Week Ahead
SATURDAY 11/10
Sony Ericsson WTA Championship
Ailing Venus Williams pulled out of the season-ending event last week, allowing Maria Sharapova into the field for the fourth straight year. But getting past the round-robin stage will be a challenge for the former champ. Shara-pova has defeated only one of the other seven players in the field this season (Russia's Anna Chakvetadze).
Versus 4 p.m.
SUNDAY 11/11
No. 12 Arizona State at No. 8 North Carolina
While the top men's teams ease into their seasons with gimme games, the women are getting right to the marquee matchups. The Tar Heels will rely on senior forward Erlana Larkins (left) as they host the Sun Devils in the State Farm Tip-Off Classic. The second game features No. 4 Maryland and No. 6 Oklahoma.
ESPN 2:30 p.m.; ESPN2 5 p.m.
MONDAY 11/12
Family Feud: NBA Players vs. NBA Mothers Week
Grant Hill, Chris Bosh, Dwight Howard (below), Cuttino Mobley, Richard Jefferson and David Lee team up to play the Feud against their moms. The weeklong special has some head-scratching responses and a few embarrassing moments. When asked, "Name a magazine you sneak a peek at when nobody's looking," Howard looks at his mom and says, "Pass." Survey says: Awkward.
Check listings
TUESDAY 11/13
Michigan vs. Ohio State: The Rivalry
With the 104th gridiron meeting between the schools set for Nov. 17, what better way to prepare yourself than to watch this documentary, which features lots of fighting words from fans. Example: "How do you get an OSU grad off your porch? You pay him for the pizza." "Have you been to Michigan? The entire state smells like hot dog water." We never said they were sophisticated words.
HBO 10:30 p.m.
Red Wings at Blues
Left wing Henrik Zetterberg (left) is off to the hottest start in Red Wings history. He's had a point in each of Detroit's 14 games, topping the NHL with 24 points and 12 goals.
Versus 7:30 p.m.
SI PICK OF THE WEEK
SUNDAY 11/11
Cowboys at Giants
Now that the Patriots have settled the question of who's the best team in the AFC (page 34), it's time to sort things out atop the NFC. Dallas (7--1) beat New York (6--2) in their first matchup, winning a 45--35 shootout as Tony Romo (left) and Eli Manning (right) each threw for more than 300 yards and four TDs. Last week the Cowboys gave Romo a $67.5 million extension—not bad for a guy who went undrafted. Owner Jerry Jones also tossed in some free advice for his QB, who has been linked to Carrie Underwood, Jessica Simpson and Britney Spears: "I tell you this, Tony, sometimes, they can smell fresh cash."
Fox 4:15 p.m.
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GREG NELSON (ROMO)
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AL TIELEMANS (MANNING)
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DAVID E. KLUTHO (ZETTERBERG)
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FREMANTLE MEDIA (FAMILY FEUD)
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LOU CAPOZZOLA (LARKINS)