What 2 Watch
It’s time for the first ever The Sport Addiction What 2 Watch Blog where I show you the options for this weekend in sports. It will include every major event in sports as well as the games that you can’t miss in the big 4 and some other interesting views. Every Friday I will post the What 2 Watch so that my readers can figure out what they want to watch every weekend. This week we have UFC Fight Night in New Orleans featuring Jake Shields vs. Jake Ellenberger. Another big even is the continuation of Team Canada’s run in the Rugby World Cup. There are a number of interesting football games to watch not only in the NFL and CFL but in the CIS and NCAA. Of course we can’t keep out the Blue Jays playing spoiler in New York and NASCAR continuing the Sprint Cup with the Geico 400. There is plenty to watch this weekend so get ready for a very busy sports watching schedule.
Blue Jays Baseball: Toronto Blue Jays vs. New York Yankees
The Blue Jays are not mathematically out of the playoff race but have not realistically been in the race for the last two months. This doesn’t mean that they can’t put on a good performance with a very young team as they look ahead to the 2012 season. They will also have the ability to change the face of the playoff race in the AL East as they have done before. They can play spoilers to the AL East leading New York Yankees who are trying to fend off the Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays, who are coming on strong at the end of the season. If the Jays can take the series the playoff race will get even more interesting as New York, Boston, and Tampa will all be fighting to the bitter end for an opportunity to play in October.
Date: Friday September 16 – Sunday September 18
Time: 7:00 pm (Fri.)/1:00 pm (Sat.-Sun.)
Where: Sportsnet (Fri.-Sat.)/Sportsnet One (Sun.)
CIS University Football: Toronto Varsity Blues vs. Guelph Gryphons
The Score’s University Rush will enter its second week after showing a big game in week 1 between two ranked teams. This week they will be showing two unranked teams as University of Toronto Varsity Blues will take on the Guelph Gryphons. Toronto will be looking to finally get into the playoffs this year but will need to go through some tough competition in the OUA. This includes the Guelph Gryphons who will be looking to get into the Top 10 with a good performance against Toronto.
Date: Saturday September 17
Time: 1:00 pm
Where: The Score
Battle on the Bayou (UFC Fight Night)
The UFC is back with their next UFC Fight Night this time in New Orleans, otherwise known as the Battle on the Bayou. The Main event will be a battle of welterweights in Jake Shields and Jake “The Juggernaut” Ellenberger. Other main card matchups include the return of Alan “The Talent” Belcher against the Canadian Jason “The Athlete” MacDonald and two former “The Ultimate Fighter” winners as Court “The Crusher” McGee takes on Dongi “The Ox” Yang and Jonathan Brookins will fight Erik “New Breed” Koch.
Date: Saturday September 17
Time: Prelims 5:30 pm/Main Card 9:00 pm
Where: Prelims on Facebook/Main Card on Rogers Sportsnet and Spike TV
NCAA College Football: #1 Oklahoma Sooners vs. #5 Florida State Seminoles
The Oklahoma Sooners are the top team in the NCAA and will have a target on their back for the rest of the season if they remain #1. This will be the case in week 3 of the NCAA Football schedule as the #5 Florida State Seminoles will look to knock off the Sooners. If the Sooners lose they will not be able to get back to #1 unless the other teams, like Alabama and LSU, lose so every game is essential. If the Seminoles win they will move up in the rankings and begin to make a very strong bid for the National Championship. With this kind of pressure the game is guaranteed to be a good one and both teams have the talent to put on a show.
Date: Saturday September 17
Time: 8:00 pm
Where: ABC
Rugby World Cup: Canada vs. France
The Canadian Rugby team kicked off their Rugby World Cup against Tonga last Wednesday with a 25-20 win. This time they take on an increased challenge in the #5 ranked Les Bleus of France in their second game. The Canadians hope to repeat their surprise performance against Tonga where they were not necessarily better than the Tongans statistically, aside from tackles, but used the infamous Canadian heart to pull out a come from behind win. If the Canadians can beat the French they will be in a good spot to advance out of their very tough pool that includes the host nation New Zealand All Blacks.
Date: Sunday September 18
Time: 4:00 am (Replay at 4:00 pm)
Where: TSN
CFL Football: Winnipeg Blue Bombers vs. Montreal Alouettes
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are beginning to look human again after starting the season strong meanwhile the Montreal Alouettes are beginning to look human for once. The Bombers are at the top of the Eastern Conference after starting a strong 2011 season backed by their defence and the play of their QB Buck Peirce. The Montreal Alouettes have been the best team in the East for years but are sitting at #2 this year and have had some issues being as dominant as they would like to be. With Pierce not at 100% and the Alouettes look beatable for the first time in years this game should be a good one and will be for the top spot in the Eastern Conference.
Date: Sunday September 18
Time: 1:00 pm ET
Where: TSN
NASCAR Sprint Cup: Geico 400
The Chase for the Sprint Cup begins this weekend with the Geico 400 as Jimmie Johnson will look to increase his streak. Johnson has won the last five Sprint Cups Championships, a NASCAR record. This year Kyle Busch is ranked #1 going into the Chase and there will be many challengers for the title. Jimmie Johnson is always a favorite after winning 5 in a row but with only one win this year he will have to have a big burst in the final races. Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch are also favorites for the Cup as they have driven strongly this year. The Chase all starts in Chicago with the Geico 400 that marks the beginning of the Chase.
Date: Sunday September 18
Time: 2:00 pm
Where: TSN2
Sunday Night Football: Philadelphia Eagles vs. Atlanta Falcons
Yes that is a picture of Michael Vick in a Falcons jersey but it is not a mistake as the talk is swirling about this image. Michael Vick will make his return to the Georgia Dome in Atlanta for the first time since he returned to the NFL. This time he will not be in his Falcons jersey as he will be guiding a Super Bowl Favorite in the Philadelphia Eagles into another Super Bowl favorite Atlanta Falcons. Not only will everyone be listening on Sunday Night to see what reception the Atlanta fans will have but this game could have big implications on the playoff picture in the NFC, yes even in week 2.
Date: Sunday September 18
Time: 8:15 pm
Where: TSN/NBC
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