November 3, 2008 Table Of Contents
SI Players: LIFE ON AND OFF THE FIELD
Maybe it's just a syzygy, but smart schools are winning like never before
By Mark Bechtel
Edited by Mark Bechtel, Stephen Cannella AND Kostya Kennedy
Edited by Mark Bechtel, Stephen Cannella AND Kostya Kennedy
Is Zenyatta or Curlin the Horse of the Year?
By Mark Beech
Why do 40,000 choose to run a marathon?
Edited by Mark Bechtel, Stephen Cannella AND Kostya Kennedy
What to watch and watch for
By Sarah Kwak
Sports Illustrated Kids: Sports Kid of the Year
Edited by Mark Bechtel, Stephen Cannella AND Kostya Kennedy
By Dan Patrick
Some refs can't help getting in the game
Edited by Mark Bechtel, Stephen Cannella AND Kostya Kennedy
World Series
Dear America, Wish You Were Here
The Phillies and the Rays played long ball and small ball, had plenty of close calls, even rain and drama long after last call in the latest Fall Classic to open its doors to the game's upwardly mobile. So, where were you?
By Tom Verducci
The Hot Stove Season is upon us. Here are five radical--but inspired--moves that would give the off-season some sizzle
By Joe Sheehan
Pro Football
Tabbed by many in the preseason as a Super Bowl favorite, the star-studded Dallas Cowboys instead find themselves in a week-to-week struggle just to keep their postseason hopes alive
By Peter King
The reigning champion Giants made a lasting impression with a hard-hitting, come-from-behind victory in hostile Pittsburgh
By Jim Trotter
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
During Penn State's run to No. 3 the offense got the glory, but against Ohio State the guys on the other side of the ball saved the day and gave the Nittany Lions a clear shot at the BCS title game
CRICKET
Ten years ago cricket was an exotic fringe sport in the U.S. But thanks to a surge of new immigrants--and to elite players who follow the money and go to bat for more than one team--it's coming to a field near you
Indiana Basketball
Taking over a program that imploded under Kelvin Sampson, the sanguine new coach sends a message of hope and patience (heavy on the patience) to frustrated Hoosiers faithful
Inside
The numbers show that a weak October haunts teams that have Stanley Cup ambitions--bad news for the Ducks
By Sarah Kwak
Pierre McGuire's In The Crease
Stewart Mandel's Three-Point Stance
A lost weekend for front-runners Pitt and South Florida left the Big East with no team worthy of its BCS berth
By Mark Beech
The Favre-Millen affair lifted a veil on info sharing--and raises questions about who should be talking to whom
By Jim Trotter
In the volatile NFL, change can come quickly. Some of these players got off the deck, others took a fall
By David Sabino
The current format has drained all the drama from the Chase for the Cup, but a few tweaks could rev it right up
After a distinguished 49-year career, Arizona coach Lute Olson abruptly retired, leaving the Wildcats to rebuild
By Grant Wahl