Weekend watchdog

The WNBA championship could be decided this weekend. Then it might be a long time until there's pro basketball on TV.

While the start of the NBA season is delayed by lockout, the Dream and Lynx battle for the WNBA championship on ESPN2. Minnesota won the first two games at home, and Game 3 is Friday at 8 p.m.

If the Dream win, Game 4 tips Sunday at 4 p.m. from Atlanta. If necessary, Game 5 will be Wednesday from Minnesota.

Then it might be a long time until pro basketball tips again.

The baseball playoffs enter the League Championship round this weekend. FOX has the American League series, starting Saturday with the Rangers hosting the Tigers. Game 2 will be Sunday before the teams head to Detroit Tuesday. 

The National League championship round starts Sunday on TBS after a pair of Game 5 contests Friday. Milwaukee faces Arizona at 5 p.m., then the Phillies host St. Louis at 8:30 p.m.

It's the first week of byes in the NFL, with six teams getting the week off - including the Ravens and Redskins. CBS has the doubleheader Sunday, with Tennessee going to Pittsburgh at 1 p.m. followed by the Jets' visit to New England. FOX in Washington shows the Seahawks facing the Giants.

NBC gets the Packers' visit to Atlanta on Sunday night, while ESPN visits Detroit Monday night for the game with the Bears.

The NHL season gets underway this weekend, as the Capitals host Carolina Saturday at 7 p.m. on Comcast. Versus has a pair of games from Stockholm, as the Rangers face the Kings Friday at 1 p.m. and Ducks Saturday at 1 p.m.

The college football weekend begins Friday when Boise State faces Fresno State at 9 p.m. on ESPN.

CBS brings top-ranked LSU against Florida Saturday at 3:30 p.m., while NBC offers Air Force at Notre Dame.

ABC gets its day started with the Red River rivalry Saturday at noon, as Texas and Oklahoma play in Dallas. At 3:30 p.m., ACC country will watch the Hokies try to bounce back against Miami. Other areas will see Iowa at Penn State or Missouri-Kansas State, with ESPN showing one of those games in our area.

In primetime, Ohio State limps into Lincoln for a Big Ten matchup with Nebraska.

ESPN has Minnesota at Purdue at noon, while ESPN2 shows Louisville taking on North Carolina. Both networks go to the SEC at 7 p.m., with Auburn at Arkansas on ESPN and Georgia-Tennessee on ESPN2.

FX brings Texas A&M facing Texas Tech at 7 p.m., while Versus shows Stanford hosting Colorado at 7:30 p.m.

The ACC network brings Wake Forest vs. Florida State Saturday at 12:30 p.m.

Comcast has ACC action Saturday at 3 p.m. with Boston College going to Clemson, then it's off to the PAC-12 at 11 p.m. when Washington State battles UCLA.

MASN has the Big East game of the week Saturday at noon, with West Virginia hosting Connecticut. It's off to the Big South at 7 p.m. when VMI travels to Coastal Carolina.

NASCAR heads to Kansas Sunday at 2 p.m. on ESPN, while the Nationwide racers go Saturday at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN2.

Virginia soccer hosts Maryland Friday at 7 p.m. on Comcast.

ESPN2 has Big Ten volleyball Sunday at 1 p.m., with Indiana facing Nebraska.