#1: AN ODE TO KIRK HINRICH

With the basketball season upon us, the Chicago Bulls welcome back a familiar face. Jeremy Gordon has fond memories of Kirk Hinrich in this essay for The Classical.

STORY: Why We Watch: Kirk Hinrich, Historical Figure

#2 DE-FENSE ROCKS

Two months into the NFL season, both Bears corners have been named “Player of the Month.” Brad Biggs on the much-deserved hardware for Charles Tillman and Tim Jennings in the Trib.

STORY: Racking up recognition

#3: SOUTH BEND RISING

The Irish, at 8-0, are in the hunt for a national championship, but even if they lose two of their last four, BCS officials are still salivating, writes the Associated Press.

STORY: BCS would consider 2-loss Notre Dame team for berth

#4: PEAVY STAYS

The White S0x and and the 31-year-old right-hander from Alabama agreed on a two-year, $29-million deal. Dave Cameron breaks it down at Fan Graphs.

STORY: White Sox Re-Sign Jake Peavy for 2/$29M

#5: ROSE HEARTS PIZZA

D-Rose invested in Giordano’s and now he’s starring in a fun commercial (that already had 35,000 views on YouTube.) Watch it here, or below.