Perspective Piece
Michigan vs. Northwestern, Oct. 29
---College Football---
By Matthew Zemek---College Football---

It is not yet known whether the White Sox will host Game Six of the World Series on the night of Saturday, Oct. 29, in the Windy City. But if Chicago sports fans want to avoid having a major conflict of interest, they must hope their team can win the world title in Houston—no later than Thursday.---College Football---

Why? Northwestern’s home game against tradition-soaked Michigan, a prime time national TV showcase this Saturday, is the biggest game for the Wildcats since 1996. Ten seasons after the Purple marched to Pasadena as Big Ten champions, and nine campaigns after making yet another New Year’s Day bowl game (the Citrus Bowl against Tennessee), this academic powerhouse has yet another chance to make an improbable march to glory.
---College Football---
No way, you say? Well, the cards are still stacked against this upstart from Evanston. Michigan—as proven by its ballsy wins against Penn State and Iowa the past two weeks—knows how to win spotlight games. After all, a team with the reputation, status and cachet of the Maize and Blue finds itself in a highly-anticipated contest just about every week.---College Football---
---College Football---
And yes, even if Michigan is defeated, Iowa and Ohio State still lurk on the schedule. Northwestern’s chances of going 10-1 this season are small, and it would take more than a little guts to even predict a 9-2 campaign (likely good enough for an Outback Bowl invite and a January game day) for the Cats.---College Football---

But if you’re downplaying Northwestern’s chances of winning the Big Ten or even making a January bowl, you’re missing the point. The mere fact that the Purple People have just one conference loss as of October 29, good enough to put them at the forefront of the Big Ten race, is enough of an achievement in its own right. And now that Penn State sits atop the conference—in a tie with Northwestern and also Wisconsin and Ohio State—the Wildcats’ 34-29 loss to the Nittany Lions looks that much more impressive. Even more particularly, the performance of Brett Basanez, Tyrell Sutton, and the rest of NU’s offense against Paul Posluszny and Co. becomes that much more tremendous when one considers how good Penn State’s defense has been this year.---College Football---
---College Football---
With each week, then, you can make one simple conclusion: Northwestern, though not dominant, has legitimately earned its current place in the upper echelon of a wide-open and balanced Big Ten. Wins haven’t come cheaply for Northwestern—a stellar offense and a defense good enough to make a few timely plays have lifted the Cats to a series of wins that, in one way or another, have left the college football community marveling at the quality of Randy Walker’s handiwork.---College Football---
---College Football---
Against Wisconsin, the Basanez-Sutton combo was awesome. At Purdue, the Cats’ late-game resilience was tested and ultimately affirmed. Last week at Michigan State, the defense forced turnovers while the Purple People showed enormous mental toughness by putting down the hammer against a wobbling Spartan team. In close games and blowouts, at home and on the road, Northwestern has shown different elements of an increasingly layered and flexible football personality. With each passing Saturday (and with Basanez under center, gamedays usually are passing Saturdays for Northwestern), Walker’s team has increasingly earned the respect of football fans nationwide, not just its Big Ten brethren. Saturday night is so special for the Wildcat program because the glare of the prime-time spotlight offers NU a chance to compete against one of the sport’s signature programs with a lot more eyeballs watching. A win against Michigan would affirm everything the Cats have done so far in the month of October.
---College Football---
And oh, yeah, almost forgot: there is this team called the Michigan Wolverines. They will show up as well on Saturday, despite the newfound buzz surrounding Northwestern. Just in case you haven’t noticed, Michigan still has just two losses in conference play, and with a tiebreaker against Penn State already in Lloyd Carr’s column, there’s also the realization that Ohio State must come to the Big House at the end of the season. If Michigan wins this game against Northwestern, a team once 3-3 and staring 3-4 in the face could a-Maize-ingly find itself playing for a third straight conference crown when the Bucks come a knockin’ on the door in Ann Arbor on Nov. 19.---College Football---
---College Football---
Michigan and Northwestern. It’s a game worthy of prime time because both teams, not just the heavies with the classic helmets and “Hail to the Victors,” have done special things over the past few weeks. Chicago sports fans—if their Sox play that same night—will have some channel changing to do. That in itself speaks to the enormity of what’s transpiring in Evanston... and what will unfold under the lights this Saturday at venerable Dyche Stadium.
---College Football---

