Late November and early December are a sports lovers' dream - and a wife or husband's worst nightmare.

The leaves have fallen. Pumpkins have gone the way of compost. Thanks have been given. Some people starting counting down the days until spring but for many sports enthusiasts winter just can't last long enough.

Sure, no one likes the cold weather, but what does it really matter? With so much quality entertainment, who needs to go out?

Each year around this time, college football enters the stretch run toward the multi-week bowl fiesta that features many of the best teams and players each year. This year is no different.

Many conferences will begin playing their championship games as a little appetizer as the two best teams in the country - Texas and Southern Cal - continue on a collision course that was set on day one.

Three of the nation's best players and the top Heisman candidates will be in this game, if it all plays out as expected.

On the other side of the gridiron, the NFL has entered its own stretch run as teams try to position themselves for the playoffs and the Super Bowl. As if this time of the year wasn't great enough for pro fans, this year offers a little something special.

The Bengals are still contenders! Yes, you heard me right. It is nearly winter and the Bengals' games still matter. In fact, they have been one of the most fun teams to watch all season.

But just as the remote starts to cool down from the weekend watching frenzy, the hoops seasons have officially tipped off. College basketball has gotten under way and will build to a crescendo until the chaos of March Madness engulfs fans.

The season is so young that every college - well, maybe not - can dream of making the big dance and snagging that date with Cinderella.

If you are more interested in talent than teamwork and skills than schools, that is OK because winter has something for you, too. Yep, the NBA ball has started bouncing, too.

Some may say the NBA doesn't get exciting until June - if ever - but I just can't get enough. Toss a round ball on the hardwood and I will have my eyes glued like a cat on a fishbowl.

All these sporting events can make things a little tricky on the home front. Your significant other will often ask about weekend plans. Too often the conversation goes like this.

&#8220Do you want to do something this weekend” the casual sports lover says to his or her spouse.

&#8220Sure. We really need to go out,” the addict says.

&#8220Well, how about we go to lunch?” comes the response.

&#8220That sounds great. Where do you want to go? Do they have a TV?” the sports enthusiast says, trying so delicately to mask the fact that some &#8220can't miss” event is about to hit the air waves.

&#8220Well, maybe we should just go to dinner so you can watch the game,” the understanding spouse says. &#8220How about we go at 6?”

&#8220Well, umm, huh. How about we make it 8 instead?” comes the reply. &#8220No, wait, that is not going to work. What about 7? No, let's try 9:30 or maybe 10-ish. I know how about we go at 9:42 and get back by 10:17. Will that work?”

Thank goodness some of the sports begin to wrap up around the first of the year. If not there would be likely be lots of lonely sports fans.

Michael Caldwell is managing editor of The Ironton Tribune. To reach him, call (740) 532-1445 ext. 24 or by e-mail at mike.caldwell@irontontribune.com.