Saturday, December 20, offers a loaded schedule, featuring exciting matchups in both college football and the NFL. The College Football Playoff has three first-round games: Miami visits Texas A&M, with the winner facing Ohio State; Ole Miss hosts Tulane, with the victor playing Georgia State; and James Madison takes on Oregon State, with the winner advancing to meet Texas Tech. The Miami vs. Texas A&M game stands out, especially since both teams previously played and narrowly defeated Notre Dame this season. Upsets are tempting, but with Tulane and James Madison both losing their head coaches and entering as slight underdogs, such surprises may be unlikely.
In the NFL, playoff positioning heats up with two key games. The Philadelphia Eagles can secure a playoff spot by beating the Washington Commanders, who will be without Jaden Daniels for the season. Meanwhile, the NFC North rivalry between the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears will determine the division leader as they head into the final stretch of the regular season. College games start at noon, while NFL action begins at 5 p.m. ET. Fans can also catch NBA, NHL, and college basketball games throughout the day.
Here’s a look at the key games and betting insights:
College Football:
– Miami vs. Texas A&M (12 p.m. | College Station, TX | ABC | Fubo TV) – SportsLine favors Texas A&M by 3 points; expert Matt Severance backs Miami +3.5, praising their talent but noting coaching challenges.
– Tulane vs. Ole Miss (3:30 p.m. | Oxford, MS | TNT/True TV | Fubo TV) – Ole Miss, heavy favorites by 17.5 points, are navigating a coaching change with Pete Golding as interim head coach. SportsLine models expect the favorite to cover the spread.
– James Madison vs. Oregon State (7:30 p.m. | Eugene, OR | TNT/True TV | Fubo TV) – James Madison is a big underdog (+20.5), but the model predicts they will cover, even amid coaching changes and adversity.
NFL:
– Eagles at Commanders (5 p.m. | Washington, DC | Fox | Fubo TV) – The Eagles aim to clinch the NFC East, but the Commanders are undermanned. SportsLine suggests backing Washington moneyline for value, and expert RJ White recommends a prop on Jalen Hurts scoring a touchdown.
– Packers vs. Bears (8:20 p.m. | Chicago | Fox | Fubo TV) – With the NFC North crown on the line, the Packers are slight favorites (-102). Expert Mike Tierney expects a low-scoring game due to weather and injuries.
NBA:
– Lakers vs. Clippers (10:30 p.m. | Los Angeles | NBA TV | Fubo TV) – The Lakers, dominant this season, face a struggling Clippers team. Surprisingly, SportsLine favors an upset by the Clippers despite their poor record.
Fan Take: This packed Saturday slate shows the intensity of playoffs across college and pro football, with stakes high for every team. For basketball fans, the surprising Clippers’ potential win against the Lakers signals the unpredictability and excitement that keep the sport thrilling, no matter the standings.
