Saturday, October 24 is one of the busiest sports days of the year. College football Week 8 runs from noon until past midnight, the WNBA Finals reach Game 4, the World Series plays Game 2, and the NBA and NHL both have full slates under all of it. All times below are Eastern. Every matchup links to its MyGameSim prediction.
If you are holding one remote, this is the path:
- Noon: Indiana at Michigan on FOX. Keep Pittsburgh at Miami on ESPN as the other noon priority, and LSU at Auburn on ABC if you want the game the simulation sees as a home rout.
- 1 p.m.: Go to NBC for WNBA Finals Game 4. Atlanta leads Golden State 2-1.
- 3:30 p.m.: Texas A&M at Alabama on ABC, with BYU at UCF on FOX. Tennessee at South Carolina on ESPN is the afternoon spot where MyGameSim likes the home team against a ranked visitor.
- 7:30 p.m.: Start with Ole Miss at Texas on ABC, then move to FOX at 8 p.m. for World Series Game 2. Bucks at 76ers is the national NBA game on NBA TV if you want basketball through the first inning.
- 10 p.m.: Warriors at Suns on NBA TV, then Houston at Utah on ESPN at 10:15.
Noon: the first college football wave
Nine FBS games kick at noon, and three of them are on broadcast television. Indiana at Michigan on FOX is the cleanest single pick: the Hoosiers are ranked No. 6, and MyGameSim has Indiana winning 75% of simulations, 29.1-21.1. Miami is No. 1 and a heavy home favorite on ESPN against Pittsburgh. On ABC, the simulation is even louder for Auburn against No. 18 LSU, a 38.7-19.9 home lean.
| Game | Watch | MyGameSim |
|---|---|---|
| No. 6 Indiana at Michigan | FOX | Indiana in 75% of sims, 29.1-21.1 |
| Pittsburgh at No. 1 Miami | ESPN | Miami in 92% of sims, 42.6-26.7 |
| No. 18 LSU at Auburn | ABC | Auburn in 91% of sims, 38.7-19.9 |
| No. 8 Texas Tech at Cincinnati | FS1 | Cincinnati in 53% of sims, 32.7-31.3 |
| Cal at No. 23 SMU | The CW | SMU in 84% of sims, 36.6-23.6 |
| Rutgers at No. 24 Northwestern | Peacock | Northwestern in 84% of sims, 36.7-25.7 |
| West Virginia at TCU | ESPN2 | TCU in 79% of sims, 35.4-27.1 |
| Rice at Florida Atlantic | ESPNU | FAU in 65% of sims, 26.5-22.9 |
| Western Michigan at Toledo | CBSSN | Toledo in 80% of sims, 29.1-20.1 |
12:30 p.m.: WNBA Showtime, then Game 4 at 1
This is the hour to change the channel. NBC and Peacock open WNBA Finals coverage at 12:30 p.m. with WNBA Showtime, and Game 4 tips at 1 p.m. from State Farm Arena. Golden State visits Atlanta with the Dream up 2-1. Golden State took Game 1, 68-64. Atlanta answered 79-65 in Game 2 and 97-71 in Game 3. A Dream win Saturday makes it 3-1. MyGameSim has Atlanta in 66% of simulations, 85.3-78.9.
The noon football games will still be in the second quarter. Leave one of those on a second screen, and put the Finals on the main TV.
| Game | Watch | MyGameSim |
|---|---|---|
| WNBA Finals Game 4: Valkyries at Dream | NBC, Peacock (coverage from 12:30) | Atlanta in 66% of sims, 85.3-78.9 |
| Ducks at Flyers | NHL Network, Prime Video | Anaheim in 56% of sims, 2.5-2.2 |
| Baylor at Kansas | TNT | Kansas in 58% of sims, 25.7-23.1 |
| Miami (Ohio) at Central Michigan | ESPN+ | Central Michigan in 60% of sims, 19.8-16.4 |
| Akron at Kent State | ESPN+ | Kent State in 67% of sims, 22.6-17.2 |
3 p.m.: Oregon at Illinois before the big window
Big Ten Network has a one-game head start. Oregon at Illinois is the game to have on before 3:30, and the simulation agrees: Oregon in 85% of sims, 33.3-20.2.
3:30 p.m.: the college football main event
This is the deepest window of the day. Watch Texas A&M at No. 13 Alabama on ABC if you want the game MyGameSim trusts most: Alabama in 96% of simulations, 39.5-16.7. No. 2 BYU at UCF on FOX is the other national broadcast, with BYU in 65% of sims. On ESPN, No. 11 Tennessee at South Carolina is the interesting lean the other way: South Carolina in 68% of sims, 33.3-26.8.
