August 16, 2010 | Volume 113, Issue 7

HOW THEY'LL FINISH

HOW THEY'LL FINISH

HOW THEY'LL FINISH

HOW THEY'LL FINISH

HOW THEY'LL FINISH

HOW THEY'LL FINISH

HOW THEY'LL FINISH

Every SI Story ... Every SI Photo ... Ever SI.COM/VAULT

SI's fearless NFL expert opines on all the latest news, buzz and inside information. This is just a taste of what you'll get online.

Awiry man in an Orioles cap stands outside the gates to Camden Yards in Baltimore, wearing a blue T-shirt with a single word in white letters—nerd. He carries with him the tools he will need over...

Founder: Henry R. Luce 1898--1967

The recent alliance of LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade in Miami will change the way players are recruited, signed and managed in sports around the world. Expect megastars to wield more...

With a wayward Woods all but abdicating the throne, golf is back to fascinating uncertainty

Who's Hot

[This article contains a table. Please see hardcopy of magazine or PDF.]

As a Jew, Amar'e Stoudemire will have to learn a whole new rule book

A 67-year-old New Jersey man was sentenced to three years probation and 100 hours of community service, and was fined $1,000 after he shot his family's African Gray parrot because, he says, its...

With new ownership, artful dealing and a deep farm system, the surging Rangers are poised to become a power

Thanks in part to a near-Biblical spate of injuries culminating with the loss of first baseman Kevin Youkilis for the season with a torn right-thumb muscle, the Red Sox were seven games out of...

The Giants have the game's deepest rotation—no surprise. But an unexpectedly potent offense has them in the race

A draft disaster who hasn't played since 2007, wideout Mike Williams is looking like a new man in Seattle

Return Game

Michael Phelps's loss to Ryan Lochte at the nationals should sound a wake-up call for the Olympic champ

Deeper Pool

It's baseball's most exciting play and one of its most dangerous weapons. So why has it been more than a year since anyone in the major leagues pulled off the grandest theft?

From Austin to Boise to Columbus To Tuscaloosa, Defense Now Rules the Game

Open SI's foldout for a look at this year's top Heisman contenders.

Five big stories worth following this fall

The contenders for college football's highest honor are led by the dynamic Terrelle Pryor

SI's Top 25

The QB for these cardiac kids is aiming for fewer dramatics

CONFERENCE Big Ten

SEPTEMBER

ADRIAN CLAYBORN

The familiar names are gone, but the talent remains

CONFERENCE SEC

SEPTEMBER

JOHN BRANTLEY

Even without Jeremiah Masoli, the Ducks are not dead

CONFERENCE Pac-10

SEPTEMBER

JOHN BOYETT

Looking for a lead back, the Jackets turn to an "attacker"

CONFERENCE ACC

SEPTEMBER

SEAN BEDFORD

Contender or pretender? The Canes' D holds the answer

CONFERENCE ACC

SEPTEMBER

JACORY HARRIS

The Big East favorite is embracing high expectations

CONFERENCE Big East

SEPTEMBER

JON BALDWIN

Motivation will be key for a team that can't go bowling

CONFERENCE Pac-10

SEPTEMBER

ARMOND ARMSTEAD

No Pike? No problem. The Bearcats' new QB has legs

CONFERENCE Big East

SEPTEMBER

ARMON BINNS

The team's fortunes rest on an unsettled offensive line

CONFERENCE Big Ten

SEPTEMBER

DREW ASTORINO

A new QB will try to lead the Beavers back to Pasadena

CONFERENCE Pac-10

SEPTEMBER

STEPHEN PAEA

Les Miles's future rests on a green QB and defense

CONFERENCE SEC

SEPTEMBER

JORDAN JEFFERSON

The Utes plan to leave the Mountain West on the run

CONFERENCE Mountain West

SEPTEMBER

JEREME BROOKS

The Hogs can score. Now their defense has to keep up

CONFERENCE SEC

SEPTEMBER

GREG CHILDS

The post-Toby era hinges on three backs and a lot of Luck

CONFERENCE Pac-10

SEPTEMBER

ANDREW LUCK

A veteran front five pave the way for a potent offense

CONFERENCE ACC

SEPTEMBER

NIGEL BRADHAM