Hollenbach Sits Out, Statham Prepares

By Dan Steinberg

Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, October 26, 2005; Page E02

Maryland starting quarterback Sam Hollenbach, still nursing his injured non-throwing shoulder, did not practice yesterday and his availability for Saturday's game at No. 10 Florida State could be determined at today's practice.---college football---

Hollenbach was hurt during a first-quarter option run against Virginia Tech on Thursday night, and although he did not miss a snap, he has yet to practice this week. Yesterday, the ACC's fourth-ranked passer attended practice wearing jeans, a heavy coat and a ski cap while starter-turned-backup-turned-possible-starter Joel Statham went through drills with the first-team offense.---college football---

---college football---
They're trying to just let the shoulder quiet down, and we'll know more" today, Maryland Coach Ralph Friedgen said. "I think if he can play we will play him. We'll just have to see how well he does and whether he can learn the game plan by Saturday."---college football---

If not, Statham would get a chance to revisit the brightest moment of his career, a 20-17 upset of Florida State last year in which he threw for 333 yards and one touchdown and ran for another score. The victory was Maryland's first over the Seminoles, and it was the high-water mark for Statham, who was eventually supplanted by Hollenbach in the season finale.

"Isn't he the guy that killed us last year?" responded Florida State Coach Bobby Bowden when asked about Statham. "I'm talking about he beat us to death last year, you know? . . . They look like they're in pretty good shape at quarterback, no matter what."---college football---

Friedgen's vote of confidence was less emphatic. He said third-stringer Jordan Steffy, who is hoping to redshirt this year as he recovers from offseason knee and elbow procedures, would be used if needed, and that both reserve quarterbacks performed well in Monday night's soggy practice. Still, Friedgen's clear preference would be Hollenbach, who had his worst game of the season against Virginia Tech.---college football---

If "Joel's our quarterback, we'll see how he does, and I plan on him doing well," Friedgen said. "I think he should have a lot of confidence. He's been in the fire before. I'm prepared to go with him if that's what we've got to do. You know, I want to have Sam. If Sam can go, he'll go. If he can't go, then we've got to go to the next guy."---college football---

Statham said he was eager to play and any problems with nerves were in the past. "I've already got all that stuff out of my system now," he said. "I'm still making mistakes out there, but I'm trying to minimize those. And hopefully, if I get out there I won't make any and we'll be able to come out with a win."---college football---

By winning its final four games, Maryland (4-3, 2-2) would win the ACC's Atlantic Division and play in the conference title game, a goal Friedgen mentioned several times yesterday. If the Terps lose on Saturday, they would be eliminated from the ACC race and would need to win two of their final three games to be eligible for a postseason bowl.---college football---

Kicking Confidence---college football---

---

Place kicker Dan Ennis made 1 of 3 field goal attempts against the Hokies and has missed four of his past five. But Obi Egekeze is not yet 100 percent after injuring his right quadriceps in preseason, and Friedgen said he remained confident in Ennis.---college football---

Holder Adam Podlesh, a former place kicker, said he has been counseling Ennis on putting the misses behind him and that the junior walk-on, who made his first 11 attempts this year, seemed to be in good spirits. "He really hasn't been playing a whole lot of head games with himself," Podlesh said. "He's usually a pretty levelheaded kid; he's not going to go out there and go crazy over a few kicks." . . .---college football---

Running back Keon Lattimore wore a non-contact jersey yesterday because of a partial dislocation of a shoulder joint, Friedgen said. He is questionable for Saturday's game. . . . Former fullback Ricardo Dickerson, who played defense in past seasons, is now working at the team's hybrid linebacker-defensive end position.---college football---

Wallace calls it quits at Temple

Bobby Wallace is leaving Temple in the same shape he found it -- as one of the worst college football teams in the country. - College Football -

After eight seasons of never winning more than four games, Wallace said Monday he will leave when his contract expires at the end of the season.

''What we've been through, the transition we've been through, has taken a toll on me and my family,'' said Wallace, who is 19-66 since taking over the program in 1998. ''It hasn't been easy.''

The Owls have been outscored 297-63 this season and have lost five of their six games by at least 25 points. - College Football -

Wallace led Temple through one of the worst eras in an already historically woeful program. Since he took over, the Owls were booted out of the Big East, switched home stadiums and are playing their first season as an independent before joining the Mid-American Conference in 2007.

