Week Ahead

SATURDAY 11/11

No. 21 Oregon at No. 7 USC
The last time the Trojans played a team from the Beaver State, USC's 27-game conference winning streak was snapped. ( Oregon State won 33--31 on Oct. 28.) That loss put a serious dent in the Pac-10 title aspirations of the Trojans—they're a game behind Cal, whom they play on Nov. 18. To keep its BCS bowl hopes alive, USC will have to slow the nation's fifth-best offense. Check listings 10:15 p.m.

Sabres at Flyers
If you like goals, this game is probably for you. Buffalo is great at scoring them, and Philadelphia is great at conceding them. Their last meeting, on Oct. 17, ended in a 9--1 Sabres' rout that was followed by three Flyers being waived, coach Ken Hitchcock's getting fired and the resignation of G.M. Bobby Clarke. Buffalo leads the NHL with 4.21 goals per game and didn't lose a game in regulation until last Saturday—its 13th game of the year. Check listings 7 p.m.

SUNDAY 11/12

Bears at Giants
Despite the best efforts of Brian Urlacher (left), the Bears' bubble burst on Sunday when they suffered their first loss of the year, 31--17 to the Dolphins. Middle linebacker Urlacher anchors what is still the NFC's stingiest defense (12.5 points per game), and he's being touted in the Windy City as an MVP candidate. If he wins, he'll be the first defensive player since Lawrence Taylor in 1986 to do so. NBC 8:15 p.m.

Auto Club NHRA Finals
Tony Schumacher, the first drag racer to break the 330-mph barrier (he did it in 1999), will try for another piece of history at the NHRA season finale in Pomona, Calif. Schumacher (below), who hovers just behind leader Doug Kalitta in the top fuel division standings, will try to join Joe Amato as the only drivers to win three consecutive NHRA titles. ESPN2 7 p.m.

TUESDAY 11/14

On Shelves: 07 Seconds or Less
Pro sports teams are increasingly reluctant to grant scribes access, but last season the Phoenix Suns allowed SI senior writer Jack McCallum to embed himself with the coaching staff. The result is a fascinating fly-on-the-wall look at how coach Mike D'Antoni and his staff led an injury-plagued team to the Western Conference Finals.

SI PICK OF THE WEEK

SATURDAY 11/11