CONTENTS

24 The NFL: The First Week Back
Before their Sunday game Miami and Buffalo were unbeaten and untied, but during it they were unbearable
by Paul Zimmerman

It was a lucky strike for the 49ers, who rebounded from their 0-2 September mark with a romp at St. Louis
by John Papanek 28

The ship was sailing again, at last, but the Vikings foundered against Green Bay
by Ahmad Rashad as told to Frank Deford 30

42 College Basketball 1982-83
It will be a testy season because 12 major conferences are trying out new rules intended to increase scoring
by Jack McCallum

SI offers its picks for the expanded NCAA tournament, with scouting reports on the Top 20 teams and a look at the Rest of the Best 50

When irresistible Ralph Sampson meets immovable Patrick Ewing, something really has got to give
by Curry Kirkpatrick 76

Experts believe freshman Cheryl Miller of top-rated Southern Cal may well be the best woman player ever
by Roger Jackson 90

Spud Webb of Midland College, the defending junior college champ, is only 5'6", but plays as if he's 6'6"
by Rick Telander 92

102 Long Ago, He Won the Big One
The NCAA title that he attained last season wasn't North Carolina Coach Dean Smith's most important victory
by Frank Deford

DEPARTMENTS

Scorecard 19
College Football 99
For The Record 127
19th Hole 128

Credits on page 127

Cover photograph by Ronald C. Modra