Silva: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for NFC teams.
SportsTalk: Albert Pujols signs with the Angels and Prince Fielder joins the Tigers. Which team is better now?
Ryan Callahan scored for the fifth time in four days and defenseman Ryan McDonagh snapped a second-period tie to lift the New York Rangers to a 3-2 victory over the Washington Capitals on Sunday.
Kobe Bryant hit a baseline jump shot with 4.2 seconds left and the Los Angeles Lakers wrapped up a six-game road trip by holding on to beat the Raptors 94-92 on Sunday, their eighth victory in nine meetings with Toronto
Arc's five up, five down: After No. 11 Michigan State's 58-48 upset of No. 3 Ohio State, you'd be a fool to discount the Spartans' national title chances now.
Miami coach Al Golden says the worst is behind him, but his headaches figure to continue now that former booster Nevin Shapiro, now in jail, says his involvement with the Hurricanes program will result in stiff penalties.
Golf's dream pairing - Woods and Mickelson - is on the course in the final round at Pebble Beach. Jason Sobel has hole-by-hole reports.
The United States completed a 5-0 rout of Switzerland in the Davis Cup on Sunday, with 19-year-old Ryan Harrison and John Isner winning closing singles matches.
Euro Roundup: First-place Manchester City won 1-0 at Aston Villa on Sunday on Joleon Lescott's goal in the 63rd minute, maintaining its two-point lead over Manchester United in the Premier League.
Tessa Worley of France fought off gusting winds to win a second consecutive World Cup giant slalom Sunday in the Andorran Pyrenees. Overall leader Lindsey Vonn was more than a second behind and finished eighth.
Robins: It’s the Year of the Dragon on the Lunar calendar, and this Chinese influence could extend to it also being the year of the Pekingese on the green carpet at the 136th Westminster Dog Show on Tuesday.
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7. Bo knows the universe
I'm just sayin: If Bo Pelini ran for President, he'd win the state of Nebraska by 30 points.
Hot item in the state of Nebraska: "Bo knows" t-shirts. I'm all for the excitement a new coach brings, but let's remember that Pelini:
Even Billy C. found a way to beat another MAC school at home (OK, so Ball State gave away the game).
For the love of all that good and righteous, Bo, win the game.
8. Touchdown Terrelle
Sometime between now and the next eight days, find a way to watch the Big Ten Network. If you're not in a Big Ten state, it may take an act of God — or DirecTV, whichever comes first.
Sit and watch Ohio State freshman QB Terrelle Pryor in the Buckeyes' two practice games against Youngstown State and Ohio, and imagine the possibilities on Sept. 13. He's more than just a novelty, and by the time the game of the year rolls around at USC on the 13th, we'll see just how much an impact the nation's No.1-ranked freshman will have.
You know he's special when players and coach Jim Tressel are talking about his dynamic ability. The button-down sweater doesn't talk so highly about freshmen, everyone.
9. Image is everything
So the SEC has some intriguing games this opening weekend, and that's news in and of itself. Now, there still are the requisite powder puff games with Louisiana-Monroe (Auburn), Western Illinois (Arkansas) and Georgia Southern (Georgia). But three others could easily put a dent in the SEC pride:
10. Reviving the Spartans
I'm a big Mark Dantonio fan. He will have Sparty playing for a Big Ten championship by Year 4. Now, Year 2, that's a whole other story.
Since Michigan State joined the Big Ten, only two coaches didn't have a better than .500 conference record in their first two years: Muddy Waters and Bobby Williams.
I know this: Muddy Waters could play a mean guitar. Apparently, he could coach, too.
And Bobby Williams? Pfffft
So Sparty needs five league wins this year for Dantonio to avoid joining that club.
Miami coach Al Golden says the worst is behind him, but his headaches figure to continue now that former booster Nevin Shapiro, now in jail, says his involvement with the Hurricanes program will result in stiff penalties.
CFT: Jordan Jefferson makes it clear he wasn't happy with LSU's game plan in the Tigers' BCS Championship Game loss to Alabama.
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 Memphis fulfills BCS dream Tigers officials thrilled to announce that school has been accepted to join the Big East Conference in 2013. |
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The Week in Sports Pictures The Giants on top of the football world, getting ready for the London Olympics and more. more photos |
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Wesseling: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for AFC teams.
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Silva: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for NFC teams.