Welcome to this week’s Six Pack! Each week, I’ll share a mix of thoughts (some sports-related, some not) and I’d love for you to jump in with your reactions, ideas, or recommendations in the comments. Here’s what’s on my mind this week. 

1. Football, Family, and the Perfect Holiday

A common question this time of year is, “Which holiday do you like better, Thanksgiving or Christmas?” It is a tough one because I enjoy them both, but if I am being honest, I lean ever so slightly toward Thanksgiving. Part of that is because it feels like the unofficial start of Christmas, and I love having a full month of buildup and festive energy ahead of us. Christmas Day is awesome, but the next morning I feel like I’m taking down decorations and staring at weeks of dreary weather. So it is close but I will take Turkey Day.

Of course, like any good holiday, it is about being with friends and family, eating great food, and perhaps enjoying a few adult beverages. But ever since I was a kid, one thing has always separated Thanksgiving from the other big holidays, and that would be football. It has always made the day feel extra special for me.

I was born in Detroit and went to high school in Dallas, so I have been to several Thanksgiving Day games over the years. I appreciate the history and tradition behind them, but as cool as it was to attend those games, I actually prefer staying home in a warm, cozy house with family and friends and watching every snap. And thankfully in 2006 the football gods gave us a third game at night, so even more to watch as the tryptophan starts to settle in. 

My first Thanksgiving football memory was in 1980, and it was not a pleasant one. I was seven. Lots of us were in my aunt and uncle’s unfinished basement in suburban Detroit watching Lions vs Bears on a little black and white TV. Detroit was up 17-3, blew the lead, and in overtime Chicago returned the kickoff for a touchdown on the very first play. Game over. Lots of lost appetites in that basement.

But even with the loss, I remember how fun it felt to watch football on a festive day surrounded by family, good food, and great vibes. That feeling stuck with me. And that is why the games will absolutely be on in my house this Thursday, just like they always are.

2. Thanksgiving Flicks are Few and Far Between

I planned to do a Top 5 ranking of Thanksgiving movies here, but after reflecting and doing some research, I realized something surprising. There aren’t nearly enough good Thanksgiving movies. Christmas has a ton, but Turkey Day basically has scraps.

Which tells me Hollywood needs to do better. It is one of the biggest holidays we have, and we deserve more films that actually center around it.

Given the shortage, I could not in good conscience force a Top 5. So instead, here are my Top 3. And yes, one technically is not even a movie, but we are counting it anyway.

3. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

This is the “cheating” pick, but it makes the list because it perfectly captures the spirit and warmth of the holiday. It is only a twenty five minute TV special, but it nails the essence. Friends, family, gratitude, and even a little chaos mixed in. You get the classic Lucy-pulling-the-football gag, a few arguments and apologies, and in the end all the kids sitting down to eat together. Even Snoopy and Woodstock get to dig into some pumpkin pie. Pure nostalgia and still great after all these years.

2. Planes, Trains and Automobiles

One of my dad’s all-time favorites and one we watched almost every year before he passed. The entire story is about trying to get home for the holiday and the travel hijinks that come with it. Anyone who has ever fought Thanksgiving-week travel can relate. John Candy and Steve Martin are incredible together, and while it is very funny, it also has heart, compassion, and a subtle reminder that even in the hardest times, we all have something to be thankful for.

1. Scent of a Woman

Not technically a “Thanksgiving movie,” but the entire story takes place over Thanksgiving weekend, and it is one of my favorite films, period. Al Pacino won his only Oscar for his role, playing a blind, retired Army Lieutenant Colonel contemplating suicide. Chris O’Donnell’s character is navigating his own moral crossroads, and the bond they form is powerful. They teach each other, challenge each other, and ultimately help each other in profound ways. It is brilliantly acted and beautifully told. As I write this I realize it has been way too long since I last saw it, so I will be committing to rewatching it this week.

3. Rivalry Week Rocks

There is more than just pro football to get excited about this Thanksgiving weekend. It also brings one of the best weekends in all of college football with Rivalry Week. From the Iron Bowl to the Egg Bowl, there are so many classic matchups to get excited about. No matter the history or geography behind them, there is nothing like watching two bitter rivals go at it.

Growing up as a die-hard Michigan fan, I have been immersed in what I genuinely believe is the greatest rivalry in all of sports. It is so good it does not even need a fancy nickname, as it is simply called The Game.

Michigan and Ohio State have met 120 times since 1897, and it is a true hate battle, not only between two schools but between two states. I was born in Michigan and have lived in Ohio for 30+ years now, so trust me, I have seen it all. Michigan leads the series 62-51-6 and holds the largest victory ever. They also carry a four game winning streak into this year. But Ohio State completely owned the early 2000s, winning 17 of 19 meetings from 2001 through 2019. The Buckeyes have also won three national titles this century, compared to Michigan’s one. These are two blue bloods, and anytime they line up on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, it is must-watch television.

One of the most memorable matchups came in 2006 when both teams were undefeated. It is still the only time the schools have met ranked numbers 1 & 2 in the nation. Bo Schembechler passed away the day before, the game kicked at 3:30 instead of noon, the weather was perfect, and Michigan still fell 42-39. I was there with my dad, and it ended up being the last Michigan game we ever attended together. Even with the loss, I have wonderful memories from that experience.

