Week Ahead

SATURDAY 10/18
Purdue at Northwestern
After leading the Wildcats to a 3--0 start, quarterback C.J. Bachér (right) declared, "If we can get more consistent, I think we can have one of the best offenses in the country." Bachér's unit has been solid, but it's Northwestern's defense that has opponents shaking their heads. The Wildcats have allowed only 16.5 points per game and are off to their best start (5--1) since 1996. They are trying to break the Top 25 for the first time since 2005.
ESPN2 noon

Kelly Pavlik vs. Bernard Hopkins
Undefeated middleweight champ Pavlik, 26, has knocked out 30 of the 34 fighters he's faced. Will he have that same power battling bigger men? Pavlik will find out when he moves up to light heavyweight to face the 43-year-old Hopkins in Atlantic City. Hopkins has never been KO'd in his 20-year career.
HBO PPV 9 p.m.

SUNDAY 10/19
Chris Paul PBA Celebrity Invitational
NBA stars trade their hightops for bowling shoes in this charity event sponsored by the Hornets guard, an avid kegler. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Kevin Durant, Grizzlies forward Rudy Gay—and Paul—will each be paired with a PBA bowler. Says Paul, "Bowling is a competitive sport ... and I love it."
ESPN 1 p.m.

Lions at Texans
Houston escaped from the ranks of the winless on Sunday with a victory over the Dolphins, leaving only Cincinnati and Detroit without a W. The Lions benched Jon Kitna in favor of Dan Orlovsky but still lost to the Vikings. They haven't given up hope, though. Receiver Roy Williams last week declared, "We still have a realistic chance to make the playoffs, believe it or not." We don't.
Fox 4 p.m.

MONDAY 10/20
Penguins at Bruins
Boston welcomes back crafty center Patrice Bergeron (left), who will play his first game at TD Banknorth Garden since taking a nasty hit last October that sidelined him with a concussion for the rest of the season. In the Bruins' first two games of 2008--09 the 23-year-old had three points.
Check listings 7 p.m.

SI PICK OF THE WEEK

WEDNESDAY 10/22
World Series Game 1
Phillies closer Brad Lidge (above) was just about perfect this season, nailing down all 41 of his save opportunities to become the second pitcher ever with at least 40 saves and no losses. His one misstep came in a game that didn't count—but it could cost the Phils, who started strong in the NLCS against the Dodgers (page 38). Lidge took the loss in the All-Star Game, giving the AL home field advantage for the World Series. If Philadelphia makes its first Fall Classic since 1993, it will open on the road in either Boston or Tampa Bay.
Fox 8 p.m.