Trending Topics: August 15

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By Marissa Mitchell - bio | email

Sports Illustrated ranks Alabama as pre-season number one. It also predicts the Crimson Tide will defeat the USC Trojans in the National Championship game on January 7. Tide junior quarterback A.J. McCarron is on the front cover of one of the five regional covers. The Auburn Tigers made the rankings too, coming in at number 24. The magazine names Avery Young as the Tiger's key recruit and Philip Lutzenkirchen as their breakout player for the 2012 season.

Here's a saga that keeps going. Chad Johnson's wife has filed for divorce after 41 days of marriage. The former Miami Dolphins receiver was arrested last weekend for head-butting her. The Dolphins cut him from the team the next day.

Lots of folks remembering Nerdy Arnold Horshack of "Welcome Back, Kotter." Actor Ron Palillo played the character. Palillo died Tuesday in Florida. He was 63 years old. Co-star John Travolta remembered his friend as a wonderful person and talent.

Lots of investors watching Facebook stock. The company's so-called "lock up" agreement with many of its shareholders ends Thursday. That means those shareholders have the option to dump more than 270 million shares. Facebook stock has lost nearly half its value since its debut in May.