Week Ahead
SATURDAY11/11
No. 21 Oregon atNo. 7 USC
The last time the Trojans played a team from the Beaver State, USC's 27-gameconference winning streak was snapped. (Oregon State won 33--31 on Oct. 28.)That loss put a serious dent in the Pac-10 title aspirations of theTrojans—they're a game behind Cal, whom they play on Nov. 18. To keep its BCSbowl hopes alive, USC will have to slow the nation's fifth-best offense. Checklistings 10:15 p.m.
Sabres atFlyers
If you like goals, this game is probably for you. Buffalo is great at scoringthem, and Philadelphia is great at conceding them. Their last meeting, on Oct.17, ended in a 9--1 Sabres' rout that was followed by three Flyers beingwaived, coach Ken Hitchcock's getting fired and the resignation of G.M. BobbyClarke. Buffalo leads the NHL with 4.21 goals per game and didn't lose a gamein regulation until last Saturday—its 13th game of the year. Check listings 7p.m.
SUNDAY 11/12
Bears atGiants
Despite the best efforts of Brian Urlacher (left), the Bears' bubble burst onSunday when they suffered their first loss of the year, 31--17 to the Dolphins.Middle linebacker Urlacher anchors what is still the NFC's stingiest defense(12.5 points per game), and he's being touted in the Windy City as an MVPcandidate. If he wins, he'll be the first defensive player since LawrenceTaylor in 1986 to do so. NBC 8:15 p.m.
Auto Club NHRAFinals
Tony Schumacher, the first drag racer to break the 330-mph barrier (he did itin 1999), will try for another piece of history at the NHRA season finale inPomona, Calif. Schumacher (below), who hovers just behind leader Doug Kalittain the top fuel division standings, will try to join Joe Amato as the onlydrivers to win three consecutive NHRA titles. ESPN2 7 p.m.
TUESDAY 11/14
On Shelves: 07Seconds or Less
Pro sports teams are increasingly reluctant to grant scribes access, but lastseason the Phoenix Suns allowed SI senior writer Jack McCallum to embed himselfwith the coaching staff. The result is a fascinating fly-on-the-wall look athow coach Mike D'Antoni and his staff led an injury-plagued team to the WesternConference Finals.
SI PICK OF THEWEEK
SATURDAY11/11
High-InterestBout
As pugilistic nicknames go, the Boxing Banker doesn't inspire as much fear as,say, Steelhammer (current IBF heavyweight titleholder Wladimir Klitschko). Butthe moniker has served Calvin Brock well. Brock, who is 29--0 and holds adegree in finance from UNC-Charlotte, will try to deposit a few big punches onKlitschko (46--3) at Madison Square Garden as the Ukrainian makes his firsttitle defense. Even if Brock (left, with Zuri Lawrence) doesn't come away withthe belt, his savings account will get a nice boost: He's being paid a reported$1.2 million for the fight.
HBO 10 p.m.
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ERIC JAMISON/AP (BROCK)
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ERICK W. RASCO (BOOK)
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KEN SKLUTE-RACERSEDGEPHOTOGRAPHY/AP (SCHUMACHER)
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BILL FRAKES (URLACHER)