THE MAG.COM PRESENTS:
ALL WORLD POWER RANKINGS

by Ted Bauer

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This game was amazing.

WHEN IT COMES TO THE BEST BATTLES OF ILLINOIS AND ARIZONA, WE'RE GOING WITH THE 2005 ELITE EIGHT

[Ed's note: Not sure what All-World Power Rankings is? Please click here.]

Pretty big one tonight, eh? If Senator Barack Obama wins, he'll be the first President from Illinois since Grant. If Senator John McCain wins, he'll be the first President from Arizona ever, although Barry Goldwater did make an effort or two in there. Got us thinking: there are a few examples in sports (and society) of someone from Illinois going against someone from Arizona. Seemed a relevant day to rank such incidents. Side note: Chicago's losing the nickname battle, right? "Windy City" vs. "The Valley of the Sun?" Where would you rather live?

TOP 5
RANK (YESTERDAY)		WHAT	WHY
	1 (10)	2005 ELITE EIGHT: ARIZONA VS. ILLINOIS	If you forgot about this game, this page will give you a great rundown of details. Here's video. Absolutely improbable comeback, to this level: at the time, we were in a fight with our girlfriend. In perhaps the worst move in the history of relationships, we said: "Can we postpone this fight until this game is finally over?" Yep, we're single today.
	2 (35)	1993 NBA FINALS: BULLS VS. SUNS	Here's a summary of the series. We think a dude like Charles Barkley, for as charismatic as he is, should have a ring. Everyone loves MJ (and rightfully so), but the guy has six of 'em. Shame this couldn't have swung Phoenix's way. It might have if they had any answer for Jordan; he had 55 (!) in Game 4.
	3 (62)	2007 NLDS: DIAMONDBACKS VS. CUBS	Anyone else think this series is totally representative of the problems of the current Cubs?
	4 (9)	2006 NCAA SOFTBALL TITLE: NORTHWESTERN VS. ARIZONA	Yep. Apparently it costs $24.99 to watch this online? *Really?*
	5 (42)	OCTOBER 2006: BEARS 24, CARDINALS 23	Remember this game? Read this. It's quite possible this is when Matt Leinart jumped the shark. (It also might have happened right here.) (Well, or here.) We digress. The important thing about this game was that it led to this Denny Green clip, which is epic.

HONORABLE MENTION
RANK (YESTERDAY)		WHAT	WHY
	82 (139)	MUSIC SCENE BATTLE!	Phoenix has Alice Cooper, Bret Michaels, Stevie Nicks and CeCe Peniston, among others. Chicago can counter with Kanye West, Common, Muddy Waters, Patti Smith, and—brace yourself—most of Fall Out Boy. This one might be too close to call.
	103 (1,870)	OCTOBER 2008: BLACKHAWKS 4, COYOTES 1	Don't think it was important? Even though the talented-and-rising Blackhawks won the game, they fired Denis Savard afterwards. Was it the beginning of a new dynasty?

RISING AND FALLING
MOVEMENT		WHAT
		BULLS VS. SUNS IN THE FINALS? (Was supposed to be the Finals two years ago. It could happen once both rebuilding efforts are complete. Sorry, Shaq. You've got your four.)
		NORTHWESTERN VS. UA/ASU IN THE ROSE BOWL (Not likely anytime soon.)