Ellington

Barring no one else falling out of a window and being suspended for the Sugar Bowl, the UM Rebels should be in good shape to beat Oklahoma State. Rebel fans, keep your fingers crossed.

Thursday, Dec. 31

College football (3-7 p.m., ESPN): Watch the first semifinal of the College Football Playoffs between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Clemson Tigers ... College football (7-11 p.m., ESPN): Here's the second semifinal of the College Football Playoffs between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Michigan State Spartans.

Friday, Jan. 1

College football (7:30-11 p.m., ESPN): University of Mississippi looks to show up this year in the Sugar Bowl against Oklahoma State unlike its showing against TCU in last year's Peach Bowl.

Saturday, Jan. 2

College basketball (6-8 p.m., SECN): The UM Rebels can make a statement on the opening day of SEC play with a road win against the Kentucky Wildcats.

Sunday, Jan. 3

NFL (noon-3 p.m., FOX): Could this be the final game for both Drew Brees and Sean Payton as Saints as New Orleans hits the road to face arch-rival Atlanta Falcons?

Monday, Jan. 4

College basketball (7:30-10 p.m., ESPNU): Alcorn State hits the road in SWAC play to face Texas Southern.

Tuesday, Jan. 5

College basketball (8-10 p.m., ESPN): The Kentucky Wildcats hit the road in SEC play as the LSU Tigers get their chance at the top SEC team.

Wednesday, Jan. 6

College basketball (8-10 p.m., SECN): Mississippi State looks to get on a roll, and a home win against ranked 
Texas A&M is a great place to start.

The Rebels defense, even without Robert Nkemdiche, should be nearly unlike anything the Cowboys saw in the Big 12. My pick: Rebels 48, Cowboys 31.

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