One funny story from that day. My dad and I had just pulled onto campus after driving up from Cincinnati when a clearly overserved college kid spotted our Michigan gear while stopped at a traffic light. He staggered over to the car window, gave us the double bird, shouted, “F*ck you, Go Bucks,” and stumbled away. I turned to my dad and said, “Welcome to Columbus, Pops.”

This year will be a little different because my niece is getting married in Cleveland at 1:00 pm that afternoon. Yes, I know, they clearly are not football people. So I will be slyly keeping one eye on the score on my phone and hoping I can at least catch the ending somewhere.

If your team plays in a rivalry game this weekend, good luck. If not, there are still plenty of great ones to enjoy. Grab a seat and soak in one of the very best football weekends of the entire year.

4. Pack Light but Bring Wine....

I watched an older TV show the other day and it had the classic gag about a woman packing four suitcases for a one night trip. What really made me laugh, though, was seeing her drag those old, boxy, bright colored suitcases around. It made me appreciate how far luggage has come. We now have multiple sizes, easy packing layouts, expandable compartments, smooth wheels, and extended handles that make traveling so much easier.

The issue now is that every suitcase looks the same. I swear 80% of them are black. It is nearly impossible to tell which one is ours. Jamie will point to one and say “that’s mine,” so I grab it and of course it often is not hers. I have no perfect solution, but I am very close to buying her giant stickers for Christmas that say “This is Jamie Bierman’s Bag” just to make my life simpler.

If you need new luggage, I’m a big fan of Samsonite. We have bought all of our bags from them for more than a decade and have never been disappointed. Great quality, functional designs, and the prices are more reasonable than I expected. The outlet near us helps, but we have also found great Black Friday deals on Amazon.

And finally, if you enjoy wine and like to travel with it the way Jamie and I do, one of our best purchases ever was a hard-sided wine suitcase that holds six bottles and checks as normal luggage. We take it on most trips now because it is nice to have a bottle we know we like in the hotel room or to take to dinner and just pay the corkage fee. Ours was under two $200 and absolutely worth it for our travel preferences. 

5. "Sooner" or Later, Oklahoma's Offense has to Wake Up

I had another great college football Saturday, parked on my couch for most of the day. I flipped through at least a dozen games, but the one that stood out was the noon top 25 matchup between Oklahoma and Missouri.

Part of the reason was I had Missouri +8.5 as one of my best bets, so I had a vested interest. And as I watched every snap, a few things jumped out.

First, the non-cover. Oklahoma was down 11 late and well within field goal range on a 4th and 3. Instead of kicking to make it a one score game (and giving us the cover), they went for it. The pass was dropped, and our hope was essentially over. I get that it was a toss-up decision, but as a bettor it still stung.

Missouri controlled the first quarter behind RB Ahmad Hardy, who continues to look like one of the best backs in the country. Along with Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love, he checks every box you want in a future NFL starter. Size, burst, power, vision, everything.

Then there is Oklahoma’s kicker, Tate Sandell, who is having a year for the ages. Here is the simple version of what he is doing:

He is 22 of 23 on field goals and perfect on extra points. After missing his first attempt of the year against Michigan, he has made 22 straight, an OU record and the second-longest streak in SEC history. He's an absurd 7 for 7 from 50 yards or more (leading the nation) and one of only two kickers in the last 30 years to hit that many 50 yarders without a miss. He also has four makes from 55+ and leads the nation in average make distance. This kid is clutch any time you need one through the crossbars and he will certainly be kicking on Sundays.

And finally, even though Oklahoma won 17–6 and will absolutely make the playoff, I do not see them going far unless they find answers on offense. The defense is borderline elite, but the offense is way too stagnant and inconsistent right now.

6. The Tree is Up. The Lights Are Not.

We did something this past weekend we have never done. We started decorating for Christmas and even put up the tree before Thanksgiving. When Jamie suggested it, I immediately said, “WTH, please no, way too early.” But since we will be gone this weekend and the following week is loaded with work and other commitments, it actually made the most sense. So I reluctantly agreed even though it felt crazy early.

But honestly, it was a lot of fun. We always put on Christmas music, decorate, then sit down as a family to watch a Christmas movie. Die Hard is typically our go-to (and yes, it is a Christmas movie!) 

But there is one thing I still refuse to do and I want your opinion on it, Sandman Nation. Are Christmas lights worth the hassle? We used to put them up, but about a decade ago I decided it simply was not worth it. It is a ton of work for just a few weeks.  I love looking at everyone else’s displays, and I appreciate how festive they make neighborhoods look, but I simply do not want to be the one climbing ladders and wrestling extension cords.

Jamie does not agree with me, but thankfully this is one battle I have won for now. So I need to know. If you put up lights and love it, what is your trick? Why do you do it? Is there a faster or easier way that I am missing? 

Let me know your thoughts, Sandman Nation. Am I right or completely off base here?

And finally Sandman Nation, no matter where you are, who you are with, or what you are doing, all of us at Sandman Sports wish you a heartfelt Thanksgiving and are grateful for all the support as we continue to grow this company. Thank you for reading this piece regularly and for all the positive feedback you continue to send. 

Now go get that turkey, make the pie, fire up the fireplace, and enjoy the long weekend with your loved ones.

Thanks for checking out this week’s Six Pack, Sandman Nation! I’d love to hear your thoughts: what resonated with you, what you disagree with, or your own takes on these topics. Drop your comments and let’s keep the conversation going.

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