SI.com: SI Writers

Andy Staples: Oregon's Blount caps trying year with crucial TD

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 03:11:53 EST

EUGENE, Ore. ? The regular season ended as it had began. Once again, LeGarrette Blount stood before a wall of screaming fans.

Ross Tucker: Truth about playing through injuries

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 01:40:45 EST

Hines Ward's recent comments about teammate Ben Roethlisberger shed some light on the attitude most NFL players have regarding injuries, team doctors and concussions. My guess is that attitude would confuse and surprise most fans that don't really understand the business of the NFL and the internal and external pressure to play. Allow me to explain the prevailing thought process among most NFL players when it comes to some of the issues that Ward raised.

Stewart Mandel: Updated projections on all 34 bowl matchups

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:42:55 EST

I tried my best to predict last Sunday where the SEC's glut of 7-5 bowl teams would land. Based on numerous published reports Tuesday, it appears I was almost completely wrong. While LSU (9-3) and Ole Miss (8-4) appear headed to the Capital One and Cotton bowls, as expected, the Outback Bowl threw an unexpected curveball by reportedly choosing slumping Auburn as the first of six available 7-5 teams.

Cory McCartney: Game of the Week: Florida battles 'Bama for berth in BCS title game

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:06:47 EST

The final weekend of the regular season is sure to be filled with drama. Texas must clear one more hurdle (Nebraska's stingy defense) to secure a spot in the national title game. Cincinnati must stave off upset-minded Pitt to earn its second straight BCS berth. Georgia Tech must stop the bleeding -- and Clemson's C.J. Spiller.

Jim Kelley: Capitals owner aids and abets Ovechkin's reign of terror

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:04:49 EST

To date, most of the reaction to yet another dirty hit by Washington Capitals superstar forward Alexander Ovechkin has been pointed at the NHL and Colin Campbell, its Director of Hockey Operations.

Mark Montieth: Title contenders as viable as their supporting casts

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:52:39 EST

The contenders made bold moves over the summer, importing major stars who could play lead roles in blockbuster productions.

Austin Murphy: Civil War ticket to BCS, but also matchup of two superb coaches

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 15:45:18 EST

The 113th Civil War comprises many facets: It is among the nation's spicier rivalry games; a clash of cultures (holistic, liberal Eugene vs. rural, ag-intensive, conservative Corvallis); the de facto Pac-10 title game; and a chance for the Oregon Ducks to make their sugar daddy, Nike chairman Phil Knight, feel better after a tough week hearing about the "transgressions" committed by one of the anchors of his empire.

Sky Andrecheck: Sizing up the Hall of Fame hopes for six longtime candidates

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 15:06:34 EST

Last week, the Hall of Fame ballot was announced, offering an opportunity for immortality to 15 new candidates as well as providing hope to several old faces who have perennially been on the outside looking in.

Tom Bowles: NASCAR may have oversaturated the market with Jimmie Johnson

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 14:35:42 EST

Friday night, Jimmie Johnson will officially make history by accepting his fourth straight championship trophy in Las Vegas. It'll be the culmination of a first-year gamble by NASCAR in Vegas, rolling the dice after the sport moved its season-ending banquet from New York for the first time since 1980. Early returns indicate a jackpot as Vegas has embraced NASCAR with more hoopla in one week than New York City generated in, well, a decade.

Gregory Sica: Does altitude home advantage excuse Liga's success?

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 14:35:31 EST

After claiming the 2009 Copa Sudamericana in dramatic fashion on Wednesday night -- despite a clear 3-0 defeat to Fluminense at Rio de Janeiro's famed Maracan� (RECAP) -- Liga de Quito proved it's in a stratosphere of its own.