Lineup

32 | COLLEGE FOOTBALL

How to Beat Bama

The bullies of the BCS do have weaknesses. Here are eight ways to exploit them

By Lars Anderson

40 | PRO FOOTBALL

Chris Johnson

Can he reach 2,000 yards again? The Titans' running back relishes the challenge

By Alan Shipnuck

46 | PRO BASKETBALL

Summer School

Go inside a private L.A. gym to see how the NBA's biggest stars are getting even better

By Pete Thamel

52 | BOXING

Danny Garcia

His father's unshakable belief helped the junior welterweight become a champion

By Chris Mannix

56 | BASEBALL

The Pirates

The franchise's 20-season losing streak is finally over. Are yinz ready for October?

By Lee Jenkins

2 | SI Digital

4 | Leading Off

10 | The Mail

13 | Scorecard

21 | Faces in The Crowd

22 | Just My Type

Dan Patrick: Brian Kelly's luck with the Irish

64 | Point After

Steve Rushin: Back to school with Bobby Valentine

SI HAS REGIONAL COVERS THIS WEEK: CHARLES LECLAIRE/USA TODAY SPORTS (MCCUTCHEN); DAVID E. KLUTHO/SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (ALABAMA)

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JEFFERY A. SALTER FOR SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (JOHNSON ON COUCH)

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DAVID E. KLUTHO/SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (BAMA)

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SIMON BRUTY/SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (JOHNSON)

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JOHN W. MCDONOUGH/SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (NBA)

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AL TIELEMANS/SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (GARCIA)

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AL TIELEMANS/SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (PIRATES)