September 19, 2011 Table Of Contents
LEADING OFF
Inside: THE WEEK IN SPORTS
Despite obvious advantages, UCLA hasn't been good since the 1990s. Here's why
STEWART MANDEL'S: EXTRA POINTS
The Longhorns benched their starting quarterback, alternated two others and, in the process, finally discovered a way to pull out a close win
In a year of mostly ho-hum pennant races, the three-man chase for the top pitching honor in the NL brings welcome drama to the stretch run
By Joe Sheehan
Houston's new scheme requires Mario Williams to rise up out of his three-point stance and play as a linebacker, a role he's settling into
By Jim Trotter
By Peter King
Now that the first games are in the books, it's time to make a few minor adjustments
By David Sabino
THE RYAN BROTHERS
They're big, they're brash, and they live for the game. The Ryan twins—Rex of the Jets and Rob of the Cowboys—set the tone for the NFL season with a wild opening-week showdown
By Lee Jenkins
NFL OPENERS
Infusing new blood into the league's fiercest rivalry, the Ravens demolished the Steelers and changed the balance of power in the AFC. Evolution? In the NFL, you'd better believe
By Damon Hack
Packing some scary new firepower, the Super Bowl champions look even more dangerous this time around
By Peter King
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Here are the games and the names that fans should keep an eye on in Week 3
BASEBALL
Justin Verlander is in that career sweet spot—he's young enough to pump 100-mph gas, old enough to know when to throttle back. The result: a season MVP voters can't ignore
By Ben Reiter
BOXING
As he prepares to return to the ring, against Victor Ortiz, Floyd Mayweather Jr. faces a family feud, felony charges, multiple lawsuits and the unthinkable possibility of defeat
By Chris Mannix
Floyd Mayweather's handpicked opponent Victor Ortiz has already faced far bigger challenges
By Chris Mannix
TENNIS
Before Samantha Stosur and Novak Djokovic won the U.S. Open singles titles, rain and schedule changes pushed players to the breaking point, and an umpire's call sent Serena Williams beyond it
By S.L. Price
NASCAR 2011
JUNIOR JOHNSON HAS A LOT TO SAY, YES
On the eve of the most competitive Chase yet, NASCAR's old hero holds forth on the state of the sport he and his rivals created. Buckle up
When the Chase goes green on Sunday, one man will be aiming for a sixth straight title, and the rest of the strongest field yet will be out to stop him. Here's how they'll stand when the final checkered flag flies at Homestead on Nov. 20
POINT AFTER
By Phil Taylor
Departments
In the wake of a tragedy the NHL's players confront their worst fears about leaving North America for Russia and the easy-money KHL
Tracing the week's news both inside and outside the confines of cool
In Week 1 the NFL offered touching tributes before providing sweet escape from 9/11
By Ben Reiter
Surfing's world tour takes a chance on the East Coast and makes a big splash
Edited by Alexandra Fenwick
By Dan Patrick