Week Ahead

FRIDAY 9/7
U.S. Open women's semifinals
The best action will be in the top half of the draw, where Justine Henin , who destroyed her first four opponents, is on a collision course to meet Venus Williams in the semis—provided Henin can get past Serena in the quarters. (The final is Saturday at 8 p.m.)
CBS 12:30 p.m.

SATURDAY 9/8
Marathon du M�doc
What makes this race the toughest marathon in the world? You try running 26.2 miles on four bottles of wine while dressed like a clown. The all-day event—which features runners in costumes and includes more than 50 stops for water, wine and food—staggers from ch�teau to ch�teau in the French countryside. If Lindsay Lohan ever ran a marathon, this would be it.

UFC: Quinton (Rampage) Jackson vs. Dan (Hollywood) Henderson
It's the ultimate Ultimate fight, if you will. Rampage (right), who recently pounded Chuck Lidell for the UFC light heavyweight title, faces Henderson , who holds title belts in two weight classes in the rival PRIDE Fighting Championships.
Spike 9 p.m.

SUNDAY 9/9
Giants at Cowboys
Fresh from criticizing New York QB Eli Manning 's leadership skills, newly minted NBC commentator Tiki Barber will get another chance to rip his old team. Possible targets: linebacker Michael Strahan , who held out most of camp in a salary dispute, and coach Tom Coughlin , whose play-calling Barber trashed last year.
NBC 8:15 p.m.

TUESDAY 9/11
FIFA Women's World Cup: North Korea vs. U.S.
In their first match, from Chengdu , China , forward Abby Wambach (right) and the United States take on an extremely determined (and no-fun-sounding) North Korean team, which is ranked No. 5 in the world. Said coach Kim Kwang-Min: "We are not happy and satisfied even though we secured a place at the FIFA Women's World Cup, because we came to here to be champions." Yikes. ESPN2 4:55 a.m.

SI PICK OF THE WEEK

SATURDAY 9/8
Miami at Oklahoma
The No. 8 Sooners thrashed North Texas 79--10 last Saturday—and they did it without their top running back. Senior Allen Patrick , who rushed more than 100 yards four times in five starts last season after taking over for an injured Adrian Peterson , sat out the game with a sprained ankle. No problem. Redshirt freshman quarterback Sam Bradford (above) was 21 of 23 for 363 yards, and freshman DeMarco Murray ran for 87 yards and five TDs. Patrick should be ready this weekend as the Hurricanes come to Norman for their first trip under coach Randy Shannon (page 64).
ABC noon