Manti Te'o is one of three Heisman finalists. (Scott Enyeart/NT)

Sports are the most watched entity on weekend television and for good reason, everyone loves good matchups and stars. Whether it's college sports, NFL, NBA, MLB, or even something that should play on ESPN 8: The Ocho, we will present the insight.

Sports are at the core of American society, and not paying attention to the biggest moments will leave you isolated in an every growing sports world. Couch Potatoes, rejoice as I will conduct the research and compile a weekend preview of the best action. Keep an eye out for a special treat every week; showcasing something special in sports that fans must see.

This new weekly segment will highlight the best sporting events, matchups and premieres from across the sporting landscape. I will divulge into each topic and at the end provide a prediction while revealing telling fates for all involved.

That being said, here are some great ways to enjoy the beginning of study week here at USC, and the second weekend in December for you non-students.

Heisman Presentation: Saturday 5:00 PM PST, ESPN

Notre Dame's Manti Te'o, Texas A&M's Johnny Manziel and Kansas State's Collin Klein (almost forgot he was still involved) are the three finalists for the Heisman Trophy. A freshman has never won the award, but Johnny Football is not your average Heisman candidate. Winning clutch games against Alabama and Mississippi State has propelled the phenom quarterback to the top of the rankings. 

Collin Klein was the top choice before his K-State Wildcats got stomped by Baylor on the road. Do not sleep on Klein, however, because his early season media attention could carry some weight in December. Klein and coach Bill Snyder turned an average K-State team into a national title contender, set to square with Oregon in the Fiesta Bowl.

The next best choice has to be Te'o, the most inspirational figure in college football and the best player on the top-ranked team. If history means anything, then the senior Te'o could have a chance.

Prediction: Whoever wins will deserve the trophy for his outstanding play in 2012. In what should be quite the entertaining and stressful presentation, expect Te'o to take home the first Heisman for Notre Dame since Tim Brown in 1987.

Illinois at Gonzaga NCAA Basketball: Saturday 7:00 PM PST, ESPN 2

The No. 13-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini, who dismantled USC in Maui, set sail for rugged Spokane to face the Gonzaga Bulldogs. Mark Few has assembled his best club in years, now ranked No. 10, and the Bulldogs are ready to prove themselves on the national stage. 

The best matchup to watch will feature Illinois point guard Brandon Paul and Gonzaga star Kevin Pangos. These distributors each average 3.9 assists per game and score in double digits on a nightly basis. 

Gonzaga posts the eighth-ranked offense in college basketball, and much of that has to do with their up-tempo style of play. Pangos directs the floor alongside developing big man Kelly Olynk. Olynk and Pangos make quite the tandem on the pick-and-roll slashing opposing defenses. 

If Illinois wants to upset the Zags on the road, they will need to make three-pointers. The Illini shoot 40 percent from behind the arc, largely due to Joseph Bertrand, who fires over five deep balls per game.

This matchup will be a spectacular way to kick off your Saturday night festivities. As my favorite game of the weekend, the 7:00 p.m. PT tip will draw for more of a West Coast audience, but an East Coast style of play.

Prediction: The Gonzaga Bulldogs win 75-69. I can’t bet against Gonzaga at home.

Justin Cobbs leads the Golden Bears. (Dinur Blum/Creative Commons)

Sticking on the West Coast trend, No. 21 UNLV will head to Berkeley to square with the 6-1 Golden Bears on Saturday night.

UNLV returns stars Anthony Marshall and Mike Moser from last year's squad that was a No. 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament. But the biggest piece for the Rebels is freshman sensation Anthony Bennett, who is averaging 18 points, seven rebounds and two blocks per night in only 27 minutes of action per game.

California started the season 6-0 before getting spanked around by Wisconsin, but have the guard play to compete with anyone in the nation. Justin Cobbs and Allen Crabtree average a combined 40 points per game, with each shooting over 52 percent from the field. These two are electric, and give Cal the firepower to score with anyone.

Where Cal must improve is down low in the post. Richard Solomon, a high school teammate of Cobbs, is averaging seven points and six boards per contest. The 6-foot-10 forward is a little undersized in the weight department but uses his athleticism to make plays. 

