January 16, 2012 Table Of Contents
LEADING OFF
GOLF PLUS
Nobody on the PGA Tour hits it farther than star-in-the-making Gary Woodland, but as he begins his third season on the game's biggest stage, he's searching for answers after a business decision cost him the coach who got him this far
Johnny and Sir Nick together are certainly entertaining, but many of us also want an education
Inside: THE WEEK IN SPORTS
Anonymous stars in New York? That's what has lifted the Rangers to the top of the East
PIERRE MCGUIRE'S IN THE CREASE
HOW WILL YOU TURN AROUND YOUR FRANCHISE?
For the 20 NFL teams that didn't make the playoffs, the off-season will still be plenty busy. Here are the priorities for each between now and the April 26--28 draft, in order of selection
By Peter King
After (yet another) one-game ban and a spat that hastened his embattled coach's demise, second-year center DeMarcus Cousins is back in the Sacramento lineup. But how long will he stay there?
By Chris Mannix
SCOUT'S TAKE: PRESSING QUESTIONS
Looming disaster in Boston? Upheaval in Washington? A revival in Indy? SI asked a talent evaluator....
The Dodgers are on the block—bids are due on Jan. 23; a winner will be chosen by April 1—and the market of potential buyers is crowded with marquee names. Here are the contenders
BCS CHAMPIONSHIP
In a defensive tour de force that featured just enough offensive punch (a touchdown, at last!), the Crimson Tide shut down LSU and left no doubt as to whom should be crowned national champion
By Andy Staples
NFL PLAYOFFS: AFC
Some in Denver lost faith after the Broncos fell back to earth with three straight losses. But Tim Tebow never did, and after stunning the Steelers, he leads his flock on to New England
By Damon Hack
PETER KING'S AFC DIVISIONAL-ROUND FORECAST
By Peter King
In the first postseason in franchise history, the Texans are leaning on a tested playoff formula: dominant ground game, dazzling defense
By Ben Reiter
NFL PLAYOFFS: NFC
At home in the dome, with Drew Brees at the controls, the Saints' record-setting offense works like a well-oiled machine. But will the engine stall in the open air of the later rounds?
By Jim Trotter
PETER KING'S NFC DIVISIONAL- ROUND FORECASTS
By Peter King
The Giants' defense, porous for most of the season, got its act together just in time for the playoffs. Note to the Packers: This is not the team you beat last month
By Matt Gagne
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Indiana fans from Albany to Zionsville—and across the nation—have embraced the shockingly successful Hoosiers, who have emerged from a decade in the dumps to become the sport's new darlings
POP HERRING
Did This Man Really Cut MICHAEL JORDAN?
For years the NBA Hall of Famer has claimed that his high school coach underestimated his talent as a sophomore. Clifton (Pop) Herring, whose life has been a struggle since then, tells a different story
By Thomas Lake
POINT AFTER
By Phil Taylor
Departments
As one NBA vet is learning, there's really no sense in keeping up with the likes of the Kardashians
When Penn State went out-of-house for a new Nittany leader, a litany of complaints ensued
Down, Set ... Cue the Orchestra
At NFL Films, few people are as important as the man behind the music behind the game
By Matt Gagne
Edited by Alexandra Fenwick
By Dan Patrick