The one constant has been the losing. The Owls' last winning season was 1990, and they haven't played a bowl game since 1979. - College Football -

''Losing will wear on you, and we've lost a lot of games,'' Wallace said.

Wallace said he met with Temple athletic director Bill Bradshaw last week to talk about his future. Wallace said he made the decision now to give the Owls a jump on finding a new coach.

TEXAS' CHARLES OK: Texas freshman tailback Jamaal Charles should be ready to play Saturday when the No. 2 Longhorns face No. 24 Colorado, coach Mack Brown said.

Charles ran for 116 yards, including an 80-yard touchdown, in Texas' 45-12 victory Saturday against Oklahoma before leaving with an ankle injury in the third quarter. He leads the team with 563 yards rushing and seven touchdowns. - College Football -

''We think he's fine,'' Brown said. ''We don't know what his pain threshold is yet, so that's another thing we'll learn about Jamaal this week.''

VIRGINIA SUSPENDS PLAYER: Virginia offensive tackle Brad Butler was suspended for one game by the school for throwing a chop-block against Boston College defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka on Saturday. He will sit out the Cavaliers' game Saturday against No. 4 Florida State, the university said in a statement. - College Football -

Sun-Times wires

Bills might not see a healthy Vick

By Sports Network

Publicly, you're not going to hear head coach Mike Mularkey or any member of his Buffalo Bills admit that they hope Atlanta Falcons' quarterback Michael Vick is at less than 100 percent when the teams take the field at Ralph Wilson Stadium on Sunday. - NFL Football -

Privately, you have to believe the Bills wouldn't mind if that was the case.

Vick injured his hamstring toward the tail end of Atlanta's 21-18 loss to Seattle last Sunday, and it is unknown whether Vick will be able to unleash his inhuman mobility and rushing acumen in Buffalo. Without him, the Falcons would be minus one-third of the heralded "DVD" trio that helped the team finish first in the NFL in rushing during the 2005 season. Jim Mora's club will be going up against a Bills defense that was regarded as one of the league's best run-stopping units last season, when it finished seventh in NFL rushing defense.

Like the Falcons, Buffalo enters this week's contest at 1-1. Mularkey and company were 19-3 losers in Tampa Bay last Sunday, seven days after opening their season with a 22-7 victory over the Houston Texans. Atlanta's only 2005 victory to date was a 14-10 Monday night victory against the Eagles in Week 1. - NFL Football -

SERIES HISTORY

The Falcons and Bills have split eight meetings all-time, with Atlanta scoring a 33-30 home victory in the last such matchup, in 2001. The Bills were a 23-17 winner when the clubs last met in Buffalo, in 1995, and are 3-1 all-time against the Falcons within their friendly confines. Atlanta's only win in Buffalo took place in the 1980 season.

Atlanta's Jim Mora and Buffalo's Mike Mularkey will be facing one another for the first time, and both will be meeting their counterpart's respective franchise for the first time as well.

FALCONS OFFENSE vs. BILLS DEFENSE

Vick has already displayed his running prowess in 2005, having bolted for 68 yards and a touchdown in the Week 1 win over Philadelphia before rushing for 43 yards on eight carries in the Seattle loss. Vick, who set an NFL record by rushing for 902 yards and three touchdowns last season, pulled up lame on his longest rush of the day, a 32-yarder in the fourth quarter. If Vick is limited, the running game will be thrust upon the capable shoulders of tailbacks Warrick Dunn (37 carries, 171 yards on the year) and T.J. Duckett (12 carries, 33 yards), who combined for 72 yards on 20 totes in the Seattle loss. Duckett scored his second touchdown of the season on a one-yard rush in the fourth, which pulled the Falcons to within three points. Atlanta is averaging 157.5 ground yards in its first two contests. - NFL Football -

The normally-stout Bills run defense struggled mightily last week, allowing the Buccaneers to pile up 191 yards on the ground. Part of the problem was the extended absence of middle linebacker London Fletcher (15 tackles on the year), who exited the game in the second quarter with a hamstring injury. Angelo Crowell (6 tackles last week) struggled in relief of Fletcher, who is expected to play this week. Outside linebackers Takeo Spikes (15 tackles on the year) and Jeff Posey (6 tackles on the year) will also have to be stronger this week. Up front, the team seemed to miss departed defensive tackle Pat Williams for the first time last week. Veteran Sam Adams (1 tackle) was not effective in part-time duty, and Ron Edwards (3 tackles) and Tim Anderson (2 tackles) could not turn the tide either.

