Lineup

FEATURES

COLLEGEFOOTBALL

42 The BuckeyesHave It
No. 1 Ohio State edged No. 2 Michigan, but the two teams could meet again
by Austin Murphy

46 BoSchembechler
No man loomed larger in Ann Arbor
by Tim Layden

PRO FOOTBALL

48 Two Tough
Here's where the Bears' stifling D comes from, how it works—and how to beatit
by Tim Layden

PROBASKETBALL

54 Quirk Study
Clippers center Chris Kaman is often reduced to his eccentricities, but there'smore to his story—and to his $52 million contract
by Richard Hoffer

MOTOR SPORTS

58 At Last
A gritty racer under all that corporate polish, Jimmie Johnson won his firstNextel Cup points title
by Lars Anderson

PREVIEW

High SchoolBasketball

The determinationof his three brothers ensured that one Chicago guard didn't get sidetracked
BY GEORGE DOHRMANN, p. 64

•SI's PreseasonTop 20

•No. 1's fromevery state

Departments

6 Leading Off

12 Letters

15 Air andSpace
From golf to tennis to beach volleyball, fatigue is becoming a tired excuse bySteve Rushin

16 Scorecard
In praise of Roger Federer
Floyd Landis mounts his defense

28 Faces in theCrowd

31 Players

84 Life ofReilly
Here's to the dodos who ban tag, threaten coaches and penalize kids who donateblood by Rick Reilly

Inside ...

76 The NFL
The rise of Tony Romo
Larry Johnson wears down D's

79 CollegeFootball
Bold moves pay off for the Hogs
Big buildup for USC--Notre Dame

83 The NHL
The return of Dominik Hasek

Cover
PHOTOGRAPH BY BOB ROSATO
INSET PHOTOS: Tony Tomsic (Schembechler); Damian Strohmeyer (Urlacher); RobertLaberge/Getty Images (Johnson); Michael J. Lebrecht II/1Deuce3 (Rose); LisaBlumenfeld/Getty Images (Tomlinson)

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> > PROFOOTBALL

When the Ravenschose Adalius Thomas (left) in the sixth round of the 2000 draft, the odds wereagainst his remaining in the NFL. Today, however, he's the most versatiledefender in the league, lining up at end, tackle, linebacker, cornerback andsafety—sometimes all in the same game. Read more about his amazing trek anddevelopment in this week's Bonus at SI.com/nfl.

> > ANDTHE WINNER IS

Terrell Owensbeat out Rafael Palmeiro and a pair of Panthers cheerleaders in 2005 forSI.com's eighth annual Turkey of the Year award. But T.O. has strongercompetition this time, led by the Detroit Lions' assistant coach caught drivingin the nude. Find out the winner of this year's dubious distinction as well asthe rest of the top 10 at SI.com/photos.

> >SPORTSMAN

Barbaro (left)tugged at our hearts. The late, great Buck O'Neil charmed us with his grace andhumility. And who wasn't touched by Ray Ray McElrathbey, the Clemson defensiveback who took temporary custody of his younger brother? Go to SI.com/sportsmanto read essays on these and others who are worthy of the 2006 Sportsman of theYear award, which will be announced in the Dec. 11 issue of SI.

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PHOTO

JASON PARKHURST/US PRESSWIRE (MONTOYA)

58 BLAZING START The Nextel Cup debut of former F/1 star Juan Pablo Montoya ended in the 252nd lap on Sunday after he hit the wall during the Ford 400 in Miami. Montoya was unhurt.

PHOTO

MICHAEL J. LEBRECHT II/1DEUCE3 PHOTOGRAPHY (ROSE)

DERRICK ROSE

PHOTO

AL TIELEMANS (ROMO)

76 TONY AWARD After dealing the Colts their first loss of the season in just his fourth NFL start, Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo danced off the field in Dallas.

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AL TIELEMANS (THOMAS)

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BILL FRAKES (BARBARO)

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