Each week I will do a column on things going on in the world of sports...

•You have to give the Patriots credit for coming from behind to beat the Colts in Indianapolis. Tom Brady made several big plays in the fourth quarter and Randy Moss made several brilliant catches. In crunch time, the New England defense put pressure on Peyton Manning and forced a key fumble that locked up the game for Bill Belichick's unbeaten club.

•Is there any doubt about the NFL Rookie of the Year? Adrian Peterson put on another show against the Chargers, setting an NFL record with his 296 rushing yards. He continues to make big plays when he gets in the open field, breaking long touchdown runs.

•Remember when the Saints were really struggling and people were wondering about Drew Brees and Reggie Bush? Those times have come and gone. Brees threw for 445 yards against the Jacksonville defense while Bush found his way into the end zone twice. This New Orleans team can be very dangerous in the NFC in the second half.

•The Lions and Browns continue to write amazing stories. Both teams have been among the biggest surprises in the NFL this season. Detroit ripped Denver, 44-7 in a no-contest mismatch. Jon Kitna predicted the Lions would win 10 games and he is more than halfway there. Cleveland came back and beat Seattle as Derek Anderson continues to impress.

•The Oregon Ducks sent a message loud and clear. Oregon 35, Arizona State 23. Both teams were in the top five in the BCS standings going into the contest, and Dennis Dixon showed how good he is until leaving the contest with an injury. Dixon threw four touchdown passes. With Matt Ryan and Boston College falling at home to Florida State, Mr. Dixon has to be a legit candidate for the Heisman Trophy. The key is simple … will he come back from that injury?

•After 43 years of losing to Notre Dame, the Naval Academy finally got its breakthrough at South Bend. Prior to Saturday, the Midshipmen last beat the Irish way back in 1963, when Roger Staubach was running the offensive show. Navy found a way to get into the end zone and score on the two-point conversion in the third overtime to enjoy the special moment.

•Talking about streaks, what about Nebraska and its humiliation and embarrassment against Kansas. We are talking football and not basketball my friends. Kansas put 76 points on the board to remain unblemished. Wow!

•It was such a sad story out of New York City and the Olympic marathon qualifying. The passing of Ryan Shay at age 28 was so tragic. Our sympathies to his family and friends.

•What about the performance by Arkansas running back Darren McFadden? Do you think he got back into the Heisman race? All he did was run for 323 yards, an SEC record. He ran roughshod over Steve Spurrier's Gamecock defense. The Old Ball Coach had no defense to stop the Arkansas running game as McFadden and teammate Felix Jones (163 yards) were sensational in a 48-36 win.

•Joe Girardi became manager of the Yankees. Let me tell you, he is a leader who got the maximum out of his ability as a major league player. If the players respond, with his mental tenacity, his toughness and competitive spirit, the Yankees will be fine. Also, great news for the Dodgers as Joe Torre goes from the pinstripes to the Dodger blue. You'd better believe Tommy Lasorda is happy to have his paison buddy out in Tinseltown. Torre will be a big plus with a franchise capable of winning that division

Dick Vitale coached the Pistons and the University of Detroit before broadcasting ESPN's first college basketball game in December 1979. Send him a question for possible use on ESPNEWS.