Anshari Taslim
The sporting calendar for Friday, December 5th, is packed with significant matchups across college football, the NBA, and college basketball, highlighted by two pivotal college football conference championship games and a renewal of one of the NBA’s most storied rivalries. Beyond the on-field action, a unique coaching subplot in the American Conference Championship adds an intriguing layer, reminiscent of recent high-profile coaching carousel drama.
College Football: American Conference Championship – No. 24 North Texas vs. No. 20 Tulane
The American Athletic Conference (AAC) Championship Game presents a compelling narrative, not only for the title but also due to the circumstances surrounding the head coaches of the two competing teams. The No. 20 Tulane Green Wave (10-2) will host the No. 24 North Texas Mean Green (11-1) at Yulman Stadium in New Orleans, with both teams vying for a potential berth in the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff.
Adding a unique twist to this high-stakes contest is the fact that both head coaches have reportedly accepted new positions for the upcoming season but will coach their current teams in this championship game. Jon Sumrall, who has guided Tulane to a remarkable 10-2 record and a No. 20 ranking in the College Football Playoff, is set to become the head coach at Florida, where he has already secured the nation’s No. 15 recruiting class. Similarly, Eric Morris, who has led North Texas to an impressive 11-1 record and a No. 24 ranking, is reportedly moving on to Oklahoma State. This mirrors recent situations in college football, such as the widely discussed Lane Kiffin scenario, but with the notable distinction that both Sumrall and Morris have committed to finishing the season with their current squads. This commitment is particularly crucial as the winner of this AAC title game is widely projected to earn a spot in the lucrative 12-team playoff, representing the Group of Five conferences.
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North Texas enters the game boasting the nation’s most prolific offense. Led by quarterback Drew Mestemaker, the Mean Green lead the country in both points per game, averaging an astounding 46.8, and total yards per game, with 511.8. Mestemaker has been a dominant force this season, leading the FBS in passing yards with 3,835 and an exceptional 10.0 yards per attempt. This high-octane offense will face a challenging test against an improving Tulane defense. The Green Wave unit has shown significant resilience in recent weeks, allowing a combined total of just 13 points and 344 yards over their last two contests.
However, the statistical matchup favors North Texas’s aerial attack against Tulane’s pass defense. The Green Wave rank 117th nationally in pass defense, giving up an average of 251.9 yards per game through the air, and 93rd in pass efficiency defense with a rating of 139.3. They have allowed opposing quarterbacks to throw for over 300 yards five times this season, including in both of their losses to Ole Miss and UTSA. SportsLine expert Tom Fornelli notes, "This doesn’t strike me as a great matchup for Tulane. While North Texas was destroyed in its last spotlight game against USF, just about everything that could go wrong that night did go wrong." Despite Tulane’s home advantage, North Texas is a 2.5-point favorite. The SportsLine Projection Model indicates a 51.0% chance for the Mean Green to cover the spread, assigning a C grade to the North Texas -2.5 pick. The game is scheduled for 8 p.m. Eastern and will be broadcast on ABC.
College Football: Sun Belt Championship – Troy at No. 25 James Madison
Another significant college football championship game on Friday features Troy (8-4) traveling to Harrisonburg, Virginia, to face the No. 25 James Madison Dukes (11-1) in the Sun Belt Championship Game at 7 p.m. Eastern on ESPN. The Dukes find themselves in a unique position, with their College Football Playoff aspirations potentially hinging on an upset in another conference. James Madison will be keenly watching the ACC Championship Game, as a Duke Blue Devils upset over Virginia could open a path for the Dukes to claim a playoff spot as the top-ranked Group of Five champion.
James Madison has been one of the most surprising and dominant teams in college football this season, having not lost since a 28-14 defeat at Louisville in Week 2. Since then, the Dukes have rattled off a remarkable 10-game winning streak, during which they have outscored opponents by an average of 24.1 points per game. Their season-long statistics further underscore their dominance, with the Dukes ranking 10th in the country in both scoring offense (37.8 points per game) and scoring defense (16.0 points per game).
Troy, despite their 8-4 record, earned their spot in the championship through a strong finish to the season. Their chances against the formidable Dukes will largely depend on the performance of quarterback Goose Crowder, who has been in excellent form recently. Over his last two games, Crowder has completed 51 of 77 passes for 646 yards and seven touchdowns against just one interception, demonstrating his capability to lead the Trojans’ offense. However, facing a James Madison team that has consistently excelled on both sides of the ball presents a significant challenge. The SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates every game 10,000 times, gives Troy a 61.0% chance to cover the 23.5-point spread, assigning a B grade to Trojans +23.5.
NBA: Lakers at Celtics – A Classic Rivalry Rekindled
On the NBA hardwood, one of the league’s most historic rivalries takes center stage as the Los Angeles Lakers visit the Boston Celtics. While perhaps not carrying the same "Bird-versus-Magic" championship implications of decades past, the Lakers-Celtics matchup remains a marquee attraction and a highlight of the NBA schedule. The game is set for 7 p.m. Eastern on Prime Video, originating from Boston.
