THE WEEK AHEAD
NO OFFENSE TO THE MEINEKE AND OTHER BOWLS, BUT NOW WE'RE GETTING INTO BIG-TIME COLLEGE FOOTBALL TERRITORY.
Future stars: High school All-American football game on ESPN.
Playoffs! The NFL playoffs begin with two wild-card-round games.
All the Tostitos: Oregon vs. Kansas State in the Fiesta Bowl.
Road warriors: Watch Timberwolves at Utah (8 p.m., FSN).
Smelling good: Rose Bowl. Orange Bowl. Get into it.
Good test: U men's hoops hosts Michigan State in conference opener.
Star Tribune Recommends
Star Tribune Recommends
Star Tribune Recommends
Star Tribune Recommends
Star Tribune Recommends
More From Sports
Twins
Hughes will start Sunday for Twins, first time since May
In his most recent rehab start, Phil Hughes threw five shutout innings on three hits with no walks and four strikeouts against Tampa.
Vikings

NFL strength of schedule almost never predictor of team's outcome
Yes, the Vikings' 2018 schedule is "tough." But the team with the 10th toughest strength of schedule has won the Super Bowl three of the past four years.
Wild
Wild must overcome bad math to stay alive against Winnipeg
The Jets have beaten the Wild in all four games played in Winnipeg this season and have won 11 in a row on home ice. And that's only part of the challenge facing Minnesota in tonight's win-or-go-home Game 5.
MN United
Intrigue, admiration, unrest: The Wenger years at Arsenal
Initially there was intrigue. Then there was admiration, many years of it. Next came pity, followed by a mixture of anger and apathy.It has been…
MN United
Lawyers for Russian player say FIFA ends anti-doping case
Lawyers for Russia defender Ruslan Kambolov have said FIFA closed an investigation into suspected doping, eight weeks before the World Cup begins.
StarTribune.com welcomes and encourages readers to comment and engage in substantive, mutually respectful exchanges over news topics. Commenters must follow our Terms of Use.
Comments will be reviewed before being published.