Catfight

SAT 9/3
When the Texas Southern University and Prairie View A&M football squads meet this Saturday, the Tigers and Panthers should deliver a bite more vicious than the one that brought Siegfried and Roy's show to an end. The historically black universities will clash for the 12th time in the annual Labor Day Classic. For fans, it's a chance to grub, show off their school pride and sport a new outfit (folks really dress up for this one). It's also an opportunity to see some of the fanciest footwork and best use of hands in college football -- and that's just the bands (and cheerleaders) during the halftime show.

There's good football too, as the TSU Tigers and PVAMU Panthers start their trek to the SWAC Championship. Last year, the Panthers defeated TSU 25-7, marking the Tigers' first Classic loss in 14 years. The Tigers went on to an embarrassing 0-11 season. Ouch!

"But last year is over," says TSU head coach Steve Wilson. "We've seen a lot of improvement." As far as PVAMU, head coach Henry Frazier says his men are prepared. "We just want to be able to anticipate the other team," he says. Sports talk aside, if you're ready for some show-stopping moves -- during and between the plays -- have your ass in a seat at 7 p.m. Saturday, September 3. Reliant Stadium, One Reliant Park. For tickets and information, call 713-313-6830 or visit www.ticketmaster.com. $20 to $26. -- Eric Ervin

Superstitious Minds

FRI 9/2
You won't meet a more superstitious bunch than die-hard sports fans, who seriously believe their own actions are responsible for their team's success or failure. "I wore this underwear the last time we won," notes the particularly aware fan. "Damn, I knew I shouldn't have showered before our away game," moans another. We're hardly above all this. In fact, we'll go on record citing that every time we've predicted doom for our Houston Astros, they've managed to flourish. Coincidence? Please! This Friday, the 'Stros welcome the St. Louis Cardinals, the primary obstacle to Houston's divisional title hunt. We're predicting a heartbreaking loss. (Translation: Astros win! Now, where did we put that underwear...?) 7:05 p.m. Friday, September 2. Minute Maid Park, 501 Crawford. For tickets and information, call 713-259-8000 or visit www.astros.com. Tickets start at $1 for kids and $5 for adults. -- Steven Devadanam