T25 Football-SCHEDULE Big SEC and Big Ten games

UNDATED (AP) There are two games in college football today involving a pair of ranked schools. In a key Southeast Conference game in Tuscaloosa, third-ranked Alabama is facing No. 9 LSU. With a win Alabama can lock up a share of the SEC West division title and a spot in a second straight SEC championship game matchup with Florida. LSU gains control of the West with an upset. Both teams are trying to stay in the national title hunt. They met a year ago with Alabama prevailing in overtime, 27-21.

From all indications this should be a defensive battle as each team is extremely difficult to run on. The home team has won only four of the last 13 meetings, three by LSU, and the Tigers have won five of the last six and seven of the last nine meetings. LSU hasn't lost in Tuscaloosa since 1999.

In the Big Ten, No. 11 Penn State is playing No. 15 Ohio State.

Today's game is being played in State College, Pa. Each team is looking for a win to improve its BCS chances. The series is all even with 12 wins apiece. Penn State won last year's encounter, 13-6.

NFL-BRONCOS Law is back in the game

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) The Denver Broncos have shored up their secondary with another veteran, signing cornerback Ty Law. The 35-year-old, who has been to five Pro Bowls, gives the Broncos five players over 30 in the defensive backfield that now sports a combined 20 Pro Bowl selections.

Law, a 15-year veteran, played seven games with the New York Jets last season and had been training in Florida waiting for a call from an NFL club.

MLB-TWINS Cuddyer coming back

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) The Minnesota Twins have picked up the $10.5 million option on outfielder Michael Cuddyer (kuh-DY'-ur) for 2011.

Cuddyer hit a career-high 32 home runs to lead the team in 2009. He also had 94 RBIs and was sixth in the American League with 73 extra-base hits.

When slugger Justin Morneau (mohr-NOH') went out with a back injury in September, Cuddyer moved from right field to first base.

He hit .352 with seven homers and 22 RBIs in the next 19 games as the Twins leapfrogged the Tigers and won the AL Central title.

NBA-SCHEDULE NBA card takes place tonight

UNDATED (AP) Seven games are on the NBA schedule this evening after the last two undefeated teams, Denver and Boston, both lost last night. The Nuggets look for a chance for another win as they play the Hawks in Atlanta, New Jersey is home to the Celtics, Charlotte plays at Chicago, it'll be Milwaukee at home to New York, Toronto plays at Dallas, Sacramento is in Salt Lake City against the Jazz and Memphis is in L.A. for a game with the Clippers.

NHL-ISLANDERS Martinek done

UNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP) New York Islanders defenseman Radek Martinek (mar-TEE'-nek) is out for the season with a knee injury.

The Islanders say that Martinek tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee last night in the third period of a 2-1 loss at New Jersey.

The oft-injured defenseman was helped off the ice with about 5:45 to play after he was hit hard against the boards in front of the Devils bench by Zach Parise (puh-REE'-see).

NHL-SCHEDULE A day game is followed by a busy night of play

UNDATED (AP) There's one day game in the NHL. That contest is being played in Los Angeles as the Kings face Nashville.

On tap tonight, Boston is home to Buffalo, New Jersey is skating in Ottawa, Detroit plays at Toronto, Montreal is home to Tampa Bay, Florida plays at Washington, Philadelphia is playing host to St.

Louis, Atlanta is in New York to face the Islanders, Columbus is on the home ice for a game with Carolina, Dallas is skating at Minnesota, Anaheim is entertaining Phoenix, the New York Rangers are at Calgary and San Jose is home to Pittsburgh.

Golf-HSBC Mickelson grabs lead

SHANGHAI (AP) Phil Mickelson has taken the 54-hole lead in the HSBC Champions with a 5-under 67, setting up a Sunday matchup with Tiger Woods in the final World Golf Championship of the year.

Gaining even more confidence in his putting, Mickelson strung together three birdies over the final five holes to turn a two-shot deficit into a two-shot lead over the back nine today at Sheshan International.

He finished at 14-under 202.

Woods failed to make a birdie over the final eight holes for a 70, leaving him two shots behind. Woods was tied with Nick Watney, who holed a 50-foot eagle putt on the final hole for a 70.

LPGA-MIZUNO CLASSIC Song tops field

SHIMA, Japan (AP) South Korea's Bo Bae Song birdied the final hole for a 7-under 65 and a one-stroke lead in the Mizuno Classic.

Song had six birdies in a front-nine 30, then had two birdies and bogey on the final nine holes today to reach 11 under.

Akane Iijima (64) and In-Kyung Kim (65) were tied for second, and Rui Kitada (66) was 9 under in the event sanctioned by the LPGA Tour and Japan LPGA.

Defending champion Jiyai Shin (67) was 8 under in a group that included Japanese star Ai Miyazato (67), 2007 winner Momoko Ueda (68) and first-round leader Brittany Lang (70) the lone non-Asian player in the top 12. Top-ranked Lorena Ochoa (69) was 4 under.

TENNIS-FED CUP Italy takes 2-0 lead over U.S.

REGGIO CALABRIA, Italy (AP) The U.S. Fed Cup team is deep trouble. Not playing with the Williams sisters, who opted out of this year's event, the American squad lost both singles matches today and trails Italy in the best-of-five final 2-0.

In today's play both Alexa Glatch and Melanie Oudin (oo-DAN') of the U.S. lost in straight sets.

Glatch lost to Flavia Pennetta (FLAH'-vee-uh pehn-EHT'-uh) 6-3, 6-1 and Francesca Schiavone (fran-CHES'-kuh skee-ah-VOH'-nay) rallied after a two-hour rain delay to defeat Oudin 7-6, 6-2 on the outdoor red clay court.

Reverse singles and doubles are scheduled for tomorrow in the best-of-five series.

TENNIS-WILLIAMS Looks like a fine for Williams REGGIO CALABRIA, Italy (AP) The president of the International Tennis Federation thinks Serena Williams will receive a fine but not be suspended for her U.S. Open tirade. In an interview with The Associated Press, Francesco Ricci Bitti said a fine would "make much more sense." Grand Slam administrator Bill Babcock is expected to give his recommendation to the Grand Slam committee, which will likely announce the sanction Monday or Tuesday.

TENNIS-ITF-WICKMAYER ITF confirms 1-year ban for Wickmayer, Malisse

LONDON (AP) The International Tennis Federation has confirmed a one-year suspension for Belgian tennis players Yanina Wickmayer and Xavier Malisse. The two were suspended by a Belgian tribunal this week for failing to report their whereabouts to anti-doping officials three times this year.

The ITF said in a statement Saturday that it agreed the players had violated anti-doping rules.

The governing body said it "recognizes and respects" the tribunal's decision, and will "take all steps necessary to enforce" the ban.

The 18th-ranked Wickmayer, who reached this year's U.S. Open semifinals, has said she will appeal the ban. She pulled out of this week's WTA Tour tournament in Bali after the tribunal's decision was announced.

HORSE RACING-BREEDERS CUP Can a mare win the Classic?

ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) The 26th Breeders' Cup World Championships comes to an end today at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif. In the first result of the afternoon, Pounced split horses in deep stretch and went on to victory in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. Pounced defeated Bridgetown by three-quarters of a length.

Coming up is the marquee event, the Breeders' Cup Classic. That race is worth $5 million dollars to the winner. Zenyatta, the undefeated mare, puts her 13-race winning streak on the line in the Classic as she to become the first female to win the Classic.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-07-09 1358CST | save this article / add to your favorites list