REMOTE PATROL
Ponder time: Packers vs. Vikings in the latest installment. 3 p.m., Ch. 9.
Tough: IRB World Cup rugby final, France vs. New Zealand. 2 p.m., Ch. 11.
Fall Classic: Game 4 between the Cardinals and Rangers. 7 p.m., Ch. 9.
Not the same: Super Bowl rematch from 2009. Colts vs. Saints, 7:15 p.m., Ch. 11.
THE BUZZ
THE BUZZ UConn women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma is never one to shy away from a topic. Still, it was interesting to hear him dig into the mess the conference is in with teams bailing out. He blamed Notre Dame not being part of the conference in football only for the instability. "They've been in our league 17 years, so how long are we going to date before we just decide this ain't working," Auriemma said.
Click pick Even actor Josh Duhamel is interested in Sunday's game. He tweeted at Christian Ponder: "I hope your first start vs the Packers is GANGBUSTERS!"
LETTERS OF THE WEEK
Send yours to mrand@startribune.com
Wait for it ...So the Vikings let it be known that rookie QB Christian Ponder will start Sunday against the Green Bay Packers, the No. 1 team in the NFL. I think they should have waited and let him start against Detroit. Given the way the season has gone for the Vikings, it seems more symbolically appropriate to throw a Christian to the Lions.
Willis Woyke, Columbia Heights
Good idea, but lateI commend both the NBA and its players association for bringing a mediator to the collective bargaining agreement negotiations. My question for Commissioner David Stern and Executive Director Billy Hunter: Why didn't you do this sooner?
Dan Wicht, Fridley
Shortstop bluesSomewhere Nick Punto is laughing, J.J. Hardy is chuckling, and Tsuyoshi Nishioka is struggling. Considering how his predecessors did with so much less, 2012 has got to be Twins GM Bill Smith's last bid for success.
Rob Godfrey, St. Louis Park
