself that I will start writing this newsletter as soon as I get settled in The Big Apple. This month, I moved into an apartment on the Lower East Side and hooked up my ZapperBox with a tiny 5” Chaowei indoor antenna that sells on Amazon for around $20. Lo and behold, I have 116 channels of free TV that include 8 channels in low VHF, 23 in high VHF, and 11 NEXTGEN TV channels. This is going to be fun!