The Week Ahead

What to watch and watch for

FRIDAY 10

Wizards at Rapids 9:30 p.m. | Kansas City tops the Western Conference, but that's not saying much--it's just six points ahead of last-place Dallas. Forwards Davy Arnaud (third in MLS, with 25 points) and Josh Wolff (sixth, with 22 points) lead the Wizards' attack.

SATURDAY 11

Chevy Rock and Roll 400 TNT 7:30 p.m. | The final race before NASCAR's new playoff system, the Chase for the Nextel Cup, begins. Mississippi at Nebraska ABC Noon | New coach Bill Callahan introduces run-loving Huskers fans to the West Coast offense.

SUNDAY 12

Bucs at Redskins FOX 1 p.m. | Joe Gibbs, who coached the Skins to three Super Bowls wins in the 1980s and '90s, and new running back Clinton Portis make their FedEx Field debuts. NBA Inside Stuff ABC 12:30 p.m. | The 15th season begins with a look at the 2004 Olympics.

MONDAY 13

Pat Croce: Moving In Check local listings | The peppy former 76ers owner and president turned self-help author moves in with folks and helps them solve their personal problems--everything from drug addictions to relationship woes. Oprah this ain't.

TUESDAY 14

World Cup of Hockey Final ESPN2 7 p.m. | The new trophy may outshine the winner. Architect Frank Gehry, 75, an avid fan who works out with the L.A. Kings, says of his urethane creation, "The light catches the trophy the same way it catches ice. Ice was the metaphor here."

WEDNESDAY 15

SportsCentury: 1999 Ryder Cup ESPNClassic 10 p.m. | We can only hope that this year's event, which tees off Friday, will be as exciting as the U.S.'s comeback in '99. Inside the NFL HBO 10 p.m. | Bob Costas, fresh from Athens, returns.

THURSDAY 16

Happy Birthday! Elgin Baylor turns 70. Known as "the man with a thousand moves" as a Hall of Fame player, he's been the man of a thousand mediocre moves as Clippers G.M. Rangers at A's 3:30 p.m. | Oakland's starters are 13-3 since Aug. 14.

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SCOTT D. WEAVER/ICON SMI (ARNAUD)

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WORTH CANOY/ICON SMI (NASCAR)

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RICHARD C. LEWIS/WIREIMAGE.COM (PORTIS)

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CHRIS FARINA/CORBIS (CROCE)

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DAVE SANFORD/WCOH/GETTY IMAGES (TROPHY)

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CRAIG JONES/GETTY IMAGES (GOLFER)

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MEL LEVINE (HAT); NICK UT/AP (BAYLOR)