Outside of Solomon, the Bears struggle to get any consistent production. David Kravish averages eight boards a game but gets in foul trouble far too often for the Bears.

Prediction: UNLV 79-65. UNLV's athleticism and depth will be too much for Cal.

Golden State Warriors at Brooklyn Nets: Friday 4:00 PM PST, YES

In a matchup of the seasons two best stories in 2012, the Warriors and Nets square to settle who is the more legitimate playoff team. This Saturday night NBA clash will pit Coach of the Year candidates Mark Jackson and Avery Johnson.

The 11-7 Golden State Warriors have fought the injury bug and a brutal schedule to bring some much needed hope to the Bay Area. The 11-6 Nets have lost two straight, but are playing much better with a solid starting five led by a revitalized Deron Williams.

The key matchup to watch will be Williams versus Stephen Curry. Curry is a notoriously bad defender but an elite scorer. If Williams can attack the basket at will and distribute the ball to his playmakers, the Nets will engulf the Warriors.

The Warriors have answers down low in Carl Landry and David Lee. Both have never been considered elite defenders by any standard, but are starting to muscle up in the paint. The greatest addition to the defense has to be first-round pick Harrison Barnes, who has helped instill Jackson’s defensive principles.

Prediction: Golden State 107-104. I see too much offense coming from Golden State, who will capitalize on the David Lee-versus-Brook Lopez matchup.

Robert Griffin III is making his case for MVP. (Keith Allison/Creative Commons)

The AFC North-leading Ravens face the red-hot Washington Redskins. RGIII has played fantastic in his last three games, throwing nine touchdowns to only one interception. Baltimore's Joe Flacco, on the other hand, has struggled over his last three starts, recording no QBR over 50. The Ravens have scrapped wins over Pittsburgh (before losing to the Steelers a week ago) and survived a 4th-and-29 against San Diego to eventually force overtime and pull out a thriller.

The Redskins have rolled in their contests against NFC East competition. Defeating the Giants and Cowboys in fourth-quarter style and crushing the Eagles gives this team quite the momentum burst for a critical home matchup.

In the Battle of the Beltway, both teams need the victory to secure their playoff bids. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh has been calm and composed all season but if the Ravens falter, questions could be flying about the future of his injured squad.

Ever since Mike Shanahan was misrepresented as saying the season was over, the Redskins have responded and now are going back to their bread and butter of running the football.

Prediction: Redskins 24-17. Against the Ravens' porous rush-defense, the No. 1 rushing attack in the league will streamline their way to victory. 

Army vs. Navy: Saturday 12 PM, CBS

The only college football game of the weekend pits Army and Navy for the 113th time. Navy has experience a recent dominant streak over the Army, winning ten straight contests.

The Midshipmen will go bowling this December, but nothing means more than a victory over West Point. Triple Option is the key to success, as the Naval Academy ranks sixth in the nation in rushing with over 285 yards per game.

Army will not go bowling this season, but post the nation's best rushing attack. Plus, they have already defeated Air Force, and could clinch the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy if they defeat their East Coast rivals. In a thrilling Saturday afternoon game, the future protectors of our nation will square off at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, and no game is more iconic of our national love for our soldiers and football than this one.

Every sport fan should at least spend a half-hour to watch the game and witness the entire student body packed with future servicemen and servicewomen cheering on their side.

Predictions: Navy 17-12. This will not be the year for Army to break the streak.

Brady and the Patriots have already clinched the AFC East. (Keith Allison/Creative Commons)

Special Treat: Houston Texans at New England Patriots: Monday 5 PM PST, ESPN

It is Tom Brady and the Patriots' stellar offense versus J.J. Watt and the thundering Texans defense on Monday Night Football to decide the best team in the AFC. What could be better?

After work, sit on the couch and munch on some great offense as the Texans' potent running and the Patriots' passing attack square for supremacy. Matt Schaub will have the national stage to upend Brady, something that is always exciting to watch.

Plus, Jon Gruden will have a field day with the ESPN equipment dissecting the formations, packages and sub-packages that both teams run. Expect a nasty-yet-fun affair when New England head coach Bill Belichick and Houston defensvie coordinator Wade Phillips square off.

Prediction: Patriots 27-20. Too much Tom Brady in this contest.

Reach staff writer Evan Budrovich here, or follow him on Twitter.