AFP - Reigning Tour de France champion Alberto Contador will skip the UCI Road World Championships this year in order to better prepare for next season, the Spanish team coach said Friday.

AP - They all want to be like Maria. They all want to beat Maria, too.

AP - Former Dodger CEO Jamie McCourt was more concerned with protecting the couple's luxurious homes than dealing with baseball matters and didn't want to take the risk associated with buying one of baseball's most storied franchises six years ago, her estranged husband said.

AP - Southern California was all smiles, except for coach Lane Kiffin.

AP - New UNLV coach Bobby Hauck laughed before answering the question of just exactly how a team might stop No. 12 Wisconsin's power running attack featuring junior standout John Clay.

AP - When all was right in the world of Tiger Woods, players wanted to be on the same side of the draw because they figured the world's No. 1 player was getting all the breaks.

AP - If the Arizona Cardinals find themselves in need of a backup quarterback, Max Hall believes he can do the job.

AP - Utah was wavering between stifling defense and play sloppy enough to blow an 11-point lead before Brian Blechen saved the Utes.

AFP - Fabio Capello launches his quest for redemption on Friday knowing only a convincing victory by a makeshift England team over Bulgaria can hush a growing band of critics clamouring for his dismissal.