Welcome To Jungle! Week 1 Is Here!

And so it is...Week 1 has officially kicked off. ESPN cameras were on and ready for the network's Thursday night, season-opening telecast. Guns 'N Roses lead singer Axl Rose sang the Star Spangled Banner at Dolphins Stadium in Miami, and the 11th ranked Hurricanes kicked off Season 3 of the RUTS Dynasty against the 9th-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini.

Miami, a 10-game winner in Season 2, captured a big win, 21-0 against the Illini and will likely crack the Top 10 for the first time in RUTS history next week. The Hurricanes relied heavily on their strong running game, but the tough Illini defense held star tailback Graig Cooper in check, to the tune of 60 yards rushing. Nonetheless, the Hurricanes talent and speed on defense sominated the game, forcing two red-zone turnovers. Miami gets a few extra days of preparation before its week 2 game in Gainesville against the Gators. One thing is certain though, Miami, an ACC doormat in RUTS season 1, is back on the map as a college football powerhouse. But with huge rivalry games on the road against Florida and LSU in the next two weeks, can they sustain their momentum?
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Showdowns Galore in Week 1

#4 Clemson @ #7 Florida
In a rematch of last season's dramatic week 1 game, the two-time defending national champion Tigers hit the road and make their first visit to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Last season, Clemson earned a 32-22 win over the Gators, but Florida had the ball driving for the win before a Clemson defender stepped in fron tof a Cameron Newton pass and took it back for a touchdown. The big storyline in this game is how will each team replace its superstars from last season - CJ Spiller and Percy Harvin. The Rowdy Reptiles will be ferocious and will make it difficult for Tiger Qb Willie Korn to audible. Look for this game to go down to the wire and be potentially low scoring, but with only 1 loss in RUTS history, it's hard to pick against the Tigers.

#12 Texas @ #2 LSU
The Longhorns and their new Coach zeejaydee travel east to Baton Rouge to open the season. It's a night game in Death Valley, which is never an easy task, but the Longhorns are as talented as any team in the country, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Coach zeejaydee also is excited about the leadership and playmaking abilities of his star QB, Sherrod Harris. Harris spurned the NFL draft last April to return for his senior season in orange and white, and his scrambling abilities will be a force for LSU to reckon with. LSU returns 8 starters on defense and has what some consider to be the finest secondary in the country, with 5 defensive backs rated 91 or higher. On offense, LSU returns veteran Qb Jarrett Lee and star WR Terrance Toliver, but lost 3 senior RBs from last year's team. The big storylin in Baton Rouge has been the battle for the starting tailback position. Coach UTVol54 has stifled those rumors by stating that all four of LSU's dynamic running backs (Murphy, Underwood, Outlaw, and Osborne) will split carries early on. This game is difficult to predict, as we're not exactly sure what to expect from Texas. Will coach zeejaydee use the same playcalling style he used at Georgia (pound the rock), or will the Longhorns use Harris' elusiveness and strong arm to spread the Tiger defense out?

Nebraska @ #6 Florida State
This could be one of the most intriuging games of week 1. The Cornhuskers roll into Tomahawk territory with a new coach, a new attitude, and a pair of explosive RBs that look to test the man-hood of the Seminole defense. The fans in Lincoln will be traveling in full force to Tallahasse this week and look to give their team a home away from home feeling. Although the game time forcast calls for tempeartures in te upper 90s, Coach ccut has promised to wear his new white tuxedo/red bow tie on the sidelines and says he will "sweat profusely with his players," the mark of a true player's coach. Coach cjohnchavis laughed at the notion that the Black Shirts defense of Nebraska would make its return this week, stating that his offense will be his most explosive and fast since coming to FSU. Heisman candidate Christian Ponder has a plethora of talented WRs to throw to, especially Bert Reed, who joins Ponder on the pre-season Heisman watch list after a record setting season last year. Conventional wisdon says to pick the Seminoles in this matchup. They have more speed, more talent, and are playing at home. But don't count out the Huskers' toughness and desire to prove the critics wrong. This game pits two old coaching rivals from the ACC, and anything can happen. One thing is for sure though, with that tux on, Coach ccut will be sweating...profusely!