Hockey joins at the same time. Kings at Devils is the national-interest NHL game of the afternoon, on MSG Sportsnet and Alberta TV, with the Devils in 56% of sims.
| Game | Watch | MyGameSim |
|---|---|---|
| Texas A&M at No. 13 Alabama | ABC | Alabama in 96% of sims, 39.5-16.7 |
| No. 2 BYU at UCF | FOX | BYU in 65% of sims, 27.0-22.5 |
| No. 11 Tennessee at South Carolina | ESPN | South Carolina in 68% of sims, 33.3-26.8 |
| Michigan State at No. 9 UCLA | CBS | UCLA in 86% of sims, 29.7-15.7 |
| No. 15 Iowa at Minnesota | FS1 | Iowa in 69% of sims, 29.9-22.5 |
| Oklahoma at Mississippi State | SEC Network | Mississippi State in 58% of sims, 25.5-23.1 |
| Boston College at Georgia Tech | ACC Network | Georgia Tech in 56% of sims, 25.4-23.5 |
| North Texas at Navy | CBSSN | North Texas in 87% of sims, 36.8-23.1 |
| Hawaii at Northern Illinois | MW+ | Northern Illinois in 58% of sims, 23.5-21.2 |
| Bowling Green at Buffalo | ESPN+ | Buffalo in 52% of sims, 22.3-21.3 |
| Sacramento State at Ball State | ESPN+ | Ball State in 92% of sims, 27.8-10.5 |
| Kings at Devils | MSG Sportsnet, Sportsnet | New Jersey in 56% of sims, 4.3-3.7 |
3:45 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Kansas State at Arizona State on ESPN2 is the add-on if Alabama and BYU are not the games you wanted. It is close: Kansas State in 57% of sims, 29.7-26.9. At 4 p.m., Eastern Michigan at Ohio on ESPNU is a coin flip, and Troy is a heavy home favorite against UL Monroe on ESPN+.
| Game | Watch | MyGameSim |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas State at Arizona State (3:45) | ESPN2 | Kansas State in 57% of sims, 29.7-26.9 |
| Eastern Michigan at Ohio (4:00) | ESPNU | Eastern Michigan in 53% of sims, 26.6-25.6 |
| UL Monroe at Troy (4:00) | ESPN+ | Troy in 92% of sims, 36.4-18.8 |
5 p.m.
The national windows are still occupied by the 3:30 games. The new kicks are on ESPN+ and the Mountain West stream. San Jose State at Nevada is the one worth a click if you want a fresh game: San Jose State in 76% of sims, 30.2-18.5.
| Game | Watch | MyGameSim |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose State at Nevada | MW+ | San Jose State in 76% of sims, 30.2-18.5 |
| Louisiana at Southern Miss | ESPN+ | Southern Miss in 70% of sims, 31.0-25.0 |
| Old Dominion at Louisiana Tech | ESPN+ | Louisiana Tech in 71% of sims, 22.5-16.6 |
6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
The NBA starts, and two more college games land before the prime-time pileup. If you are done with the 3:30 window, put on No. 21 Boise State at Washington State at 6 p.m. on USA Network. MyGameSim has Boise State in 71% of sims, 29.0-22.0. The Heat at the Hornets is the first NBA tip, on local TV and NBA League Pass outside those markets. Charlotte is a slight home lean, 57% of sims.
| Game | Watch | MyGameSim |
|---|---|---|
| No. 21 Boise State at Washington State (6:00) | USA Network | Boise State in 71% of sims, 29.0-22.0 |
| Heat at Hornets (6:00) | Local, NBA League Pass | Charlotte in 57% of sims, 108.6-105.2 |
| San Diego State at Colorado State (6:30) | The CW | Colorado State in 66% of sims, 30.9-25.3 |
7 p.m.: hockey's national wave, plus three football games
Seven NHL games drop at 7 p.m. The one on national U.S. television is Rangers at Senators on NHL Network, a narrow Rangers lean. The best hockey watch in the bunch is Sharks at Bruins: Boston in 71% of sims, 4.4-2.9, on NESN and NBC Sports California. In Canada, Maple Leafs at Oilers is the Sportsnet game, and the simulation has it basically even.
On the football side, Virginia Tech at Clemson on ESPN is the 7 p.m. game to keep. Clemson in 64% of sims, 28.6-24.7. Colorado at Oklahoma State on FS1 is a stronger home lean if you want a blowout watch.
