Rotoworld: Oregon RB LaMichael James and Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon among top 10 players who are being overhyped for the 2012 draft.
SportsTalk: Albert Pujols signs with the Angels and Prince Fielder joins the Tigers. Which team is better now?
The Detroit Red Wings equaled an NHL record with their 20th straight win at home, beating the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 Sunday night on the strength of Johan Franzen's tiebreaking goal early in the third period.
PBT: Boston's Rajon Rondo continues to be named in trade talks, which is madness. The Celtics guard creates offense and makes everyone around him better, which was evident in Sunday's win over the Bulls.
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.
Lefty wins his 40th PGA Tour event with his never-ending supply of tricks up his sleeve. What We Learned this week at Pebble Beach.
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.
Zambia has won the African Cup of Nations, beating pre-tournament favorite Ivory Coast 8-7 on penalties in a dramatic final at Stade de l'Amitie.
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.
APSporting News college football writers Matt Hayes and Dave Curtis might disagree on their share of topics, but they won't argue this: Boston College and Arizona are in for a mighty tumble.
Each writer provides five teams he believes will experience the greatest drop in victories.
Dave Curtis' five biggest declines:
1. Rice, minus-6
2008 record: 10-3
2009 projection: 4-8
Here's why: Rice made a magical leap last year, riding a dynamic offense and an energetic coach to a 10-3 record and a Texas Bowl victory. But the pieces aren't here yet for long-term success. The offense loses a record-setting quarterback, plus C-USA's top receiver (Jarett Dillard) and tight end (James Casey). And then there's the defense, which returns a bunch but allowed 33.3 points per game last year. September road trips to Texas Tech and Oklahoma State could end in devastating losses that could spoil any hopes of another bowl.
2. Boston College, minus-5
2008 record: 9-5
2009 projection: 4-8
Here's why: The Eagles haven't caught a break since 2008. Their coach got canned in a tiff with the athletic director. Their assumed quarterback got suspended, then transferred. Their top two defensive linemen from 2008 were high draft picks. Their best linebacker, maybe the country's best linebacker, is fighting cancer. A first-to-worst fall is in play for BC, which takes its new personnel to Clemson, Virginia Tech and Notre Dame — all before Halloween. Central Michigan's visit following that gauntlet looms as dangerous, too.
3. Texas Tech, minus-4
2008 record: 11-2
2009 projection: 7-6
Here's why: Missouri is the pick du jour to plummet in the Big 12. But the Red Raiders lose too much to contend once again in a South Division that might be better than it was a year ago. The Red Raiders lose the bulk of their offensive line, their two best defensive backs, a Heisman-worthy quarterback and a Heisman-worthy receiver. And Tech has road games at Texas, Oklahoma State and Nebraska, plus improving Baylor and Houston. Throw in a visit from Oklahoma, and Mike Leach might be staring at the Independence Bowl.
4. Arizona, minus-4
2008 record: 8-5
2009 projection: 4-8
Here's why: I'm not ready to bet on Mike Stoops and company as a consistent winner. Last year's success had more to do with a down conference (and a spiritless BYU team in the Las Vegas Bowl) than anything fantastic the Wildcats showed. They'll play a new quarterback in 2009, a new left tackle and a lot of new at linebacker. Six road games dot the schedule, including a daunting mid-September game at Iowa. The ’Zona of old returns, and it might be looking for a new coach come winter.
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5. Utah, minus-4
2008 record: 13-0
2009 projection: 9-4
Here's why: Only Florida finished ranked ahead of the Utes in the Associated Press poll, and the Gators return a Heisman winner at quarterback and 11 starters on defense. Utah doesn't, which means the 2009 team might be a victim of 2008's success. The Utes could sweep their home schedule and lose away from Rice-Eccles Stadium to Oregon, BYU, TCU and, say, East Carolina in the Armed Forces Bowl. Nothing to frown about in Salt Lake City. But it's four fewer wins than the dream season.
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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Zambia has won the African Cup of Nations, beating pre-tournament favorite Ivory Coast 8-7 on penalties in a dramatic final at Stade de l'Amitie.
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.
Paul Pierce has been around long enough to know what Rajon Rondo's performance can mean for the aging Boston Celtics.
