Lineup

36 AJ MCCARRON

In Alabama a deep level of respect is reserved for the quarterback of the Crimson Tide

By L. Jon Wertheim

46 | COLLEGE BASKETBALL

L.A. Rivalry

It's getting increasingly personal between the new top dogs at USC and UCLA

By Alan Shipnuck

54 | HOCKEY

The Avalanche

Colorado reached into its glorious past to turn things around on the ice

By Sarah Kwak

60 | THEMMQB

In the Aftermath

As the nation mourned its slain president 50 years ago, two NFL players brawled

By Tim Layden

4 | SI Digital

6 | Leading Off

12 | The Mail

14 | Scorecard

30 | Faces in the Crowd

32 | Just My Type

Dan Patrick: Baylor QB Bryce Petty on hitting triple figures

68 | Point After

Phil Taylor: The danger when black and white turn gray

ON THE COVER: PHOTOGRAPH BY AL TIELEMANS/SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

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AL TIELEMANS/SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (MCCARRON)

BIG MAC McCarron has blended precision, leadership and an appetite for success into a career for the ages at Bama.

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JOHN W. MCDONOUGH/SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (L.A., LEFT)

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PETER READ MILLER FOR SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (L.A., RIGHT)

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ANDREW DIEB/ICON SMI (AVALANCHE)

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AFP/GETTY IMAGES (AFTERMATH)