Week Ahead
THURSDAY 12/6
College FootballAwards
If Heisman is Oscar, then consider this awards show (with—no joke—a red carpet)college football's Golden Globes. Nine trophies, including the Maxwell Award,which is given to the best all-around player, will be presented in Orlando, twodays before the Heisman winner is announced (Saturday at 8 p.m. on ESPN). Goodnews for the two Maxwell losers (Oregon's Dennis Dixon, Darren McFadden ofArkansas and Florida's Tim Tebow are the finalists): No player has won bothawards since Wisconsin's Ron Dayne in 1999.
ESPN 7:30 p.m.
FRIDAY 12/7
Women's SoccerCollege Cup
Of the four No. 1 seeds, only UCLA made it to the Final Four in CollegeStation, Texas. Perennial power North Carolina fell to Notre Dame, Stanfordlost to Connecticut, and Penn State was upset by West Virginia. After defeatingPortland 3--2 last Friday, the Bruins, led by Hermann Trophy semifinalistLauren Cheney (left), look like a good bet to win their first nationalchampionship. They'll play USC; Notre Dame meets Florida State in the othergame.
Semifinals ESPN2 5 p.m.; Final Sunday ESPN2 2 p.m.
Jazz at Spurs
Carlos Boozer is leading Utah with 25.4 points and 11.2 boards per game, buthe's getting help. Four of his teammates are scoring in double figures, makingthe Jazz the third-highest-scoring team in the league. Second-year swingmanRonnie Brewer (right), who averaged 4.6 points as a rookie, is now putting up13.7 per game.
ESPN 9:30 p.m.
TUESDAY 12/11
Penguins atFlyers
Philadelphia center Danny Briere has scored a point in each of his last fivegames (five goals, five assists) as the Flyers have taken over the top spot inthe Atlantic. It's a nice streak, but it's not likely to impress Pittsburghcenter Sidney Crosby—the 20-year-old captain scored in 19 straight, a stringthat was finally snapped on Nov. 21.
Versus 7 p.m.
In stores EA SportsMarch Madness 08
So how would thetwo-time defending champ Florida Gators stack up against the Fab Five or BillWalton's UCLA teams? Now you can find out. In addition to 41 classic teams, thegame features alltime all-star squads for 33 schools.
SI PICK OF THEWEEK
SUNDAY 12/9
Steelers atPatriots
New England's high-powered offense meets its toughest challenge of the year.Before the season Pittsburgh took a gamble by cutting linebacker Joey Porterand giving his job to James Harrison (above), who was his backup for fiveyears. It's worked out O.K.: Harrison leads the team in sacks and tackles. Hiscoming-out party was last month's dismantling of the Ravens, in which he had 31/2 sacks, two forced fumbles and a pick. "I haven't seen anyone play agame like that since high school," linebacker Larry Foote marveled.
CBS 4 p.m.
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MICHAEL FABUS/WIREIMAGE.COM (HARRISON)
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EA SPORTS (GAME)
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NOAH GRAHAM/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES (BREWER)
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SCOTT CHANDLER (CHENEY)