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Shanoff’s WUC: Favre, A-Rod, Lidge, Oregon

Nov 2, 2009, 1:00 PM UTC

Today’s Calls: Brett Favre vs. Packers fans, A-Rod vs. Brad Lidge, Vince Young vs. Eli Manning, Ted Ginn vs. Ryan Moats, Oregon vs. Boise, Texas vs. Florida, Chris Paul vs. Rajon Rondo, Carmelo vs. Kobe and More.â†µâ†µThe Opening Pitch: Shut. The. [Bleep.] Up.â†µ

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â†µI have never seen a "STFU" game like we got from Brett Favre yesterday in Green Bay. It's as if the Cheesehead boos -- and I was thrilled to hear those -- were nourishment ... performance-enhancers ... some kind of Fountain of Youth that Favre could slurp from.â†µ

â†µâ†µHe entered the game smirking at the hostile reception. He left the game jubilantly jumping into the arms of his teammates, leaving the angry, disappointed Packers fans to wallow in the nostalgia.â†µ

â†µâ†µIn what might have stung Packers fans most, Favre was even magnanimous in victory: “I’m not going to sit here and throw any daggers. We played about as good as we can play. ... That’s the satisfying thing.”â†µ

â†µâ†µAll things considered -- the homecoming, the standings, the attention, the stats -- this was arguably the finest regular-season performance of Favre’s career. And ironically -- so ironically -- it came at Lambeau Field.â†µ

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â†µThe Packers fans aren't booing loudly anymore. Weeping quietly, perhaps. â†µ

â†µâ†µWorld Series: A-Rod the Hero. Speaking of “STFU,” A-Rod had a moment to match Favre, with his go-ahead (and game-winning) double in the 9th off “Bad” Brad Lidge and scoring the one-man double-steal, Johnny Damon.â†µ

â†µâ†µThe “A-Rod-emption” story line continues. He and the Yankees are now just one win in three games from a championship -- even with Cliff Lee pitching tonight, it feels like too many chances for the Yankees that they can’t possibly blow it now. Probably won’t come tonight, but wouldn’t Yankees fans rather win it at the Stadium anyway?â†µ

â†µâ†µNFL Talking Pointsâ†µ

â†µâ†µ• GOTW? No Contest: Remember when people thought the Giants were the best team in the NFC? The Eagles proved the Giants are not even the best team in the division.â†µ

â†µâ†µ• Ugh Bowl: The Lions losing at home to the Rams this season is even more humiliating than going 0-16 last season.â†µ

â†µâ†µ• First Win: Vince Young had the 3rd-best QB rating in the league on Sunday. And the Titans won. (Get it yet, Jeff Fisher?)â†µ

â†µâ†µ• First Loss: For the Broncos finally losing, it was when, not if. (No shame in losing to the Ravens in Baltimore.)â†µ

â†µâ†µ• Unlikely Hero: Ted Ginn. If he can deliver a couple of 100-yard kickoff returns for TDs every game, he doesn’t need to take a single productive snap as a receiver.â†µ

â†µâ†µ• “Just when you thought you understand the season” moment: Panthers over Cards in Arizona.â†µ

â†µâ†µ• Moral Victory: 49ers hanging with Colts in Indy. If not for Reggie Wayne going bananas....â†µ

â†µâ†µ• Fantasy Stud: Ryan Moats (126 yds, 3 TDs, Texans new starting RB?)â†µ

â†µâ†µMNF: Falcons at Saints. It seems fitting that Drew Brees would get the national stage all to himself at the midpoint of the season, given his absolute dominance of it up til this point. â†µ

â†µâ†µCFB Weekend Hangoverâ†µ

â†µâ†µ• Texas is a BCS title-game lock.â†µ

â†µâ†µ• Tim Tebow/Florida’s offense is back.â†µ

â†µâ†µ• Oregon’s resume is now better than Boise’s.â†µ

â†µâ†µ• No way Iowa can sustain this pace.â†µ

â†µâ†µ• Next week’s best: LSU@Bama, OHSt@PennStâ†µ

â†µâ†µMy BlogPoll Ballot Top 10: (1) Texas, (2) TCU, (3) Florida, (4) Cincinnati, (5) Alabama, (6) Oregon, (7) Boise State, (8) LSU, (9) Iowa, (10) Georgia Tech. (Other notables: Utah 11th, USC 14th. See the whole thing here and see the latest BCS results here.)â†µ

â†µâ†µNBA Weekend: The Magic are the revelation of the first week of the season. Playing without Rashard Lewis, they are still destroying teams. Yesterday, they were without Lewis AND Vince Carter, yet still drilled the Raptors. Why? They still have plenty of guys who can drain 3s -- notably, JJ Redick and Ryan Anderson, who is looking like the best trade “throw-in” of the decade. More:â†µ

â†µâ†µ• You know Carmelo is having a sick year when he can eclipse Kobe’s 41 with his own 42.â†µ

â†µâ†µ• Statement game for Brandon Jenningsâ†µ

â†µâ†µ• Trevor Ariza: Making Morey look (even) smarter.â†µ

â†µâ†µ• Arenas is b-a-c-k: Who needs Butler and Jamison?â†µ

â†µâ†µCBB Countdown: No. 9 Villanova, No. 10 Mississippi St, No. 11 Georgetown. I have Nova as a Final Four team, so I find the 9-ranking to be a mistake. The Bulldogs are only as good as Renardo Sidney’s eligibility. G’town needs a big year.â†µ

â†µâ†µJohn Wall Watch: The one-year Wall Era in college basketball may commence, now that the NCAA has cleared him to play.â†µ

â†µâ†µThe Last Word: “There’s no question -- I’ve never had a bigger hit.” -- A-Rod.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. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/danshanoff. â†µ

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