September 21, 2009 Table Of Contents
GOLF PLUS
After Tiger Woods took all the suspense out of who would walk away with the third leg of the FedEx Cup playoffs, the BMW Championship really got interesting
The American romp at Merion inspired visions of a U.S. Open to come
LEADING OFF
Inside: THE WEEK IN SPORTS
After a season lost to a concussion, the Blue Jays' Aaron Hill has come back as the unlikeliest of sluggers
By Ben Reiter
By Joe Sheehan
Surprise, surprise. Run-loving Baltimore suddenly has a passing game and, perhaps, a QB who is ready to lead
By Albert Chen
By Peter King
Who's up, who's down
By David Sabino
The high-scoring Cougars entered the BCS conversation with a stunning victory at No. 5 Oklahoma State
By Mark Beech
Driven by Diana Taurasi and fueled by last season's failures, Phoenix enters the playoffs as the favorite
NFL OPENING WEEKEND
With another tackle-breaking, ankle-snapping performance—180 yards, three TDs and a big W for the Vikings—Adrian Peterson simply confirmed that he's the most formidable force in football
By Damon Hack
The NFC North might have an exciting mix of quarterbacks, but the name of the game is still defense
By Jim Trotter
If the past is any indication, a team that missed the playoffs in 2008 will make it to Miami for Super Bowl XLIV. So who is this year's Arizona? Drew Brees's Saints lead the charge of the dark horses
By Tim Layden
TENNIS
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Game
Kim Clijsters and Juan Martín del Potro won the U.S. Open singles titles after a crazy two weeks that included big upsets, rain delays and a meltdown by Serena Williams
By S.L. Price
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Embattled but unbowed, Rich Rodriguez took a giant step toward returning Michigan to prominence as the Wolverines rallied to beat Notre Dame
Charlie Weis might have been undone by his own play call
By Andy Staples
BASEBALL
Three days in September offered a window into the powers of a pitching savior, who has turned St. Louis into the Lourdes of baseball, a sanctuary where dying arms and careers go to be revived
CHASE PREVIEW
The New CALMER, FRIENDLIER, HAPPIER King of the Hill
Once NASCAR's stormiest soul, Tony Stewart has settled into his new role as a driver-owner, and after finishing the regular season on top of the points, he's ready for all the bumps, bangs and battles of the 10-race finale
Jimmie Johnson is eyeing a historic four-peat, but he faces a field of former champs and proven race winners (including one very hungry, very fast old man). Here are five checkpoints to watch for as the most competitive Chase yet unfolds
By Mark Beech
Point After
Departments
A coach's case for kicking conventional wisdom to the curb
A WNBA trailblazer calls it a career
A move to Canada is the best way to fix the NHL's Phoenix disaster
A former coach predicts where the NFL is headed
By Mark Bechtel
What smart fans should do this week
By Dan Patrick
SI's fearless NFL expert opines on all the latest news, buzz and inside information. This is just a taste of what you'll get online.
By Peter King