It's the Thanksgiving Weekend edition of SMWSM! This week's monologue explores the upcoming contract negotiation between Jim Nantz and CBS. Next, it's Vegas Corner with Gabe Mirabelli. We review last week's games and react to the first batch of college football playoff rankings. Gabe also gives his picks for this weekend. Then, the festivities continue with an interview of historian Dr. Madison Cates. Dr. Cates discusses what it's like to write a dissertation and to teach college courses. He also regales us with the history of Thanksgiving, memories from his days at Gardner-Webb, thoughts on the Andy Griffith Show, and more. We're thankful for you this weekend (and every weekend) on SMWSM!

This Week's Audio Menu:

Cavalcade of Sound (0:01-0:50)
Opening Monologue (0:51-12:39)
  -Table Setting and Market Shoutouts
  -Happy Thanksgiving!
  -The Jim Nantz and CBS Contract Negotiation
  -Episode Preview
Vegas Corner with Gabe (12:40-38:30)
  -Fast Eddie Goes All-In
  -Guest Intro
  -Last Week's Kentucky Debacle
  -Coastal Carolina's Miraculous Cover
  -Reacting to the College Football Playoff Rankings
  -Gabe's Picks for this Week
  -Can Gabe Calculate Parlay Odds in his Head?
  -Gabe Slept on Mississippi State Last Week
  -My Pick of the Week
Dr. Madison Cates Interview (38:31-1:32:49)
  -Andy of Mayberry Loves Birds
  -Guest Intro
  -Stories from his High School Running Career
  -Deciding to Attend Gardner-Webb
  -First Impressions of the 3rd Floor of Lutz-Yelton Hall
  -Favorite Dr. Eastman and Dr. Yelton Stories
  -The Rigors of Graduate School Compared to Undergrad
  -Attending NC State as a UNC Fan
  -His First Experience Teaching College Students
  -Humorous Exam Responses
  -Choosing a PhD Program (Florida)
  -His Runner-Up Program (Mississippi State)
  -Carly's First Trip to Gainesville on US-301
  -Florida Weather
  -Writing and Defending a Dissertation
  -Steve Spurrier Sightings in Gainesville
  -The History of Thanksgiving
  -Favorite Andy Griffith Show Episodes
  -Kyle Trask for Heisman
Arthur Carlson of WKRP Radio Really Believed Turkeys Could Fly (1:32:50-1:33:00)