Astronomy Professor Celeste is super excited about the annual Christmas Trivia Contest at Nick's Bar. It's a big deal—and not just for bragging rights. The winner gets a trophy called "The Stan," named after the best trivia competitor Nick's has ever seen. Celeste feels really good about this year because she has Richard, a two-time Jeopardy! winner, on her team!

She loves everything about the university where she teaches—except for football. Speaking of football, meet Max, the offensive coordinator. He doesn't really have any plans this holiday season because his parents are going on a cruise.

We're one day away from the first round, and Richard backs out. Celeste is really stressed. So stressed, in fact, that she gets mad at Max over how he handles the buffet—something she's downright wrong about. It's time for the first round, and Max shows up just to watch. But when the first round turns out to be about sports, they pull Max in to join the team, much to Celeste's chagrin. The first round ends, and they're down by one point. The rest of the team loves Max and wants him to stay for the next five days. Celeste protests, saying, "I'm sure he's busy." Max responds, "I'm actually wide open." Celeste is annoyed, but she knows winning is everything.

Celeste clearly cares about this more than the rest of her team. She stays up all night studying and shows up the next day feeling incredibly intense. But does it help them win? No. In fact, they come in last place on night two.

Max decides that the problem is they forgot to have fun. The next day, he invites the team to play a game of "Capture the Star" on the rock wall—an old classic. His theory? "If we have fun, we'll be happy. And if we're happy, we might just win." Celeste is hesitant but gives in—and ends up having a good time, maybe because they’re winning.

Afterward, instead of studying, Celeste goes with Max to buy a Christmas tree, and they actually end up having a great time talking and getting to know each other. It's time for round three, and the "fun" strategy works! They go double or nothing and win first place in the round. Celeste and Max celebrate with a hug, and the sparks fly. He walks her home, and they connect even further. Max is pumped!

The next day, they all gather for a Christmas Scavenger Hunt because Celeste thinks it could come in handy for trivia. But worst-case scenario, at least they’ll have fun! They split into teams of two, and of course, Celeste and Max team up. She’s shocked to find out that he’s a big reader—and it turns out this is the reason they don’t win the hunt. But she’s actually okay with it.

It’s time for the next round, and they CRUSH IT! The team morale is at an all-time high, and Max and Celeste aren't tired at all. So, she takes him stargazing, and they have the best time.

The good times keep rolling—at one point, they even hold hands. But they lose track of time. They’re rushing back for trivia when they have to swerve out of the way of some reindeer and end up with a flat tire. While waiting for a mechanic, Celeste snaps at Max for how they’ve lost focus on what's important. They make it back just in time for trivia—but not in time to save their first-place standing. They fall back to third.

The next day, Celeste tries to get in touch with Max but can’t reach him. She assumes he’s mad at her. It turns out his phone broke, and he spent Christmas Eve trying to find a replacement. They make up and share a big kiss.

They arrive just in time for the final round, and thanks to Max actually studying, the team ends up winning! Everyone celebrates by kissing.

The provost speaks with Celeste and tells her that her new telescope has been approved—thanks to the money the football team brought in this year. Maybe football isn’t so bad after all. Max and Celeste agree to participate in trivia again next year, sealing it with a kiss.