Did the Earth Move for You? (1991) (which Missy wanted to watch) did in fact air opposite a Monday Night Football game featuring the Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Redskins (which George and Georgie wanted to watch).
The aerial view of the "East Texas Tech" campus is actually University of Maryland College Park.
Actress Melanie Lynskey, who plays Sheldon's vexing philosophy teacher, was Sheldon's age at the time the story takes place.
In the scene in the psychology professor's office, the actors Iain Armitage and Melanie Lynskey don't seem to be in the scene together. You see a boy from behind, facing Ms. Lynskey. Then the camera faces Armitage and you see a bit of dark hair and similar clothing that Ms. Lynskey is wearing, from behind her. Doubles appear to have been used, and the actors are not in the room together.