The college football bowl season starts this weekend. It leads up to the first ever college-football playoff and on Jan. 12, the national championship game.

Thursday, Dec 18

College basketball (7-9 p.m., SECN): The Ole Miss Rebels face a tough Coastal Carolina team in a nonconference test as the conference slate approaches.

Friday, Dec 19

NBA (7-9:30 p.m., ESPN): The defending champion San Antonio Spurs host the Portland Trail Blazers, who currently sit above the Spurs in the standings.

Saturday, Dec 20

College football (2:30-6 p.m., ABC): When five bowl games kick off the bowl season, the best game could be Colorado State out of the Mountain West against Utah out of the Pac-12.

Sunday, Dec 21

NFL (12-3:30 p.m., Fox): The New Orleans Saints look to keep their playoff hopes alive against their biggest rival the Atlanta Falcons.

Monday, Dec 22

NFL (7:30-11 p.m., ESPN): The Cincinnati Bengals host the Denver Broncos in a game that could have big playoff implications for the AFC.

Tuesday, Dec 23

College football (5-8:30 p.m., ESPN): Two of the best mid-major programs collide in a bowl game as Northern Illinois out of the MAC takes on Marshall out of C-USA.

Wednesday, Dec 24

College football (7-10:30 p.m., ESPN): Settle in with some football as you get ready to leave out milk and cookies for Santa as Fresno State out of the Mountain West faces Rice out of C-USA.

The first SEC bowl game is after Christmas when South Carolina faces Miami in the Independence Bowl.