Nov. 26
Each week I post my "Dick's Dow Jones" report on whose stock is up and whose is down from across the world of sports.

STOCK UP: Syracuse, Miami, Colorado
The Syracuse basketball team really showed some heart at Madison Square Garden last week, winning the Preseason NIT. It did not come easily for Jim Boeheim's team, but the Orangemen got to the winner's circle against Michigan State and Wake Forest. Defensive intensity during a 14-0 run against Wake Forest was the difference in the championship game. I'll say it again: Syracuse should rename its center court at the Carrier Dome for Boeheim, since he has done so much for the school.

What about the job done by Miami's football team! The Hurricanes beat Syracuse 59-0 last week, then did a number on Washington, 65-7. We're not talking about cupcake city here, baby! Larry Coker is getting the job done in his first season as head coach.

Gary Barnett did a great motivational job and Colorado was so impressive in taking care of business against previously unbeaten Nebraska. Prior to the 'Huskers game, Barnett gave his team a copy of an itinerary for the Big 12 championship game in Texas. That proved to be good incentive for the Buffs, who shut down Eric Crouch. Colorado put 62 points on the board -- awesome with a capital A!

Also, stock up for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Kordell Stewart. Pittsburgh came back from a 14-3 deficit on the road to beat the Titans. I am happy for Stewart, since he has been so maligned in recent years. The Steelers are in first place in the AFC Central thanks to their QB and a super defense.

STOCK DOWN: Michigan, Notre Dame
Michigan's football team, even though it came back in the second half against Ohio State ... the Buckeyes won at Ann Arbor for the first time since 1987, costing the Wolverines the Big Ten title. Jim Tressel promised he'd have success against Michigan and his team came through, jumping out to a 23-0 lead.

Notre Dame had another disappointment. The Irish led 13-3 late but Stanford came back to defeat Bob Davie's squad. Carlyle Holiday had a rough evening throwing the football, completing just 1-of-16 passes.

In the NFL, the Carolina Panthers now have lost 10 straight games -- they're in Detroit Lions territory. The Indianapolis Colts had another disappointing performance, falling to the 49ers.

Then there is super middleweight boxer James Butler. On Friday Night Fights on ESPN2, Butler lost to Richard Grant in a 10-round decision. After the fight, when it appeared the two men were going to shake hands, Butler threw a punch that floored Grant, who suffered a broken jaw. It was a terrible lack of sportsmanship, and Butler was arrested. It just shows there aren't many role models in that sport, and boxing has yet another black eye.