Vick (279 passing yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) comes into Sunday's contest with an unimpressive passer rating of 73.4, and has already been sacked seven times on the season. Frankly, Vick has not looked much better in the team's west coast- style offensive scheme than he did last season, when he tossed just 14 touchdown passes and threw 12 interceptions. The Virginia Tech product's prime targets will be wideouts Michael Jenkins (4 receptions, 102 yards) and Brian Finneran (7 receptions, 47 yards, 1 TD) along with tight end Alge Crumpler (7 receptions, 107 yards). That trio has 18 of Vick's 23 completions thus far in 2005. Finneran was the recipient of Vick's first touchdown strike of the year, from five yards out, last week. Starting receiver Dez White (hamstring) could be out this week, meaning 2005 first-round draft choice Roddy White (UAB) could see his first extended action at receiver. - NFL Football -

The Bills secondary and pass rush, which harassed Houston's David Carr into a rash of mistakes in Week 1, could not do the same to Tampa Bay's Brian Griese. Buffalo had just one sack against Griese, that by strong safety Lawyer Milloy (14 tackles, 1 INT on the year), and did not record an interception after coaxing three from Carr. Free safety Troy Vincent (5 tackles on the year) will try to replicate his two-pick performance of Week 1, and cornerbacks Nate Clements (14 tackles) and Terrence McGee (12 tackles) will also be in search of big plays. Milloy and McGee each had 10 stops against the Bills. Ends Aaron Schobel (7 tackles, 2 sacks) and Chris Kelsay (8 tackles, 1 sack), who combined for three tackles in Week 1, will attempt to harness Vick.

BILLS OFFENSE vs. FALCONS DEFENSE

Bills starting quarterback J.P. Losman took some lumps in his second career start last week, completing just 12-of-28 passes for 113 yards in the loss to Tampa Bay. Losman (283 passing yards, 1 TD, 0 INT on the year) completed just five tosses after the team's first drive of the day, in which he was 7-of-10. The Tulane product was sacked twice, and also gave the Bucs their first points of the afternoon when he stepped out of the back of the end zone for a safety. Losman's poor outing also meant minimal production for wideouts Eric Moulds (1 reception, 8 yards last week) and Lee Evans (2 receptions, 12 yards), in addition to tight end Mark Campbell (1 reception, 0 yards). Losman's top target was No. 3 receiver Josh Reed, who had six catches for 71 yards in the loss. Moulds and Evans each have five receptions thus far in 2005, but neither has found the end zone. Losman was sacked twice by Tampa, and will likely fare better if right tackle Mike Williams (ankle), who left last week's game, can return healthy in Week 3.

Losman will have an easier time if the Falcons are without two of their main pass defenders on Sunday, namely end Brady Smith (2 tackles on the year) and defensive back Allen Rossum (2 tackles). Smith (quadriceps) did not play last week, and was replaced in the lineup by Chauncey Davis (3 tackles). Rossum, who was expected to fill the nickel back role vacated when Kevin Mathis (knee) was lost for the year, was also unavailable against the Seahawks due to a hamstring injury. Without that duo, the Falcons allowed Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck to pass for 281 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Cornerbacks Jason Webster (8 tackles last week) and DeAngelo Hall (6 tackles) were both picked on in the loss, though Webster had a positive moment when he forced a fumble by the Seahawks' Bobby Engram. Atlanta had two sacks of Hasselbeck, including the first of the year for both linebacker Keith Brooking and tackle Chad Lavalais. If Smith is not in the lineup this week, the onus will be on top pass-rushers Patrick Kerney (6 tackles, 1 sack on the year) and Rod Coleman (4 tackles, 1 sack) to apply pressure to Losman. - NFL Football -

Attempting to take the pressure off of Losman will be running back Willis McGahee (35 carries, 151 rushing yards), who is seeking his second 100-yard outing of '05. McGahee rushed 13 times for just 34 yards against the Bucs, and was benched temporarily in favor of backup Shaud Williams (3 receptions, 22 yards) during the fourth quarter. Also a threat to run is Losman himself, who has 44 rushing yards in 2005 to date.

