Week Ahead

What to watch and watch for

THURSDAY10/12

No. 22 VirginiaTech at Boston College

With itstraditional powers struggling-Florida State and Miami are out of the Top 25-theACC's BCS berth could come down to these two former Big East powers. The 4-1Eagles have a suspect pass defense (109th in the country), so expect SeanGlennon (above) to test it. The Hokies' QB has completed passes of 40 or moreyards to six receivers this season. ESPN 7:30 p.m.

FRIDAY 10/13

MidnightMadness

What better dayfor Midnight Madness than Friday the 13th? The insanity begins a little earlierin most places: Last year the NCAA allowed schools to start at 7 p.m. on theeve of the first official day of practice. But take heart, creatures of thenight. Some schools-such as Indiana and George Mason-still start late at nightin front of raucous crowds. ESPNU 10:30 p.m.; CSTV 11 p.m.

No. 6 NorthDakota at No. 1 Wisconsin When you open a season with nine freshmen on theroster, rebuilding would usually be your buzzword. Not in Wisconsin. Thedefending national champs may be a little green, but they still have seniorBrian Elliot (above) between the pipes. The Hobey Baker finalist had eightshutouts last season and led the nation with a 1.55 GAA. The Fighting Sioux,meanwhile, return 19 players from last year's Frozen Four team and boast 11 NHLdraft picks. CSTV 8:30 p.m.

SATURDAY10/14

Sakio Bika vs.Joe Calzaghe

After a record 18successful WBO super middleweight title defenses, Calzaghe has finally made thebig time. The Welshman (41-0) will be introduced by Michael Buffer when hedefends his belt against Bika (20-1-2) in Manchester. HBO 11 p.m.

WEDNESDAY10/18

The NatalieGulbis Show

And you thoughtJohn Daly would be the first golfer with a reality show. LPGA star Gulbis(left) is the subject of an eight-episode reality series that takes viewersbehind the scenes with the 23-year-old at tournaments, photo shoots andworkouts. Golf Channel 9 p.m.

SI PICK OF THEWEEK
MONDAY 10/16

Card Dealer

Arizona's MattLeinart (page 66) became the first QB to throw a TD pass against the Chiefsthis year when he hooked up with big-play specialist Anquan Boldin (above,left) on a 49-yarder in Sunday's 23-20 loss. He'll have an even sterner test inhis second pro start when the Cards host Chicago: The Bears are fifth in theNFL in pass D and are tied for fourth with seven interceptions. Ricky ManningJr. (above, right) had one of Chicago's three picks in Sunday's 40-7 drubbingof the Bills, giving him three in his first five games. ESPN 8:30 p.m.

SIX PHOTOS

LEE COLEMAN/WIREIMAGE.COM (GLENNON); PARAMOUNT PICTURES/PHOTOFEST (JASON); U W ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS (ELLIOT); BRIAN BAHR/GETTY IMAGES (BOLDIN); BRIAN SPURLOCK/US PRESSWIRE (MANNING); PRESTON C. MACK/GOLFWEEK/REDUX (GULBIS)