Lineup

34 | BASEBALL

Mariano Rivera

What's left to say about the game's greatest closer and one of its most respected figures? Plenty

By Tom Verducci

44 | COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Hybrid Players

Schematic changes in the game have resulted in an increase of chameleons on both sides of the ball

By Andy Staples

50 | PRO FOOTBALL

Undefendable Twist

Today's freestyling QBs are blowing the lids off defenses with an old-school weapon: the back-shoulder pass

By Tim Layden

60 | SPECIAL REPORT

Oklahoma State

The final part of SI's investigation looks at players who were left undereducated and demoralized

By George Dohrmann and Thayer Evans

4 | SI Digital

8 | Leading Off

14 | The Mail

17 | Scorecard

25 | Faces in The Crowd

26 | Just My Type

Dan Patrick: Dustin Pedroia on home run etiquette

72 | Point After

Joe Sheehan: Separating man from myth with Derek Jeter

ON THE COVER: PHOTOGRAPH BY WALTER IOOSS JR. FOR SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

PHOTO

WINSLOW TOWNSON FOR SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (RIVERA IN TUNNEL)

MO, NO MO' Mariano Rivera has more saves than anyone else, but he leaves his deepest imprint on the lives he's touched.

PHOTO

JOHN IACONO/SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (RIVERA IN ACTION)

PHOTO

JOHNATHAN DANIEL/GETTY IMAGES (COLLEGE FOOTBALL)

PHOTO

PATRICK SMITH/GETTY IMAGES (PRO FOOTBALL)

PHOTO

ERICK W. RASCO/SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (HELMET)