The Falcons were uncharacteristically soft against the run last Sunday, when they allowed the Seahawks' Shaun Alexander to rush for 144 yards on 28 carries. Mora and company will require a stronger effort this week, particularly out of middle linebacker Edgerton Hartwell (8 tackles last week) and tackles Coleman (1 tackle) and Lavalais (6 tackles). Outside linebackers Brooking (12 tackles on the year) and Demorrio Williams (18 tackles) combined for 20 stops a week ago. Through two games, Atlanta is giving up 107 rushing yards per contest.

OVERALL ANALYSIS

Mora said on Monday that his gut feeling was that Vick would play, which is a good sign for an Atlanta team that desperately needs his mobility. The Bills, who struggled to slow the Tampa Bay run game for long stretches last week, could also be worn down by the Falcons' multi-faceted rushing attack. On the other side of the ball, Losman and the offensive line are going to have their hands full with Kerney, Coleman, and a playmaking Falcons secondary. Look for the young QB to make one too many mistakes late, and to experience the first home loss of his career as an NFL starter. - NFL Football -

© 2005, The Fresno Bee

Tide ready to play Homewood's Schatz:

College Football Beat

TUSCALOOSA - Senior punter Jeremy Schatz from Homewood has been cleared to play for Alabama in Saturday's game against Southern Mississippi after undergoing medical tests for a heart arrhythmia.

And special teams coach Dave Ungerer plans to play him.

"I'd like to get Jeremy in the game," Ungerer said, "and give him a chance to show a little bit. I told both (Schatz and Jeff Aul) near the end of training camp that I'd probably play both of them early." - College Football -

Both players have been competing to replace last year's starting punter, Bo Freeland.

Aul will start again, Ungerer said. Aul had three punts for a 36-yard average and a long of 44 in the Crimson Tide's 26-7 opening win over Middle Tennessee last weekend. The Daleville junior's first start at the position produced mixed results.

The good: He pinned Middle Tennessee on its own 9-yard-line in the first quarter with the 44-yard punt, leading to a safety. - College Football -

The bad: He bobbled one snap. "That was disappointing," Tide head coach Mike Shula said.

Jamie Christensen has a chance to claim Alabama's No. 1 place-kicking job now that he's back from a one-game suspension, Ungerer said.

Christensen, a sophomore, was ahead of senior Ryan Saxby in field-goal kicking and kickoffs at the end of fall camp. - College Football -

Ungerer said he'd monitor this week's performances by Christensen and Saxby, who was 1-of-2 on field goals and 3-of-3 on extra points against Middle Tennessee.

"Ryan's really helped himself by the way he kicked off and his field goals," Ungerer said. "I think that's a positive for our football team. We'll have a good combination and see what happens."

Shula said it could be as late as Saturday before he announces the starter.

"One guy might be kicking off and one guy might be the field-goal kicker," Shula said.

Senior guard Mark Sanders is questionable for Saturday's game with Southern Miss with a knee sprain. Meanwhile, strongside linebacker Terrence Jones' injured ankle and middle linebacker Freddie Roach's injured right elbow make both questionable, as well. - College Football -

As a result, Matt Collins of Clay-Chalkville practiced at No. 1 middle linebacker Tuesday.

Defensive end Wallace Gilberry missed Tuesday's practice with a sprained ankle, but he is not expected to miss Saturday's game.

Steve Kirk

© 2005 The Birmingham News.

Dede gets start ahead of Sears

AUBURN - Karibi Dede has a surprise for Auburn football fans.

He's a first-team linebacker, having jumped Kevin Sears on the depth chart to join Travis Williams and Antarrious Williams as starters for Saturday's opener against Georgia Tech.

The first depth chart of the fall Monday had few other surprises, although it confirmed how the coaches have seen two other heavily contested positions. Joe Cope is listed ahead of Steven Ross at center and Patrick Lee is listed ahead of Montae Pitts for one of the cornerback spots.

Dede's entry in the linebacker picture shakes up, at least temporarily, the notion that Auburn would start last year's returning linebacker corps. Travis Williams led Auburn last year with 80 tackles. Antarrious Williams, who missed the final three games with a hand injury, had 44 tackles. Sears, who has had to wear a cast on his hand this preseason following minor surgery, and Dede each had 29 tackles. - College Football -

True freshman Tray Blackmon is listed as a second-team linebacker behind Antarrious Williams.

