1. The Detroit Tigers, whose lead in the American League Central is now only a game and a… 1. The Detroit Tigers, whose lead in the American League Central is now only a game and a half, should be panicking.

Jeff Greer: Fact, but not end-of-the-world panicking. Detroit is 30-31 since the All-Star break and, even worse, 23-28 against the White Sox, Twins, Yankees and Athletics. My biggest concern for the Tigers is their ability to close out games – they’re 8-16 in games decided by two runs or less since the beginning of August. What they could use is some veteran leadership both on the mound and at the plate from Ivan Rodriguez, Kenny Rogers, Carlos Guillen and Magglio Ordonez, especially in close games. Regardless of how this team finishes out the regular season, manager Jim Leyland will have them ready for the big time.

Dave Thomas: Fiction. Regardless of whether they end up winning the division or not, they are still five games up in the wild card race, and a wild card team has won the World Series every year but last year since 2002. Now isn’t the time to panic, though. Since the All-Star break, they have the second-worst record in baseball. While that is worrisome, a letdown seemed almost inevitable after their red-hot start to the season. What they need to do is do what they did at the beginning of the season – go out there and play with no expectations and just have fun. If the Tigers want a chance at a ring, worrying should be the last thing on their minds.

2. Pitt’s loss to Michigan State on Saturday was a more accurate depiction of the team than their first two easy victories this season.

JG: Fact. It’s a depiction of everything we expected heading into the season. Nobody thought Pitt would play in any BCS bowls this year – we knew they were molding to head coach Dave Wannstedt’s preferred style. The loss sobered Panther fans as it proved that Pitt is still one or two years away from the size and speed required to have a big-time program. But Pitt can still win eight games while giving its younger players valuable experience in pressurized situations.

DT: Fact. On Saturday, Pitt looked like a team with great potential, but at the same time, one with great weaknesses. After a stellar first quarter where they dominated the play, the Panthers were outsized and outplayed and really couldn’t do anything until late in the fourth when the game was out of reach. If this Panther team were in the Big East of a few years ago, a lot more of the Panthers’ games would look like that. But the fact of the matter is that because of their schedule, Pitt could win the rest of their games until they see West Virginia in November. So while they might get a bowl game, the reality is that the Panthers just aren’t as good as their 2-0 record made them seem.

3. The Penguins, who played last season without a captain after Mario Lemieux retired in January, should name 19-year-old Sidney Crosby their team captain.

JG: Fiction. Crosby already has enough pressure on him as a budding star with the entire weight of the NHL resting on his shoulders. Make John LeClair or Mark Recchi captain, because they’ve got the experience that younger players admire. Crosby will certainly be fit for the captaincy soon, but give him another season or two to grow in the league and work out the kinks in his game. DT: Fact. Everyone in that dressing room knows that this is Crosby’s team. This kid is mature beyond his years in every aspect as a hockey player – leadership skills included. He led by example all last season and was the only bright spot in a year filled with turmoil. Let this season be a sign of a new beginning and put the “C” on his sweater. It should give him more confidence than anything else. Head coach Michel Therien needs to make a statement and say that he is our franchise and he is our leader, respect him. 4. Maurice Clarrett, who was sentenced to a minimum of three and a half years in prison for robbery and concealed weapons charges after an unexpected plea deal was met on Monday, is the biggest NFL Draft disappointment of all time.

JG: Fiction. Clarrett had already started crumbling before he entered the NFL Draft. Ryan Leaf is the most disappointing NFL Draft pick in the history of the event. Picked second overall, the quarterback impressed NFL scouts with his cannon of an arm. Four years and four teams later, Leaf left the league in disgrace. He is now the quarterbacks coach at West Texas A’M University; and no, I didn’t make up the school.

DT: Fiction. While Clarrett’s demise has been a sad and disappointing story to follow, Jeff’s right, this started way before the Broncos picked Clarrett in the third round last season. Leaf, on the other hand, was believed to be comparable to Peyton Manning when he came into the league. He turned out to be nothing but a head case and in my opinion, the biggest draft disappointment ever.

5. After their Monday night loss to the Jaguars, the Steelers’ week-three matchup against the defending AFC North champions, the Cincinnati Bengals, is a “must-win” game.

JG: Fact – but only because it’s at home. The Steelers still have at least eight games they should win this season, so they certainly aren’t close to being in trouble, but they need to win division games at home. The Bengals and Ravens will be Pittsburgh’s biggest rivals for the AFC North, and beating them on the road will be awfully difficult. In the meantime, get Ben Roethlisberger healthy and figure out a way to use Willie Parker more effectively.

DT: Fact. This game is as much of a “must-win” as the defending Super Bowl champs could have in week three. While obviously the Steelers’ season won’t be over if they lose, it will be a tough road to navigate if they are 1-2 and the Bengals are 3-0. With that said, this Steelers team thrived on must-win situations all last season, and that’s what got them their ring. So I think Bill Cowher and his staff will play up this idea and use it as a motivational tool on Sunday. I look for the Steelers to respond in front of their home crowd and make a statement.