KSR Today: Merry Christmas Eve, Big Blue Nation!

It’s a gameday for the Fat Man. The Big Blue Nation awakes on Christmas Eve with a buzz in the air. The months-long anticipation has been building and building. The wait is almost over. Before homes welcome Santa Claus, a day of celebration is at hand. It’s the most wonderful time of the year, a day full of tradition that personally wraps me in a warm blanket of nostalgia.

Each family celebrates the holiday season differently. In the Roush house Christmas Eve always served as the biggest celebration of the year. Yes, opening presents on Christmas morning is great, but the buzz entering the night served as an exponentially much exciting event.

Our family played host for a party that rolled about 30 deep. My mother spent the morning laboring in the kitchen while we got out of the way. One year I remember my Dad taking us to swim at the YMCA’s indoor pool just so we wouldn’t mess anything up. As we got older, we assisted in the cleaning and prep. It was a busy day that never had enough time, especially once my sisters were forcibly coerced to getting dressed for church.

The fight to go to church wasn’t as much of a fight as a normal Sunday. The decorations filling the church served as a distraction, while the familiar music entranced us for a little more than an hour. By the time Saturday afternoon mass ended, it was dark outside, welcoming the Christmas spirit into our home.

The 18-hour sprint from Christmas eve through Christmas morning is always a blur. Whether you’re a kid sweating through pajamas while chasing cousins, or a parent chasing down a couple of kids after knocking back a few too many Old Foresters, there is nothing like it.

Cherish every moment this Christmas Eve, Big Blue Nation.

NFL on Christmas Eve

One other tradition I failed to mention. Every year Oscar Brohm’s arrival was shortly followed by the question, “Where’s the remote?” We had to have the Hawaii Bowl on because why wouldn’t we have football on television?

This year the football is getting cranked up a notch or two or ten. We don’t have the Hawaii Bowl on Christmas Eve, but a full NFL Sunday slate is on deck. The Bengals took an L on Saturday and their playoff chances took an even bigger hit after the Bills held on to beat the Chargers. Today the NFL playoff picture becomes even clearer.

Colts (+2.5) at Falcons, 1 pm, Fox
Seahawks (-3) at Titans, 1 pm, CBS
Lions (-3) at Vikings, 1 pm , Fox
Commanders (+3) at Jets, 1 pm, CBS
Packers (-4) at Panthers, 1 pm, Fox
Browns (-3) at Texans, 1 pm, CBS
Jaguars (+1) at Bucs, 4:05, CBS
Cardinals (+4) at Bears, 4:25, Fox
Cowboys (+2.5) at Dolphins, 4:25, Fox
Patriots (+7.5) at Broncos, 8:15, NFL Network

Bad Day to be a Titans Fan

Cheering for teams in the state of Tennessee is bad for your health. It’s science. That’s particularly been the case for Titans fans this fall, with one exception. Will Levis has served as the lone bright spot, providing optimism for a fanbase that’s spent years searching for a franchise quarterback. Unfortunately, the ankle sprain he suffered in overtime of last Sunday’s loss vs. Houston will keep him out of today’s game, reports Ian Rapoport. Ryan Tannehill will start in Levis’ place. Good luck with that.

FAU Stuns Arizona

Dusty May is proving that last year was no fluke for Florida Atlantic. The Owls went to the desert and took down No. 4 Arizona in Las Vegas. Johnell Davis scored 35 points and grabbed nine rebounds to propel Florida Atlantic to a 96-95 victory in double overtime. The Arizona win improves a resume that already includes victories over Texas A&M, Butler and Virginia Tech. It’s Arizona’s second loss in the last week.

Elsewhere, Rick Pitino put UConn on the ropes in Hartford, but the Johnnies could not come away with an upset. With Dononvan Clingan on the sideline, the Huskies survived their Big East opener by defeating St. John’s 69-65. Elsewhere around college basketball, Memphis held on to beat Vanderbilt 77-75 and Ole Miss routed Southern Miss by a score of 89-72.

Kentucky is a Finalist for VJ Edgecombe

It’s safe to say that John Calipari got his recruiting swagger back. After inking an outstanding recruiting class in 2023, he’s reloading in 2024. VJ Edgecombe might be the next one up.

During the City of Palms Classic on ESPNU, Paul Biancardi revealed Edgecombe is down to just five schools: Kentucky, Duke, Baylor, Florida, and St. John’s. The fifth-ranked prospect in America teased a decision coming soon.

One of the most prestigious holiday hoops tournaments in the country, Edgecombe’s Lutheran High made it to Saturday night’s final before falling to Montverde. Cooper Flagg could not be contained in the 73-59 win. Edgecombe scored a team-high 20 points and grabbed seven rebounds.