National Football League

Weekend Watch List: Finales abound for Florida's NFL and NCAA football teams

Published Dec. 25, 2014 3:00 p.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

Hana Ostapchuk

As the regular season finale week approaches for the NFL, it's only natural that this weekend's happenings revolve around all-things football.

Whether it's college or pro, fans of Florida's football teams have a few final games to take in this weekend.

FRIDAY

NBA -- Cavaliers at Magic, 7 p.m. (FOX Sports Florida)

CFB -- St. Petersburg Bowl: UCF vs. NC State, 8 p.m.

Spotlight: The last time we saw UCF play, it was a game to remember. The Knights got their Hail Mary against East Carolina on Dec. 4 when quarterback Justin Holman threw 51 yards to wide receiver Breshad Perriman on the final play of the game to earn UCF a share of the American Athletic Conference title. UCF, which his making its seventh bowl game appearance, has won four games in a row heading into its matchup against NC State. After losing their first three bowl games, they've won their last three.

SATURDAY

CFB - Independence Bowl: Miami vs. South Carolina, 1 p.m.

NHL - Hurricanes at Lightning, 7 p.m. ET (Sun Sports)

NBA - Magic at Hornets, 7 p.m. ET (FOX Sports Florida)

NBA - Grizzlies at Heat, 7:30 p.m. ET (Sun Sports)

Spotlight:  The Independence Bowl features two teams who set their sights on bigger bowl games heading into the season, but each finished 6-6. The Hurricanes' strong suit is on offense with running back Duke Johnson and freshman quarterback Brad Kaaya, who set a record for Miami freshmen with 2,962 passing yards and 25 touchdowns. Miami, which ended the regular season on a three-game losing streak, hasn't won a bowl game since 2006. South Carolina is seeking a school-record fourth straight bowl victory.

SUNDAY

NFL - Saints at Buccaneers, 1 p.m. ET (FOX)

NFL - Jets at Dolphins, 1 p.m. ET

NFL - Jaguars at Texans, 1 p.m. ET

NHL - Maple Leafs at Panthers, 4 p.m. ET (FOX Sports Florida)

Spotlight: There will be no playoffs for Florida's NFL teams, so Sunday will be the last time to catch them in action until next summer. With a loss to the Saints, the Buccaneers would clinch the No. 1 pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. The Dolphins look to sweep the Jets for the first time since 2009 and finish the season with a winning record for the first time since 2008. The Jaguars? They've clinched their fourth straight losing season and with another loss will finish winless on the road. On the bright side, QB Blake Bortles needs just 29 yards passing to break the franchise's rookie record.

NEWS OF NOTES

-- Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher received a contract extension to keep him with the Seminoles through the 2022 season. The new eight-year contract was agreed to Tuesday, and will make him one of the highest paid coaches in the country, although salary details are still being worked out.

-- On Tuesday, Miami Dolphins defensive end Cameron Wake and cornerback Brent Grimes were named to the Pro Bowl. Grimes will be making his second consecutive appearance and third overall, while Wake will be making his fourth appearance.

-- Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy was honored to return to the Pro Bowl for his third consecutive time on Tuesday night. He is the first Buccaneers player to be named with Pro Bowl honors in three consecutive years since 2006.

-- Former Michigan offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier will join the staff of Florida Gators new coach Jim McElwain in 2015. Named to the same position at Florida, Nussmeier had spent two seasons with Alabama as the offensive coordinator before moving to serve the Wolverines for a year.

-- Florida Panthers goaltender Roberto Luongo reached his 386th career victory on Monday night from the 4-3 shootout victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Luongo passed Mike Vernon, former Calgary Flames goaltender, for sole possession of 12th on NHL's all-time wins list.

TWEET(S) OF THE WEEK

Unfortunately, the inaugural Miami Beach Bowl at Marlins Park might be remembered more for the ugly brawl that took place after the game than the thrilling contst that took place -- a 55-48 victory by the Memphis Tigers over the BYU Cougars in double overtime.

BYU athletic director issued an apology over Twitter for the brawl.

share

Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

National Football League