The 'other' title game? Some thought No. 3 Texas deserved to play for the BCS championship. Instead, the system shuffled the Longhorns out of the Big 12 title game and any chance to go to Miami. They play No. 10 Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl holding to the notion that an impressive victory coupled with a middlin' win by Florida or Oklahoma could give them claim to No. 1 in the AP poll, which is not obligated to crown the BCS winner. More, Page D-3.

Did you know: Since December 2006, Ohio State has lost four in a row to top-5 teams by an average score of 31-12.

To watch: 8 p.m., WPGH.

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Penguins: The local professional hockey club plays its lone home game in an 11-day stretch against the Atlanta Thrashers.

Did you know: Despite having two of the greatest players in the world in Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, the Penguins are 29th in the NHL in shots per game (27.2). Only Atlanta is worse (27.1).

To watch: 7:30 p.m., Mellon Arena, FSN Pittsburgh.

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A-10 opener: Despite huge turnover, Duquesne (9-4) enters its Atlantic 10 Conference opener vs. Charlotte just one game off the pace set by last year's team that went on to post the Dukes' first winning season since 1993-94.

Did you know: Through non-conference play, the Dukes are second in the A-10 in scoring (77.8 ppg), led by senior Aaron Jackson (17 ppg, tied for fourth in the league). Rhode Island is No. 1 at 81.5 points a game.

To watch: 7 p.m., Palumbo Center.

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The BCS: Two high-powered offenses averaging 99.1 ppg combined. Two Heisman winners in Florida's Tim Tebow and Oklahoma's Sam Bradford. But when the night is over in Miami, there can be only one champion -- No. 1 Florida or No. 2 Oklahoma.

Did you know: For all the tradition and history of these two programs, this marks the first game between the schools.

To watch: 8 p.m., WPGH.

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Beast of the East: The Boston Celtics (29-5) and Cleveland Cavaliers (27-5) have dominated the NBA East. They meet for the first time since opening night.

Did you know: LeBron James just turned 24 Dec. 30. He has 11,568 points in 5 1/2 seasons. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is No. 1 all time with 38,387 in 20.

To watch: 8 p.m., ESPN.

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Is this Denver? The Penguins make just their second trip to Colorado to face the Avalanche in five years when they hook up with the one-time Western Conference power for an afternoon start in the Rockies.

Did you know: You have to go back even further to find the most recent Penguins win in Colorado -- a 3-2 victory Feb. 25, 1999, on a late goal by Martin Straka.

To watch: 3 p.m., FSN Pittsburgh.

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Steelers & the postseason: Miami? Indianapolis? San Diego? One of those three will find its way to the North Shore for a late-afternoon date with the Steelers, who are 3-1 in wild-card and divisional round play at Heinz Field.

Did you know: Only the Dallas Cowboys (25) have more playoff berths than the Steelers (24) since the NFL merger in 1970. Rounding out the top five: Minnesota (23), Miami (22) and San Francisco (21).

To watch: 4:45 p.m., Heinz Field, KDKA.

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