Is the College Football Playoff Championship Game where the SEC "Empire Strikes Back"? Or will Clemson continue its rise to the top of the sport over Alabama?

Thursday, Jan. 7

College basketball (7:30-10 p.m., SECN): The No. 7 Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs look to continue their nine-win streak in SEC play at home against Auburn.

Friday, Jan. 8

NBA (7-9:30 p.m., ESPN): LeBron James leads the top team in the East, the Cleveland Cavaliers, on the road against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Saturday, Jan. 9

NFL (3:35-7 p.m., ABC/ESPN): The Houston Texans host the Kansas City Chiefs in the opening wildcard game. ... NFL (7:15-11 p.m., CBS): The Cincinnati Bengals take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Saturday wildcard nightcap.

Sunday, Jan. 10

NFL (12:05-3:30 p.m., NBC): The Seattle Seahawks begin their trip back to the Super Bowl against the Minnesota Vikings. ... NFL (3:40-7 p.m., Fox): Washington tries to advance at home against the Green Bay Packers.

Monday, Jan. 11

College football (7:30-11 p.m., ESPN): Watch the final college football game that counts until next September, as the Clemson Tigers and the Alabama Crimson Tide play for the national championship.

Tuesday, Jan. 12

College basketball (6-8 p.m., ESPN): Malik Newman and the Mississippi State Bulldogs try to pull off the road upset against the Kentucky Wildcats.

Wednesday, Jan. 13

College basketball (8-10 p.m., ESPN2): The University of Mississippi looks to continue its strong start to the season on the road against the LSU Tigers.

Alabama is 12-3 against Clemson all-time in football matchups. The Tigers' last win came in 1905, and the Tide has won 12 straight meetings, including the last one in 2008.

Follow Bryan Flynn at jfpsports.com, @jfpsports and at facebook.com/jfpsports.