Leading Off

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PHOTOGRAPH BY JAMIE SABAU GETTY IMAGES

Sparty Hearty Michigan State linebacker Darien Harris (45) and defensive back Demetrious Cox (7) stopped Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett in the third quarter of the Spartans' 17--14 win last Saturday in Columbus. The MSU defense was dominant, holding the Buckeyes to five first downs and 132 total yards. Ohio State's hopes of a second straight national championship were likely thwarted when junior Michael Geiger nailed a 41-yard field goal as time expired. Following the loss—the Buckeyes' first since Sept. 6, 2014—OSU star running back Ezekiel Elliott, a junior, announced that he would turn pro after the season.

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PHOTOGRAPH BY JARED C. TILTON NASCAR/GETTY IMAGES

Busch's League Kyle Busch drove his number 18 Toyota to the top of the stock car world on Sunday, winning the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway to earn his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series title. The 30-year-old Busch had missed the first 11 points races after breaking his right leg and left foot in the season's opener, on Feb. 21 at Daytona. Kyle is the younger brother of 2004 champion Kurt Busch; with Kyle's victory they became the second set of brothers to win the season championship. Terry Labonte took titles in 1984 and '96, and his brother, Bobby, won in 2000.

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PHOTOGRAPH BY JOHN LOCHER AP

Smack In the Middle From the opening bell, 25-year-old Canelo Alvarez of Mexico (far left) took the fight to Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico last Saturday in Las Vegas, claiming the WBC middleweight title in a unanimous decision. The victory by Alvarez (46-1-1), whose only loss was to Floyd Mayweather Jr., sets up a bout with Gennady Golovkin, who is 34--0 and ranked No. 1 in the division.