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The Week Ahead

What to watch and watch for

FRIDAY 9/2

Yankees at A's

With Oakland in the midst of a slump last week, outfielder Jay Payton (left) said, "We'll be fine. We could wake up tomorrow and start scoring eight runs a game; that's how this game is." He was right. The A's reeled off five straight wins, scoring 56 runs (that's 9.3 per game, better than Payton predicted) and taking first place away from the Angels. They'll have a chance to put up more big numbers against New York's patchwork mound staff, which ranks eighth in the AL in ERA. Marlins castoff Al Leiter (7--10, 5.75 ERA) will take the hill in the first of a three-game set, with Dan Haren (11--10, 3.99) pitching for the A's. FSN 7 p.m.

SATURDAY 9/3

Lawn Mower Racing Championships

The 18-event season comes to an end as more than 100 John Deeres convene at the Richland County Fairgrounds in Mansfield, Ohio, for a two-day showdown to determine national champions in six classes. "From April Fools' Day to Labor Day we've sucked gas and kicked grass," says U.S. Lawn Mower Racing Association president Bruce Kaufman. "The annual end-of-summer Mow Down will determine the nation's best sod warriors."

World Cup Qualifying, U.S. vs. Mexico

The last time the Yanks hosted their rivals, in April 2004, the crowd of 45,000 at the Cotton Bowl was overwhelmingly pulling for los Tricolores. That shouldn't be the case at Columbus Crew Stadium, where the U.S. can clinch a spot in the 2006 World Cup with a win. The teams played in Mexico City on March 27, and the hosts came away with a 2--1 victory--the only game the U.S. has lost in Cup qualifying. Telemundo 7:30 p.m.

SATURDAY 9/3

SI PICK OF THE WEEK

Ready for the Big Time?

Last year Boise State quarterback Jared Zabransky (left) threw for 2,927 yards and ran for another 326, to lead the Broncos to an undefeated regular season, their highest final ranking (No. 12) and a Liberty Bowl berth. This year the junior, one of 16 returning starters for the No. 18 Broncos, has his sights set higher--on a BCS berth. A win on the road against No. 13 Georgia, an SEC powerhouse that hasn't lost a nonconference game at home since 2000, would make quite a statement. To do it, Boise State will have to shut down running back Thomas Brown (right), who was sixth in the SEC with 875 yards as a freshman last year. ESPN 5:30 p.m.

SUNDAY 9/4

AVP Nissan Chicago Open

Two months ago Olympic champs Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor were riding a 50-match winning streak and looked like sure things to win the Nissan Championship Series. Their streak was snapped by Rachel Wacholder and Elaine Youngs, who also beat them last weekend at the Boulder Open--and can snatch the season title with a win on the shores of Lake Michigan. NBC 1:30 p.m.

CMI: The Chris Myers Interview

The first guest on the Emmy winner's new half-hour talk show is controversial Raider Randy Moss (right), who opens up about leaving Minnesota, his relationship with Daunte Culpepper and, yes, his infamous mooning incident. "Controversy has stuck with me over the last three years," says Moss. "It's not something I'm comfortable with, but it's just something I have to deal with." FSN 10:30 p.m.

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PETER READ MILLER (ZABRANSKY)

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BRETT HANSBAUER/US PRESSWIRE (BROWN)

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GREG TROTT/WIREIMAGE.COM (MOSS)

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NEIL TINGLE/ACTION PLUS/ICON SMI (MEXICO SOCCER FANS)

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DENNIS GRUNDMAN/ NORTHERN VIRGINIA DAILY/AP (LAWNMOWER RIDER)

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JOSE CARLOS FAJARDO/ CONTRA COSTA TIMES/ABACA (PAYTON)