Lows in the 30s. Windchills. Rain turning to snow.
This is hibernation/watching-sports-in-your-pajamas season.
Plenty of college football games can occupy the time indoors. Saturday could help sort out the bowl picture for the Big Ten teams.
The Blackhawks are on a roll. Despite reason for concern, the Bears are still in first place in the NFC North.
And maybe you missed it in all this hubbub, but many college basketball teams are tipping off their seasons this weekend.
Friday
DON’T MISS THIS
St. Louis at Blackhawks, 7:30 p.m., CSN
New Hawks coach Joel Quenneville has more victories than any other coach in Blues history.
APPOINTMENT TV
UIC at Bradley, 7 p.m., Lakeshore Public TV
The Flames open their season in Peoria against Bradley. If you pay attention to the Horizon League, you will be talking about Josh Mayo all season.
SET THE DVR
Nuggets at Celtics, 7 p.m., ESPN
The Celtics breezed through a five-game week thanks to depth. The injury-riddled Nuggets, who waived Antonio McDyess and traded Allen Iverson, are as shallow as a wading pool.
PICTURE-IN-PICTURE
Notre Dame vs. South Florida, 6:30 p.m., CBS College Sports
If the Irish and Blue Demons (4 p.m. vs. St. John’s, CBSCS) win, it sets up a Big East soccer title match at 11 a.m. Sunday.
GET OFF THE COUCH
Marist (9-2) at Mt. Carmel (9-2), 7 p.m., high school football playoffs
Marist stunned the high school football world with a 28-25 upset of top-seeded Naperville North in overtime. Mt. Carmel has a history of victory, going for its 11th state title, which is only three wins away now.
Saturday
DON’T MISS THIS
Ohio State at Illinois, 11 a.m., ESPN
Remember the Orange running onto Ohio State’s field after unseating the top-ranked Buckeyes last season? Well, how could Ohio State forget? The Illini need this one to become bowl-eligible, but No. 10 Ohio State is playing for something too — a BCS bowl berth.
APPOINTMENT TV
Notre Dame vs. Navy, 11 a.m., WBBM-Ch. 2
Irish fans are starting to get restless, which is bad news for Charlie Weis. A second straight loss to Navy, which snapped an NCAA-record 43-game losing streak in triple OT last season, will turn their grumbles into growls.
Pacers at Bulls, 7:30 p.m., WGN-Ch. 9
Do the Bulls compete in mixed martial arts or basketball? The black-and-blue Bulls are bracing for a long stretch without Kirk Hinrich.
PICTURE-IN-PICTURE
Northwestern at Michigan, 11 a.m., ESPN2
Wildcats coach Pat Fitzgerald has reminded everyone as often as he can: Michigan is playing its best football. It’s Northwestern’s job to make the Wolverines turn back into the pumpkin that lost five in a row.
New York Red Bulls at Real Salt Lake, 8:30 p.m., FSC
The Western Conference champion advances to the MLS final to face the Columbus Crew in the title game.
SET THE DVR
Texas at Kansas, 11:30 a.m., CSN
The No. 3 Longhorns approach their trip to Lawrence with BCS hopes, but they need some help to make it to the Big 12 title game or to a BCS bowl.
Mississippi State at Alabama, 6:45 p.m., ESPN
Finally, a team that admits it’s hungry for revenge. The Crimson Tide has a chance to get back at Mississippi State for consecutive defeats. Talk about thanksgiving.
GET OFF THE COUCH
Carmel (10-1) at Geneva (11-0), high school football playoffs, 1:30 p.m.
Both state powers have great rushing attacks. Geneva RB Michael Ratay can keep a stellar season going. In 11 games, he has run for 2,424 yards and scored 40 touchdowns.
Sunday
DON’T MISS THIS
Bears at Packers, noon, WFLD-Ch. 32
Will Kyle Orton return for his first start at Lambeau Field? If the Bears defense doesn’t make an impact, will it even matter?
APPOINTMENT TV
San Jose at Blackhawks, 6 p.m., CSN
The Blackhawks can make a statement against the Western Conference’s top team.
Cowboys at Redskins, 7:15 p.m., WMAQ-Ch. 5
Cowboys QB Tony Romo returns to the lineup in a crucial NFC East meeting, but Redskins RB Clinton Portis is likely out.
PICTURE-IN-PICTURE
Notre Dame at LSU, 1:30 p.m., ESPN2
There’s no easing into it for the Irish women. No. 16 Notre Dame starts with No. 24 LSU in the State Farm Tip-Off Classic.
SET THE DVR
Sprint Cup Ford 400, 2:45 p.m.,WLS-Ch. 7
That’s Jimmie with an “i-e.” Engrave Johnson’s trophy already. He needs to finish only 36th or better to win his record-tying third consecutive Cup championship.
Idaho at Michigan State, 5 p.m., BTN
The Spartans men’s basketball team could be Final Four-bound. This is where it starts.