| Game | Watch | MyGameSim |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Tech at Clemson | ESPN | Clemson in 64% of sims, 28.6-24.7 |
| Colorado at Oklahoma State | FS1 | Oklahoma State in 87% of sims, 40.6-25.2 |
| Georgia State at Arkansas State | ESPN+ | Georgia State in 73% of sims, 36.9-29.0 |
| Sharks at Bruins | NESN, NBC Sports California | Boston in 71% of sims, 4.4-2.9 |
| Rangers at Senators | NHL Network, MSG | Rangers in 55% of sims, 3.2-3.0 |
| Golden Knights at Blue Jackets | Local (Scripps, Blue Jackets channels) | Vegas in 70% of sims, 4.9-3.4 |
| Sabres at Capitals | Monumental, MSG Buffalo | Washington in 64% of sims, 4.0-3.1 |
| Maple Leafs at Oilers | Sportsnet | Toronto in 51% of sims, 3.9-3.7 |
| Hurricanes at Blues | Local | St. Louis in 51% of sims, 4.1-4.0 |
| Predators at Penguins | SportsNet Pittsburgh, Scripps | Pittsburgh in 51% of sims, 3.1-3.1 |
7:30 p.m.: prime-time football and the first national NBA game
Stay on ABC. No. 7 Ole Miss at No. 19 Texas is the prime-time college game, and MyGameSim leans toward the home Longhorns, 63% of sims, 29.8-26.1. No. 16 USC at Wisconsin on NBC is much tighter, with Wisconsin in 55% of sims, so that is the game if you want a ranked road team in a fight. Vanderbilt at No. 12 Kentucky on SEC Network is the cleaner favorite: Kentucky in 82% of sims.
Basketball's national window opens here too. Bucks at 76ers is on NBA TV, and Milwaukee is the simulation favorite, 76% of sims, 112.1-100.5. Nets at Cavaliers is League Pass and local TV, with Cleveland in 70% of sims.
| Game | Watch | MyGameSim |
|---|---|---|
| No. 7 Ole Miss at No. 19 Texas | ABC | Texas in 63% of sims, 29.8-26.1 |
| No. 16 USC at Wisconsin | NBC, Peacock | Wisconsin in 55% of sims, 28.5-26.9 |
| Vanderbilt at No. 12 Kentucky | SEC Network | Kentucky in 82% of sims, 31.8-20.5 |
| Iowa State at No. 25 Arizona | ESPN2 | Arizona in 69% of sims, 30.0-24.9 |
| Syracuse at North Carolina | ACC Network | North Carolina in 83% of sims, 28.5-17.5 |
| Utah State at Texas State | CBSSN | Texas State in 98% of sims, 46.5-16.8 |
| Bucks at 76ers | NBA TV | Milwaukee in 76% of sims, 112.1-100.5 |
| Nets at Cavaliers | Local, NBA League Pass | Cleveland in 70% of sims, 110.7-101.8 |
8 p.m.: World Series Game 2
Move to FOX. The Rays visit the Brewers at American Family Field, first pitch at 8 p.m. on FOX, FOX One, and FOX Deportes. Milwaukee leads the series 1-0 after a 3-2 win in Game 1. The current MyGameSim run has Game 2 dead even, 50% each way, with Tampa Bay at 3.8 runs and Milwaukee at 3.6. Open the prediction again closer to first pitch so you are looking at the latest run.
If baseball is on the main set, the basketball undercard is Wizards at Bulls and Spurs at Mavericks, both League Pass outside the local markets. Washington is the stronger lean of the two. UTSA at Tulane is the college game still kicking off, on ESPNU.
| Game | Watch | MyGameSim |
|---|---|---|
| World Series Game 2: Rays at Brewers | FOX, FOX One, FOX Deportes | Split, Rays 3.8 and Brewers 3.6 |
| Wizards at Bulls | Local, NBA League Pass | Washington in 78% of sims, 111.2-99.1 |
| Spurs at Mavericks | Local, NBA League Pass | San Antonio in 51% of sims, 108.3-107.4 |
| UTSA at Tulane | ESPNU | UTSA in 66% of sims, 29.6-24.3 |
8:30 p.m.: the Hawks, in the same building as the Finals
State Farm Arena does a doubleheader. After the Dream host Game 4 this afternoon, the Hawks play their home opener against the Rockets at 8:30 p.m. The NBA start was moved back from 8 p.m. so the building could turn over. It is on local TV in Houston and Atlanta, and on NBA League Pass everywhere else. MyGameSim has Houston in 57% of sims, 116.4-113.7. Rockets at Hawks prediction.
9 p.m.
Two games, two sports. Pelicans at Nuggets is the NBA choice, a small New Orleans lean on League Pass. Lightning at Utah is the hockey game, on Mammoth+ and Utah 16, with Tampa Bay in 55% of sims.
| Game | Watch | MyGameSim |
|---|---|---|
| Pelicans at Nuggets | Local, NBA League Pass | New Orleans in 59% of sims, 109.0-105.3 |
| Lightning at Mammoth | Mammoth+, Utah 16 | Tampa Bay in 55% of sims, 4.7-4.2 |
10 p.m. and 10:15 p.m.: the West Coast finish
NBA TV's late game is the one to land on: Warriors at Suns, with Phoenix in 65% of sims, 110.9-103.9. At 10:15, ESPN has the last ranked college game, No. 14 Houston at No. 10 Utah. MyGameSim gives Houston the slight edge, 59% of sims, 33.8-30.5, which makes it a better late watch than the scoreboard suggests. The CW has North Dakota State at New Mexico at 10, and the last two NHL games are Red Wings at Flames (Sportsnet in
