Sameer's Six Selections: Early November 2025 edition
The Friday morning edition of "Six things to know before 6 a.m." is live!
Before I get into my preview, I want to give my condolences to the family and teammates and coaches and friends of 24-year old Dallas Cowboys’ defensive end Marshawn Kneeland. The second-year Cowboy took his life on Wednesday, after driving away from the cops after a traffic violation and shooting himself. This, despite reaching the highest of highs on Monday Night Football two days prior, recovering a blocked punt in the endzone for a first half touchdown against the Cardinals at home in Dallas.
If anyone has suicidal thoughts, please reach out to your closest friends and/or family members, or contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK(8255).
As for this past week, the college basketball season - both mens and womens - officially tipped off on Monday, joining the NBA, NHL, NFL, college football and other sports in session this month-onwards.
For today, I will be taking a look at tonight’s crucial college basketball game, along with one college football game and an NFL game that is taking place in Berlin, Germany.
Before I jump ahead, let me take a look back at the weekend that was seven days ago.
Last Week’s record: 3-3
Total Record: 33-17
Last week was not so great; I expected the Toronto Blue Jays to hoist the commissioner’s trophy in a game 6 win and not lose in an epic seven game series. Instead, the Los Angeles Dodgers won their second straight title.
Vanderbilt trailed early to no. 20 Texas (34-10), but their 21 unanswered fourth quarter points were not enough.
And, I should have taken the Buffalo Bills over the Kansas City Chiefs; after all, Josh Allen is now 5-1 in the regular season versus the Chiefs but 0-4 in the playoffs against Kansas City.
As for this week… We start off with a legendary college basketball rivalry match that tips off tonight.
1. NCAA Basketball: Georgetown Hoyas (1-0) at Maryland Terrapins (1-0)
Time: Friday, 6 p.m. ET, FS1 | FanDuel odds: Maryland -7.5 | O/U: 147.5
Do you hear that? The footsteps? Those are thousands of yellow or gold-clad students walking from the Eppley Recreation Center down the sidewalk along the Terrapin Trail Garage and into the XFINITY Center this Friday afternoon - readying for the 66th edition of the Georgetown-Maryland rivalry, in the annual Maryland “Gold Rush” game.
The two local DMV (Washington D.C.-Maryland-Virginia) teams have not met in nine years, as this series remained dormant for nearly a decade. The two squared off every single year (and sometimes twice a year!) from 1935 to 1980; however, the schools only faced each other five times since (1993, 2001, 2008, 2015 and 2016). Politics and scheduling silenced this rivalry, but this is the start of a four-game series for the next four seasons (including this season).
As for the teams - both have been in some major turmoil. For Maryland - their prior head coach, Kevin Willard, took the team to the Sweet Sixteen and thr second weekend of the NCAA Tournament; however, throughout the B1G Tournament and the larger March Madness tournaments, Willard’s position was in jeopardy because he was enticed by the open head coaching vacancy at Villanova University; half his interests were focused on the Pennsylvania program, while the other half on this postseason run.
In comes former Texas &M coach Buzz Williams, who took the Aggies to three straight NCAA tourney appearances. He also led Marquette (2008-14) to two straight Elite Eight NCAA tournament runs and the 2019 Virginia Tech squad with NBA player Nickeil Alexander-Walker to a Sweet Sixteen NCAA tournament run. So, quite the resume.
However, the 2025-2026 Maryland roster has been completely rebuilt and overhauled. Derik Queen (New Orleans Pelicans), Julian Reese, Selton Miguel and Jordan Geronimo departed for the pros. Ja’Kobi Gillespie (Tennessee), Rodney Rice (USC), Tafara Gapare (Villanova) and DeShawn Harris-Smith (Georgetown) transferred out. For the first time in my lifetime, Maryland has zero incoming freshmen and returnees from its home state. Ten incoming transfers join Buzz Williams’s Maryland roster, including four (Pharrel Payne, Solomon Washington, George Turkson and Andre Mills) from Texas A&M. The Terrapins also have two 4-star freshmen, including guard Darius Adams who started in the season opener on Monday.
Now that you are caught up with Maryland, let us take a look at Georgetown. The Hoyas’ glory years under then-head coach John Thompson III (2003-2017) are long behind them, including a 2007 Final Four run. The D.C.-based team had six dreadful seasons with Hoya alumnus-turned-head coach Patrick Ewing, with only one NCAA Tournament appearance. Georgetown struggled in their first season with former Providence head coach Ed Cooley in 2024 (9-23), but rebounded with an 18-16 record this past season.
The Hoyas had less of an upheaval, losing only two players (center Thomas Sorber and Micah Peavy) to the pros and one transfer (Jayden Epps) and six players overall. Georgetown brought back six players, including junior guard Malik Mack, who averaged 12.9 ppg. In this day and age of the transfer portal, the Hoyas received six transfers, including a sophomore forward from UConn (Isaiah Abraham), a former Terp (DeShawn Harris-Smith) and a junior guard from Arizona (KJ Lewis).
