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 three goals as the New York Rangers beat Philadelphia 5-2 on Saturday for their seventh straight win over the Flyers.
Jeremy Lin hit a free throw with 4.9 seconds left to overcome a dreadful second half and lift the New York Knicks to their fifth straight victory, 100-98, over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night.
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 title chances now.
CFT: Jordan Jefferson makes it clear he wasn't happy with LSU's game plan in the Tigers' BCS Championship Game loss to Alabama.
Move over, Hollywood and NFL types, golf's two real A-listers take center stage Sunday at Pebble Beach, both in need of a win.
The United States swept favored Switzerland out of the Davis Cup on Saturday when Mardy Fish and Mike Bryan beat Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.
Luis Suarez's refusal to shake hands with Patrice Evra overshadowed Manchester United's 2-1 win over rival Liverpool that lifted the defending champions to first place in the Premier League on Saturday.
Marlies Schild of Austria won her sixth World Cup slalom of the season Saturday after overall leader Lindsey Vonn and defending champion Maria Hoefl-Riesch crashed out in the opening run on the windy Pyrenees course.
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.
California (8-4)
vs.
Miami (7-5)
Date: Dec. 27
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: San Francisco
Television: ESPN
Payout: $850,000
Last result: Oregon State 21, Maryland 14
2008 results: California; Miami
2008 statistics: California; Miami
Tickets: Buy them here
Coaches: Jeff Tedford (California); Randy Shannon (Miami)
Bowl history/last appearance: California 9-8-1 (won 42-36 over Air Force in '07 Armed Forces); Miami 18-13 (won 21-20 over Nevada in '06 MPC Computers)
Series: Miami leads 2-1 (California 9-7 in '64; Miami 31-3 in '89, 52-24 in '90)
What California must do to win: Disappointed that their bowl trip only consists of a drive across the Bay Bridge, the Golden Bears need to shake that off and focus properly on the dangerous Hurricanes. Going up against inexperienced quarterback Jacory Harris — Robert Marve was suspended for academic reasons — means California should be in prime position to add to its hefty total of 23 interceptions.
With QB problems of their own, the Golden Bears are best when they throw as little as possible. Cal attempted only 11 passes in a 37-16 victory over archrival Stanford on Nov. 22.
What Miami must do to win: After allowing nearly 700 rushing yards in their last two games, the Hurricanes have to improve their run defense in a hurry. Golden Bears sophomore speedster Jahvid Best is coming off a 311-yard, four-touchdown performance in the regular-season finale. It would have been more impressive if it came against a team other than woeful Washington, but Best needed only 19 carries to do all that damage.
On offense, Miami needs some of its younger players who now have a full season under their belts to start playing like upperclassmen.
Who the NFL is watching: Cal’s Alex Mack is regarded as the best center in the draft; The youthful Miami roster is filled with pro prospects, but they’re still a year or two away.
Opening point spread: California by 7.5 (49.5)
Prediction: California 31, Miami 20
MVP: California RB Jahvid Best
Live vote: Who will win?
CFT: Jordan Jefferson makes it clear he wasn't happy with LSU's game plan in the Tigers' BCS Championship Game loss to Alabama.
CollegeFootballTalk headlines |
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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 |
Jeremy Lin hit a free throw with 4.9 seconds left to overcome a dreadful second half and lift the New York Knicks to their fifth straight victory, 100-98, over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night.
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.
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.