Disney shutting down ESPN channel on Jan. 1

Disney is turning the lights off at ESPN Classic after Jan. 1, 2022, according to a report from Sports Business Journal. Disney, ESPN’s parent company, has reportedly started telling cable and satellite distributors to prepare for the disappearance of the channel next year.

The ESPN Classic channel was originally the Classic Sports Network, established in 1995, before ESPN purchased it in 1997.

ESPN Classic, as the name suggests, runs footage of old games for the nostalgic fans. However, video platforms such as Youtube have nullified the need for the channel.

ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPNews are all part of most basic cable packages but ESPN Classic is typically an on-demand product these days.

The classic channel is not the only sports channel shutting down in 2022. NBC is also dismantling the NBC Sports Network on New Year’s Eve.

Best Week 10 Games

It’s November and we’re in week 10 of the college football season, which means the stretch run begins this weekend.

The games this week aren’t as good as last week’s, but there still are matchups that will help determine division races/league races in the Big Ten, Big 12, SEC and Mountain West.

Here are the three best games of Week 10. All games are Saturday, and all times are Eastern.

Auburn (6-2) at Texas A&M (6-2)

Time/TV: 3:30 p.m., CBS
The buzz: Both are alive in the SEC West race, but Auburn (3-1 in the league) is in better shape than A&M, which has two division losses. Auburn actually is tied with Alabama in the loss column. The Tigers are coming off maybe their best win of the season, a 31-20 victory over Ole Miss in which Auburn both ran effectively and stymied Ole Miss’ rushing attack.

Michigan State (8-0) at Purdue (5-3)

Time/TV: 3:30 p.m., ABC
The buzz: The Spartans are coming off an emotional victory over Michigan and need to guard against a big letdown. Purdue, which upset then-No. 2 Iowa a few weeks ago, is solid defensively, and only Wisconsin has been effective on the ground against the Boilermakers. Can Purdue slow Michigan State RB Kenneth Walker III?

Oklahoma State (7-1) at West Virginia (4-4)

Time/TV: 3:30 p.m., ESPN
The buzz: WVU looked dead in the water, but has won two in a row and is coming off a home upset of Iowa State that basically eliminated the Cyclones from Big 12 title competition. Iowa State beat Oklahoma State two weeks ago, and another Cowboys loss might basically eliminate them from the league race, too.