October 29, 2007 Table Of Contents
SI Players: LIFE ON AND OFF THE FIELD
A Connecticut pool powerhouse hasn't lost in 21 years
By Joe Lemire
Can Nebraska hero Tom Osborne restore the Cornhuskers to glory?
By Mark Bechtel
As told to Ben Reiter
With the Boss no longer in power, the Yankees are scrambling to fill the void
By Tom Verducci
Jumping boxes helps NFL safety Adrian Wilson build power and speed
By Ben Reiter
You're a Good Sport, Charlie Brown
A new biography of Charles Schulz shows the athletic leanings of the Peanuts gang
A neon hue is all the rage in Seattle
By Adam Duerson
What to watch and watch for
By Sarah Kwak
SI Fantasy Plus
These players will be among the first picked at their positions next year
By Adam Duerson
WE LIKE THE MATCHUP
By David Sabino
WE DON'T LIKE THE MATCHUP
By David Sabino
SI Bonus Section: Golf Plus
A Comeback by Mike Weir Underscored This Point: There's a Lot of Life in a Season Left for Dead
Four weeks after his confidence-boosting win over Tiger, Mike Weir reaffirms that he's a match for any player
Tiger text files to inspire O'Meara
By Jim Gorant
By Mark Wood
By Rick Lipsey
Spelling out the steps Michelle Wie must take to succeed
WORLD SERIES PREVIEW
The wait is finally over for the amazing Rockies, who, after enduring the longest-ever layoff between playoff series, face their most formidable opponent yet in the Red Sox. Behind Josh Beckett, the best postseason pitcher of his generation, Boston is in the midst of an October surge of its own
By Tom Verducci
Their regular-season records suggest a vast disparity, but the Rockies and the Red Sox share plenty of similarities
By Joe Sheehan, Baseball Prospectus
College Football
With a more relaxed coach Gary Pinkel loosening the reins, Missouri has a newfound swagger, scoring points in bunches and showing it can play a little defense too
NHL
... Islanders left wing Chris Simon is horrid: a stick-swinging recidivist who drew a 25-game ban for slashing an opponent's face. So why do so many players—and his beloved coach—stand by him?
PRO FOOTBALL
Like their brethren across the league, the Detroit Lions' practice squad players live in a world of blurred lines and constant uncertainty, one step removed from the NFL dream—or from football oblivion
By Lee Jenkins
NBA PREVIEW 2007-08
In a span of 33 days this summer Celtics G.M. Danny Ainge pulled off two megadeals that reversed the course of his stumbling franchise, bringing together three All-Stars who have Boston thinking championship again. Here's how he did it
By Ian Thomsen
The commissioner must take stronger measures to regain the public's trust after the Tim Donaghy debacle
Inch by Inch: The Alltime, All-Size All-Stars
Who's the best at every height? Pro, college, men and women all included. Is it Bird or Magic? Elgin or Oscar? Shaq or Wilt? Calvin Murphy or Sue Bird?
Forget the All-Stars. Their season ultimately depends on a green point guard
By Chris Mannix
The veteran core is recommitted--and relieved to see new juice on the bench
A breakout star at forward will try to become a nightmare matchup at guard
In fighting trim, an aging Shaq is out to show he's still able after a season of lows
By Marty Burns
A second-year guard works to prove that his playoff heroics were no fluke
Yet another big talent is added, but this one will get the club back to the playoffs
By Chris Mannix
This high-scoring bunch hopes to surprise by putting more emphasis on defense
By Marty Burns
If the Euro vet has a good leg to stand on, playoff hopes will be just as strong
By Chris Mannix
A healthy big man is needed to balance the vaunted perimeter attack
By Chris Mannix
It's what's up front--a high-scoring vet joining a young All-Star--that counts
By Marty Burns
The No. 1 pick of '05 is bigger and wiser, but he still has a lot to prove. Just ask him
New coach, new offense--but most likely similar results for this team in transition
NCAA champion will provide physical play. But wins? Later, Gator
By Marty Burns
A young club looks to a veteran guard who's not afraid to take the big shots
By Marty Burns
An inexperienced team has a lot of growing to do before it can contend again
By Chris Mannix
No more setbacks for this favorite, which finally will be the last one standing
By Gene Menez
Only one man can push the champs to greater glory: their globe-trotting guard
By Gene Menez
An unhappy All-Star could upset the balance of a team that has designs on a title
A talented lineup that's ready for a deep playoff run will rely on a maturing star
At long last, from Argentina, comes a power forward who complements Yao
By Gene Menez
This point guard won't settle for second best--from himself or from his team
Starting anew as captain, this Jack vows to be as nimble as he was last spring
The recovery of their three-point shooter has them thinking postseason
By Gene Menez
Will their young center mature into the Kobe-approved player he needs to be?
A streaky guard becomes the key to the playoff hopes of a banged-up club
Top-to-bottom changes soothe a franchise player who wants to win--now
By Gene Menez
An odd choice of coaches won't stop the slide of this once-proud franchise
A wait-till-next-year club will start laying the foundation for the future
A new coach and two talented draft picks give hope to a team in transition
Becoming the next franchise icon is way too much to ask of this 22-year-old
NBA PREVIEW: 2007-08
Who's getting hardware, who's getting dealt and what to keep an eye on this season
By Ian Thomsen
Inside
By Gene Menez
By Jim Trotter
By Peter King
By Sarah Kwak
By Mark Beech
Life of Reilly
By Rick Reilly
Departments
For SI senior writer Jack McCallum, the NBA has evolved into a year-round beat
By Ben Reiter