Both teams enter the contest having played on the previous night, making player availability a critical factor. Boston’s star wing Jaylen Brown notably missed his team’s recent victory over the Washington Wizards due to illness, and his status, along with that of other key players such as LeBron James for the Lakers and Jayson Tatum for the Celtics, will be closely monitored leading up to tip-off.
The game promises an offensive showcase, featuring two of the league’s most efficient offenses. The Celtics currently rank third in the NBA in points per 100 possessions, averaging 121.4, while the Lakers are not far behind, ranking sixth with 119.0 points per 100 possessions. This matchup will pit Boston’s dynamic perimeter scoring and balanced attack against Los Angeles’s interior presence and star power. The SportsLine Projection Model favors the Celtics, giving them a 61.0% chance to cover the 6.5-point spread, with a C grade assigned to Celtics -6.5.
NBA: Mavericks at Thunder – A Western Conference Clash
Later in the evening, at 9:30 p.m. Eastern on Prime Video, the Dallas Mavericks travel to Oklahoma City to face the Thunder in a Western Conference showdown. The Mavericks, led by superstar Luka Doncic, have shown strong form recently. Doncic, who has been instrumental in Dallas’s recent success, has been averaging an impressive 27.0 points and 7.3 rebounds per game over his last three outings, shooting a robust 59.3% from the field, leading the Mavericks to three consecutive victories.
However, Dallas faces a formidable challenge against the Oklahoma City Thunder, who have emerged as one of the league’s elite teams this season. The Thunder boast the No. 1-ranked defense in the league, allowing just 103.8 points per 100 possessions, complemented by a potent No. 5 offense, scoring 119.0 points per 100 possessions. Led by emerging MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and promising young talent like Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City’s balanced attack and suffocating defense have propelled them to a dominant start to the season. The SportsLine Projection Model anticipates a tough night for Dallas, giving the Thunder a 51.0% chance to cover the 15.5-point spread and assigning a C grade to Oklahoma City -15.5.
College Basketball: No. 11 Gonzaga at No. 18 Kentucky – Early Season Marquee Matchup
In college basketball, a significant early-season clash is set for 7 p.m. Eastern on ESPN2, as the No. 11 Gonzaga Bulldogs face the No. 18 Kentucky Wildcats in Nashville. This neutral-site game offers a crucial test for both programs as they navigate the non-conference portion of their schedules.
Gonzaga began their season with an impressive run of seven consecutive wins, including a notable 10-point victory over No. 8 Alabama at the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas. However, their dominant start was abruptly halted in the championship game of that tournament, where they suffered a decisive 101-61 loss to Michigan, a team that has since ascended to the No. 1 ranking nationally. Despite that setback, the Bulldogs maintain a strong national profile, ranking No. 5 in net rating (+29.28) according to KenPom.
Kentucky, meanwhile, is looking to prove itself against top-tier competition. The Wildcats enter this game with a 0-3 record against ranked opponents this season, highlighting a potential area of concern for coach John Calipari’s squad. This matchup provides another opportunity for Kentucky to secure a signature win against a highly-regarded program. The SportsLine Projection Model gives Kentucky a 71.0% chance to cover the 4.5-point spread, assigning a B grade to Wildcats +4.5. Expert Matt Severance also concurs, picking Kentucky +5.5.
Looking Ahead: College Football – No. 1 Ohio State vs. No. 2 Indiana
Looking ahead to Saturday, December 6th, the college football landscape will feature the Big Ten Championship Game, a monumental clash between the undefeated No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes (12-0) and the equally undefeated No. 2 Indiana Hoosiers (12-0). This pivotal matchup, scheduled for 8 p.m. Eastern on FOX at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, carries immense implications. The Big Ten title, an undefeated season, the No. 1 overall seed in the College Football Playoff, and potentially the Heisman Trophy will all be on the line.
The Ohio State Buckeyes have enjoyed a dominant season, with all but one of their 12 victories coming by more than seven points, showcasing their consistent superiority. Their defense has been particularly stifling, leading the country in both points allowed per game (7.8) and passing yards allowed per game (121.3). On the offensive side, star players like Marvin Harrison Jr. have been instrumental in their success.
The Indiana Hoosiers, in a surprising turn of events, have navigated their schedule flawlessly to reach the championship game with an unblemished 12-0 record. Their games have typically been decided by comfortable margins, with only two contests being decided by a single score throughout the season. Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza has emerged as a slight favorite in the Heisman Trophy race, a testament to his exceptional performance. However, Mendoza faces his toughest challenge yet against Ohio State’s top-ranked defense. SportsLine expert Emory Hunt agrees with the model’s projection for Ohio State, stating, "The problem is that I don’t think the Hoosiers can find enough points to successfully cover this spread. Ohio State’s passing offense is going to be the reason why they are able to get to cover town [against] Indiana." The SportsLine Projection Model gives the Buckeyes a 52.0% chance to cover the 4-point spread, assigning a C grade to Ohio State -4.
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