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Shanoff’s Wake-Up Call: Texas, Skins, NLCS

Oct 13, 2008, 12:30 PM UTC

Today’s Calls: Texas vs. Alabama vs. Penn State, Redskins vs. Cowboys, Pats vs. Oblivion, Matt Schaub vs. Dan Orlovsky, Hiroki Kuroda vs. Shane Victorino, NBA vs. the Outdoors and More.â†µâ†µThe Opening Pitch: It’s getting chippy out there.â†µ

â†µâ†µ— Phillies fans will undoubtedly be out for payback after last night’s “brush-down” tactic contributed to a big Dodgers win.â†µ

â†µâ†µ— Alabama fans may be ticked they “lost” their bye week, vaulted for No. 1 by Texas (and Penn State fans ticked to be “only” No. 3.)â†µ

â†µâ†µ— Redskins fans might be frustrated they could beat Dallas and Philly on the road the past two weeks, then lose to the Rams (in D.C.!)â†µ

â†µâ†µTake a deep breath: Whether it’s the LCS, the CFB rankings or the NFL season, there’s a ways to go. Don’t burn out on outrage now! â†µ

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â†µâ†µNFL Wrap: So much for the “hot” Redskins. One week, they’re coming off back-to-back road wins against the Cowboys and Eagles, one of the most impressive eight days in recent regular-season history. Yesterday, they lose at home to the winless Rams, who made history last week by appearing dead last on every single “Power Ranking” in the universe.â†µ

â†µâ†µMeanwhile, the Cowboys fall to the Cardinals, which — along with the Skins — leads the “Everything You Thought You Knew Is Wrong” portion of your Week 6 scoreboard. (Blocked punt? Really?)â†µ

â†µâ†µPats get romped: Let’s be clear. A regular-season win against a team that beat you in the previous season’s conference title game “avenges” nothing. However, if it makes the Chargers feel any better, they exposed the Pats as non-contenders. (Hey, can Tom Brady win MVP from rehab? Because without him, the Pats are not good.)â†µ

â†µâ†µWildcat Watch: Just as everyone was paying attention to it, the Dolphins’ “Wildcat” offense — which produced wins the past two weeks over the Pats and Chargers — was on the wrong end. In fact, Matt Schaub did HIS best impression of Ronnie Brown, running for the game-winning TD. Whaaa?!â†µ

â†µâ†µNFL NOTES:â†µ

â†µâ†µ— The Vikings stole one on a bad call, but the Minnesota fans (“Fy!-Er! Chil!-Dress!”) know that the Vikes’ win masks huge problems on offense. ...â†µ

â†µâ†µ— I think the Jaguars are back to being a Top 5 team. ...â†µ

â†µâ†µ— The successes of the Falcons completely baffle me. ...â†µ

â†µâ†µ— So does this mean Jeff Garcia is finally out of the doghouse? ...â†µ

â†µâ†µ— Gaffe of the Week: Dan Orlovsky, scrambling ... right out of the end zone. Brilliant! ...â†µ

â†µâ†µ— Fantasy Watch: At what point is it fair to ask the folks who run fantasy football to recognize Reggie Bush as a wide receiver?â†µ

â†µâ†µMNF: Unlike college football, there is no debate about the best team in the NFL — it’s the defending champ Giants, who should rack up another big win tonight in Cleveland.â†µ

â†µâ†µMLB NLCS: After winning the first two games at home, did the Phillies think the Dodgers were soft? That the team from the West Coast was going to just roll over?â†µ

â†µâ†µHardly: That’s what brush-back pitches — and near-brawls — are for. The Dodgers had to take the Phils out of their comfort zone. I’m no fan of baseball’s “unwritten rules” of payback, but as a tactic of gamesmanship to get into the Phillies’ heads? Totally well-played.â†µ

â†µâ†µAfter last night’s success for the Dodgers, I fully expect it to be “on.” Even if it doesn’t happen in Game 4, I fully expect the Phillies to punch back — probably back in the friendly confines of home.â†µ

â†µâ†µALCS: I don’t think anyone expected the Rays to sweep Games 1 and 2 in Tampa; the Red Sox are just too experienced (and too good) for that.â†µ

â†µâ†µBut with that emotional 11-inning walkoff win in Game 2, the Rays rocked postseason ace Josh Beckett — Jon Lester will actually be an upgrade over the iffy Beckett for Game 3. â†µ

â†µâ†µStill: All the Rays have to do is return the favor once in Boston to put the champs on their heels.â†µ

â†µâ†µCFB: Who’s No. 1? (And No. 2?) In my latest BlogPoll ballot, here’s how I would rank the BCS contenders: (1) Texas, then (2) Bama.â†µ

â†µâ†µ(Don’t pity No. 3 Penn State: Texas and Alabama both have brutal remaining schedules; Penn State has the soft Big Ten.)â†µ

â†µâ†µWhat the weekend did was resurrect the BCS chances for at least two one-loss teams: USC (already?) and Florida (controls SEC destiny).â†µ

â†µâ†µEven Oklahoma is arguably still the second-best team in the country, and Mizzou can reclaim its BCS mojo by beating Texas.â†µ

â†µâ†µ(No offense: OK State fans. Hey, I have your ‘Boys 4th, for winning at Mizzou. Blame pollsters who had you unranked in the preseason.)â†µ

â†µâ†µNBA Preseason: Why did the league’s attempt at an outdoor game fail? The word from an attendee cited two factors:â†µ

â†µâ†µ(1) Because it was preseason, the game lacked both late-quarter star power and any sense of win-the-thing urgency.â†µ

â†µâ†µ(2) The weather conditions — cold-ish and windy — were not ideal either.â†µ

â†µâ†µMeanwhile, the Warriors suspended Monta Ellis for 30 games, roughly what the NBA would do to him if he assaulted a fan. Seems harsh, albeit irrelevant — he’s on the DL for the 30 games anyway.â†µ

â†µâ†µNASCAR: Memo to Carl Edwards — if you’re going to choke another driver, try to do it without being caught on camera. Edwards added injury to insult by finishing 33rd at Lowe’s Motor Speedway this weekend.â†µ

â†µâ†µGolf: Thoughts and prayers for the family, friends and fans of golfer Steve Ballesteros, diagnosed with a brain tumor.â†µ

â†µâ†µCBB: Kentucky gets the new season off distinctively, because these are the worst-looking uniforms in college hoops history.â†µ

â†µâ†µPop Culture: I’m slightly obsessed with that ubiquitous new Nike Football ad featuring LaDainian Tomlinson and Troy Polamalu, tracing them from infancy through boyhood through their careers in the pros, all in 1 minute. Amazing stuff.â†µ

â†µâ†µThe Last Word: If Eric Mangini can name his new baby after Brett Favre, does that give me permission to name my own new baby — due any minute now — after Tim Tebow? (No? You’re totally right.)â†µ

â†µâ†µDan Shanoff writes The Wake-Up Call every weekday morning for SportingNews.com and blogs daily at DanShanoff.com. Got any comments, questions or feedback? Email Dan at shanofftsn-[at]-gmail-[dot]-com.â†µ

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