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The GreatDebate

The argument overconference superiority among fans of the SEC, Pac-10, ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 andBig East only intensified after Florida's rout of Ohio State in the 2006 BCStitle game. This week, SI.com writer Stewart Mandel creates a Conference PowerIndex to settle the debate. Plus ...
• Reports from the Florida, Pittsburgh and West Virginia preseason camps
• Photo galleries of players from each conference, including QB Tim Tebow

FOR MORE COLLEGEFOOTBALL COMMENTARY AND NEWS DAILY, GO TO SI.COM/CFB

BEIJING 2008

Olympic Diary
SI.com's team of writers, reporters and editors in China provides snapshotsevery day about not only the Games but local culture as well. In the Scenesfrom Beijing blog you can read about the best restaurants and shopping, get afeel for the high-speed trains, go behind the scenes at the Olympic Village andgain an insider's view of the press box.

> Check outSI.com's Beijing photo galleries at SI.com/photos.

Gold Standard
This week 18-year-old Nastia Liukin and reigning world champion Shawn Johnsoncompete for the women's gymnastics all-around gold; Michael Phelps continueshis assault on the record book; and Tyson Gay of the U.S. could race Jamaica'sUsain Bolt for the title of World's Fastest Man in the 100-meter final. SI.comhas complete coverage of all the events. Check out original content from 15writers along with daily photo galleries and our live medal tracker.

> For breakingOlympics news, go to SI.com/olympics.

FROM SPORTSILLUSTRATED
AUG. 13, 2007

SI writer ChrisBallard witnessed Barry Bonds slam the home run that tied Hank Aaron's alltimerecord of 755.

AFTER THE game, ata press conference, Bonds gave the equivalent of an Oscar speech, thankingeveryone from his family to "all athletes everywhere." He lookedrelieved and, in an emotion we are not accustomed to from this surly man,almost ecstatic. With family in tow, he left the conference near midnight andtook an elevator down to the parking garage in the basement of Petco Park,where he hugged friends and family and received congratulations from a fewPadres players. You could see how, already, Bonds had changed. It was there, inthe way he accepted their accolades, with shoulders back and a presidentialsmile, one arm extended to grab a shoulder: The new home run king had alreadyaccepted his crown. Whether others would recognize his claim to the throne,whether we would validate it—that remained to be seen.

> Check outthe latest classic SI story at SI.com/classic, and for your favorite storiesand covers, go to SI.com/vault.

Cover
PHOTOGRAPH BY SIMON BRUTY

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BOB ROSATO (TEBOW)

ON TOP Can Tebow win two straight Heismans?

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BRAD MANGIN (SI COVER)

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PETER READ MILLER (LIUKIN)

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NIR ELIAS/REUTERS (CHINA)

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