CONTENTS

BOOM AND DOOM 20

Oklahoma arrived in Lincoln an underdog but beat Nebraska 17-7 and became the undisputed No. 1 team
by Rick Telander

For the third time in 31 years The Game was for The Title, and Harvard beat Yale for the Ivy League crown
by Jill Lieber

USC rocked UCLA 17-13 to win a share of the Pac-10 title and get a pass to Pasadena on New Year's Day
by Ralph Wiley

CLASSIC FIT FOR AN OLD SHOE 36
In the $3 million Breeders' Cup Classic, Bill Shoemaker hustled Ferdinand to a sizzling win over Alysheba
by William Nack

SEASON FOR NO REASON 44
The late, unlamented NFL players' strike has made this year in professional football a most forgettable one
by Rick Reilly

A TIME FOR HEELING 50
North Carolina overcame tragedy, turmoil and the No. 1 Syracuse Orangemen 96-93 in the Tip-Off Classic
by Alexander Wolff

NOW YOU SEE HIM 67
The Chicago Bulls' Scottie Pippen has leaped from obscurity to become one of the NBA's leading rookies
by Bruce Newman

WHISTLING A NEW TUNE 72
After six seasons as a designated hockey tough, Paul Stewart is the last guy you would expect to be an NHL ref
by Morin Bishop

BURSTING FROM THE SHADOWS 94
With his prodigious record in the 100, Ben Johnson established himself as the fastest human in history
by Kenny Moore

DEPARTMENTS

Letters 6
Scorecard 15
College Football 81
Boxing 89
Tennis 92
For The Record 109
Point After 110

Cover Photograph by John Biever; Inset by Manny Millan

PHOTO

RICH CLARKSON

SOONER OR LATER: Though Oklahoma trailed 7-0 at halftime, coach Barry Switzer said the right things to rally his troops, who beat Nebraska 17-7 and cemented their claim to being No. 1 (page 20).