The defensive front will be flanked by ends Stanley McClover and Marquies Gunn. Tommy Jackson is the noseguard and Wayne Dickens is the tackle.

The offensive front will be manned by, left to right, Marcus McNeill, Ben Grubbs, Cope, Tim Duckworth and Troy Reddick. - College Football -

Wide receiver Devin Aromashodu is the No. 1 kickoff return specialist. He's followed by Patrick Lee and Courtney Taylor. Tre Smith will return punts. Robert Dunn and Anthony Campbell will be the top reserves.

Offensive line coach Hugh Nall says while only one can start, both Cope and Ross will play Saturday.

"I've been working Steven and Joe half and half, so if we have eight plays first team, they'll go four and four," Nall said. "That will be my game plan. Steven will get in after the first two series depending on how things are going." - College Football -

Tre Smith is listed as the first-team tailback. He's followed by Carl Stewart and Kenny Irons. But that's a bit misleading because Auburn figures to play two tailbacks at once, at least occasionally, as it did last year with Ronnie Brown and Carnell Williams.

Offensive coordinator Al Borges said Smith, Stewart and Irons all will play.

"If we're not using them, we're not smart," Borges said.

Charles Goldberg --

© 2005 The Birmingham News.

HDTV-buying season kicks off with football
With NFL and college game broadcasts increasingly offered in high definition, autumn is 2nd only to Christmas in sets sold

As summer nears an end, there are a few things you can count on: Schools will reopen, temperatures will fall, and America's love with the NFL will resume.

And that last one usually means more TV sales.

Outside of the holiday shopping season, fall has become the favorite time of year for consumers to fork over thousands of dollars for a new high-definition television. And one key reason is that the networks, particularly those that broadcast college and professional football games, are increasingly offering more programming in high definition.

"Last year was the first we rolled out six NFL games a week in high def," said Dan Bell, vice president of communications for Fox Sports. "We do more pro football games each Sunday than anyone else and feel we offer the best visual and audio experience."

Fox plans to broadcast the same number of football games in high definition this year, along with coverage of the baseball playoffs and World Series. Besides sports, Bell said Fox also will offer "all regular series programming, other than animation and select reality shows," in high definition.

Plans at CBS are similar, where the network has announced more than 30 hours of programming a week to be broadcast in high definition.

Carol Stream's Jeff Schroeder, who recently purchased a 70-inch Hitachi high-definition TV, is ready for fall to arrive.

"I had another set that kept breaking, and I didn't want to put more money into it," Schroeder said. "I'm a big fan of the NFL, and as a White Sox fan I'm looking forward to the playoffs and, hopefully, the World Series. And with a lot of the networks broadcasting now in HD, and friends talking about how great it was, I decided to get into it."

Retailers and manufacturers couldn't be happier with the plans by the major networks to increase programming.

The biggest advance in the promotion of high-definition TV sets "goes to the content side of the house," said Greg Gudorf, vice president of television marketing for Sony Electronics.

Paula Baldwin, a spokeswoman for Best Buy, said there is definitely a noticeable "uptick in TV sales during the fall."

"There seem to be two categories where we see a growth in sales--home appliances and television," Baldwin said. "It's almost like folks get their kids back to school or off to college, and then they look at improving their quality of life in the area of maybe cooking or home entertainment."

Manufacturers are learning to take advantage of the fall programming schedule.

"We introduce products in July and August to make sure they get in the pipeline," Sony's Gudorf said. "There's always the tech question of people waiting for the next thing, but today the cost curve is as attractive as you could possibly want.

"The cost and performance value is there, and if you don't own a high-def set, you miss out on all the programming in the coming months."

Consumers are not missing out, apparently.

Sales figures compiled by the Consumer Electronics Association show the purchases of high-definition televisions continue to increase.

Shipments of all types of high-definition sets are up 45 percent through June over the same time last year, according to the association. Meanwhile, on a dollar basis, sales are up 23 percent, indicating that demand is leading to lower prices.

While it may be hard to determine an increase in sales over the next four to six weeks, due to current shipping data, the rise in programming "sharpens the hook that lures consumers to look at high-definition television," said Steve Koenig, senior manager of industry analysis for the trade group. "Sports are a large draw for HD adoption."

For shoppers looking to buy their first high-definition set to prepare for football season, there is a mixed bag in terms of prices and the latest technology.

David Sharos
The Tribune