Week Ahead
SATURDAY 11/26
Merrill Lynch Skins Game
Tiger Woods may be the world's top player, but when it comes to the Skins Game, you get ready for Freddy. Last year Fred Couples (left) edged Woods in sudden death to win his second consecutive Skins Game title and run his career haul in the tournament to $3.5 million--a little more than Lee Trevino won in his entire career on the PGA Tour. ABC 1 p.m.
No. 23 Florida State at No. 19
Florida Try as they might, the Seminoles just couldn't give away the ACC Atlantic division title. Florida State lost its last two conference games, but a 5-3 ACC record was good enough for a spot in the Dec. 3 title game. To avoid going into that game on a three-game slide, they'll have to beat the equally lackluster Gators. CBS 3:30 p.m.
SUNDAY 11/27
Nets at Lakers
Safe bet: Kobe Bryant is going to get his shots. The NBA's leading scorer (33.0 points per game) has hoisted at least 25 shots in nine of his 10 games this year. When the starting lineup also includes Chris Mihm and Smush Parker, that's not such a bad strategy. Check listings 9:30 p.m.
Total Access Ohio State
Wondering what the Hamm twins are up to? Gold-medal-winning gymnast Paul and his brother, Morgan, discuss life as students in Columbus. Also in this 30-minute program: Two-time Heisman winner Archie Griffin bashes Michigan, and viewers are given a tour of the country's largest natatorium. CSTV 8:30 p.m.
MONDAY 11/28
Steelers at Colts
Playing in traffic might be safer than playing QB for the Steelers. Injuries to Ben Roethlisberger (knee) and Charlie Batch (finger) forced Pittsburgh to turn to Tommy Maddox (left) in Sunday's loss to the Ravens. Good news: Roethlisberger could be back to face the 10-0 Colts. ABC 9 p.m.
TUESDAY 11/29
SI PICK OF THE WEEK
Blazer-ing a Trail
It's now a rhetorical question: Are you ready for some football? Of course we are. But 35 years ago, when Monday nights were ruled by Gunsmoke and Carol Burnett, it wasn't a given that football would draw prime-time viewers. MNF became a ratings giant, though, thanks to visionary producer Roone Arledge and broadcasters Howard Cosell, Don Meredith and Frank Gifford (above, from left), who simultaneously informed and infuriated. A segment of Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel examines the success of the second-longest-running show on prime time. HBO 9 p.m.
WEDNESDAY 11/30
No. 1 Duke at Indiana
A matchup with the country's top team isn't what Hoosiers coach Mike Davis, who is feeling the heat after going .500 over the past two seasons, needs right now. He'll hope a couple of Auburn transfers--forward Marco Killingsworth (right) and guard Lewis Monroe--can provide an instant upgrade. ESPN 9 p.m.
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ABC PHOTO ARCHIVES (MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL)
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A.J. MAST/ICON SMI (KILLINGSWORTH)
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CHRIS BERNACCHI/SPORTPICS (MADDOX)
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STEVE GRAYSON/WIREIMAGE.COM (COUPLES)