With this game being the first of four straight between two teams separated by just 15 miles, I do expect a racous environment at the XFinity Center tonight.
My prediction: Maryland 79, Georgetown 72
2. NBA: Houston Rockets (5-2) at San Antonio Spurs (5-2)
Time: Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET, Amazon Prime Video | FanDuel odds: Rockets -2 | O/U: 223.5
Going from the college to the profession hardwood, the battle of Texas heads to the Alamo tonight in this first game for each of these teams of the 2025 NBA Cup regular season.
For those unaware, the NBA Cup is an in-season tournament involving all NBA teams, with group stage head-to-head games and a knockout bracket format from Oct.-Dec., and the winning team earns a trophy and a substantial cash prize. The NBA commissioner, Adam Silver and the league wanted to draw attention away from the NFL during this period and used a template of what European soccer leagues do with their own in-season tournaments to start this one - the inaugural NBA Cup began in 2023. So, to spice these games up, every NBA Cup game has a unique rich color court that is very distinct from the typical NBA hardwood courts.
As for this game itself - the Spurs are reeling a bit after rocketing to a 5-0 record. San Antonio fell 118-116 to the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday, and superstar 7-foot 6-inch center Victor Wembanyama had a second straight dud (5-of-14 from the field and was in foul trouble throughout). San Antonio has been playing without the likes of veteran point guard DeAaron Fox, who remains sidelined with a hamstring injury and has yet to make his 2025 NBA debut. Because of that, three of their top players committed 4-plus turnovers each (Wemby with 5, Julian Chamagnie with 4 and 2024 rookie of the year Stephon Castle with 6).
On the other side, the Rockets have won five straight since dropping their 2OT season opener to the Oklahoma City Thunder and a 115-111 loss to the Detroit Pistons. Houston has won all but one game by double digits, outscoring opponents by an average of 19.2 ppg. 37-year old forward Kevin Durant, in his first year with the Rockets, has a team-best 24 ppg. Alperen Sengun, the all-around talent at center, is averaging 22.4 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 7.3 apg and 1.6 spg - the Turkish center leads Houston in the latter three categories.
Because Houston has been on a hot streak, I cannot see that ending tonight. Give me the Rockets in this road game at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio.
My prediction: Houston Rockets 124, San Antonio Spurs 107
3. College Football: No. 7 BYU (8-0) at No. 8 Texas Tech (8-1)
Time: Saturday, 12 p.m. ET, ABC | FanDuel odds: Texas Tech -10.5 | O/U: 52.5
I have talked about BYU two weeks ago, when previewing their Holy War 24-21 win against rival Utah. Since then, the Cougars rolled to a 41-27 road win against Iowa State (5-3). Freshman QB Bear Bachmeier passed for over 300 yards, with his two wideouts, Parker Kingston (133 yards and 2 TDs) and Chase Roberts (128 yards) having outstanding performances as well.
BYU now takes on their most difficult opponent - and the last ranked opponent - in Lubbock, TX on Saturday, in the second-most priciest college football game this weekend (according to third-party ticketing site TickPick):
As for Texas Tech, a Big 12 team I have yet to discuss in any of my previews this college football season, they too are facing their toughest test to close out the regular season. The Red Raiders, like the Cougars, defeated the Utah Utes, but their lone loss was a shocking one to Arizona State (26-22) last month.
Texas Tech, who are 10-point favorites, have routed each opponent in all eight wins, with scoring margins of 60, 48, 31, 24, 24, 25, 42 and 23 points. The Red Raiders average 43.6 points and nearly 500 yards of total offense, which are both in the top-five in the nation. Texas Tech typically switched their QBs between Behren Morton (1,750 yards, 15 TD, 4 int) and the more dual threat Will Hammond (680 yards, 7 TD, 3 int; 299 rush yards, 5 rush TD), but the Red Raiders lost Hammond to a season-ending ACL tear two weeks ago.
Defensively, Texas Tech allows an FBS-best 74.6 rushing yards per game, in the top-5 in the nation in allowing only 13.2 points per game, and is 10th-best with 28 sacks.
This Big 12 game is the most important game involving the Red Raiders since the epic 2008 match between Colt McCoy’s Texas Longhorns and the Graham Harrell’s Red Raiders. That is not just me saying that - many college football reporters agree.
My prediction: Texas Tech 33, BYU 17
4. NFL: Atlanta Falcons (3-5) vs. Indianapolis Colts (7-2) in Berlin, Germany
Time: Sunday, 9:30 a.m. ET, NFL Network | FanDuel odds: Colts -6.5 | O/U: 48.5
Wake up bright and early on Sunday to watch a potential Super Bowl candidate take on Bijan Robinson and the Falcons in the first ever game in Berlin, Germany and the fourth one ever in the European country.
The designated home team has taken three of the four victories in Germany; the most recent was Bryce Young and the Panthers toppling Daniel Jones and the Giants 20-17 in overtime in Munich.
