Relatives are flying in, Mom is preparing food all day, and watching football is a given — Thanksgiving is here. Not only is this a great time to be with those you love, but turkey day gives me a reason to toss the old pig skin around. In this season of giving and thanks, I feel it’s only appropriate to list the top ten things I am thankful for in sports.

1.) Controversy: I would say probably 80 percent of my daily arguments with my friends are based solely on sports. It gives me something to talk about. At times, the games are enough, but when I can debate whether Kobe is better than LeBron and read about the latest steroid user in sports, my day is made.

2.) The Good Guys: When an athlete or coach breaks the mold of someone who is wrapped up in themselves, or when a player’s beliefs aren’t based on the millions they make, I feel so refreshed. I admire and thank players like Tim Tebow and Larry Fitzgerald because they have strong morals, and show not every player is all about the money.

3.) Underdogs: The unpredictability in sports is one of my favorite aspects. With competition, every team has a chance. Despite what experts think and what analysts predict, the game still has to be played.

4.) Instant Replay: I know many of you readers may disagree, but video reply makes the referee’s job that much easier. A zebra may mess up a call occasionally, but no one is perfect. Plus, this ties back into that controversy I love so much. Now I can argue my team would have won if it weren’t for a bad call by the ref.

5.) Rivalry Week: Okay, so maybe not all the matchups are a must-see, but how much fun is it to watch Ohio State play Michigan, Duke square off against North Carolina or Florida face Florida State? The possibility of a ranked team being knocked off by their rival makes it all worth watching. Also, this gives loyal fans those cherished bragging rights until the next contest between the two teams.

6.) The Hot Stove: I love baseball, but it isn’t the most riveting sport most of the time. But the Hot Stove provides the necessary variation. Besides Opening Day and the postseason, this is the best time for the sport. During this time (the baseball offseason), I jump onto my computer every day to check the latest rumor and to see who is going where.

7.) Fantasy Football: Everything I do on draft day revolves on the time of my draft. Though fantasy football has caused me some stress in the past, seeing my team name ranked first in the overall standings is very gratifying. Plus, it gives me a reason to keep tabs on other teams I would never dare to, just because I have one of their players.

8.) Dick Vitale and Lee Corso: Both these guys make watching college sports at times more enjoyable than watching a professional game. Both are getting up there age-wise, but they have more charisma and enthusiasm for the game than most players. Seeing Corso put on the head of a team’s mascot, or hearing Vitale scream “He’s a diaper dandy baby,” can get the whole crowd into the game.

9.) Football Season: Let’s think about what we do on Sundays when it is not football season. Homework, laundry, and hope tomorrow never comes because of school or work. Sunday is probably the most hated day ever. For those few weeks out of the year that make up Football Season, I can look forward to Sunday.

10.) Erin Andrews: Come on! There is no one else I would rather watch on the sidelines. Unless (crossing my fingers), Megan Fox decides to become a reporter for ESPN.