This game on Sunday will take place at the Berlin Olympic Stadium, the home of second-tier Bundesliga soccer/futbol squad, Hertha BSC, and the host of the men’s 2024 UEFA Euro Final.
As for the two NFL teams squaring off, the Falcons have been on a three-game slump, falling to the 49ers, Dolphins (shocker!) and Patriots in consecutive games. During that time, star tailback Bijan Robinson has rushed for 40, 25 and 46 rushing yards - a far cry from when he rushed for 143, 72, 75 and 170 yards in weeks 2-6. In this same three-game slide, the Falcons’ pass defense has allowed 150, 197 and 221 yards. Despite that, Atlanta still has the NFL’s top pass defense with just 1,265 yards allowed (158 yards/game).
The Colts surprisingly stumbled in their 27-20 road defeat to the Steelers last week, but should be able to bounce-back against a three-win Falcons team in Berlin Sunday. Like Bijan, Colts’ RB Jonathan Taylor had a season-worst outing against the Steelers, rushing for only 45 yards and zero touchdowns - the first time he was held TD-less since week 4 against the Rams.
The Colts’ defense has the fifth-most takeaways this season (13), with the third-most interceptions (10). Speaking of which, Indianapolis made a gigantic splash at Tuesday’s trade deadline, acquiring standout cornerback Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner from the New York Jets for 2026 and 2027 first round picks and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell. That should bolster the NFL’s sixth-worst pass defense (249 yards/game).
I like the Colts to roll in what should be a great game.
My prediction: Colts 30, Falcons 23
5. NFL: New England Patriots (7-2) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-2)
Time: Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS | FanDuel odds: Buccaneers -2.5 | O/U: 48.5
The Brady Bowl is here, sans Brady!
Future first ballot Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady has played for both franchises, and this is the first game not featuring Brady on either squad since his retirement in 2023. A ‘Debbie Downer’ for this game is that Brady is not the color commentator, since the game is airing on CBS (Brady covers the top FOX game of the week); instead, the top CBS announcing duo of Jim Nantz and Tony Romo will be behind the microphones on Sunday.
The Patriots are on a six-game winning streak, but have only defeated one team with a winning record during that time (Bills). They have allowed 23 or fewer points in each game during this streak, and have allowed an NFL-best 75.4 yards/game and only three touchdowns on the ground this season.
New England QB Drake Maye has passed for over 200 yards in every game this season, and has thrown at least two TD passes in seven of the past eight games; however, the former UNC product had a season-worst three turnovers last week, with two interceptions in the one-point win over the Falcons.
The Buccaneers have had a much-needed week to rest, especially with all of the injuries with the offense. QB Baker Mayfield, once a Sept. candidate for MVP, has regressed mightily in back-to-back road games against the Lions and Saints in weeks 7 and 8. He only threw for one TD and had two turnovers, and airmailing over a dozen passes in both games combined, battling knee and oblique injuries. In addition, the Bucs are still without wide receivers Mike Evans (collarbone), Jalen McMillan (neck) and Chris Godwin (fibula), and starting RB Bucky Irving (foot/shoulder) has yet to practice, despite missing the obligated past four games (and the bye week) while on Injured Reserve.
Despite the injury bug hampering the Bucs on offense, I do expect backup RB Rachaad White and rookie wideout Emeka Ebuka to exploit the 22nd-best pass defense at home in Tampa.
My prediction: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27, New England Patriots 21
6. NFL: Detroit Lions (5-3) at Washington Commanders (3-6)
Time: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX | FanDuel odds: Lions -8.5 | O/U: 48.5
How the mighty have fallen for the Commanders. Washington was expected to vie for the NFC East title (along with the favorites in the Philadelphia Eagles), with this stretch of nationally televised games (at Cowboys; at Chiefs on MNF; vs. Seahawks on SNF; vs. Lions; vs. Dolphins in Madrid, Spain and vs. Broncos on SNF) showcasing their talented offense to the world.
However, with a mounting number of season-ending injuries to a bevy of starters and incapable backups unable to hold their own, the Commanders have free-fallen and lost four straight games.
Compared to their opening day starting lineup, the Commanders will be without seven of 22 starters, from QB Jayden Daniels (elbow) to WR Terry McLaurin (quad) to DE Dorance Armstrong (knee) to safety Will Harris (fibula). To replace them are QB Marcus Mariota, WR Treylon Burks (yuck), DE Jalyn Holmes (who?) and S Quan Martin (yuck).
Washington will be hosting a Lions’ squad fresh off a bye week, but losers of two of their last three games. This should be their ‘get right’ game for QB Jared Goff, RBs Jahmir Gibbs and David Montgomery, and wide receivers Amon Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams.
I would be shocked if all four offensive skill players do not hit paydirt (or if any one of the four have multiple touchdowns).
My prediction: Detroit Lions 45, Washington Commanders 7