In today's blog, we'll break down the RUTS3 teams and take an early look at the Week 1 matchups.
TEAM Previews
#1 Alabama - The defending national champion Crimson Tide enter the season as arguably the highest rated video game team in history. Coach StuBucksmans inherits a squad that has seemingly no weaknesses. With 9 (yes 9!) 1st Team Preseason All-Americans on the roster, Alabama is the clear cut favorite to make it back to Glendale, AZ for the National Championship Game. Standing in their way is a rough SEC schedule and tough road games at #4 Oregon, #14 Miami, #17 LSU, and Tennessee. With star players across the board, including returning Heisman Trophy Winner, RB Mark Ingram (arguably the 2nd best RB on the roster), Alabama has the talent to devour any team in its path. Coach StuBucksman has been coaching his players up and even convincing them that they are underdogs. The Crimson Tide's head ball coach, lifelong Alabama fan, has made himself right at home in what he calls "his dream job." It will be a surprise if he isn't leading his team onto the field to defend their national title come season's end.
#2 Ohio State - Coach UTVOL54 surprised everyone, even himself, by accepting the head coaching position in Columbus. All signs pointed elsewhere, but when draft day came, the Buckeyes, with their tradition, talent, speed, and weird looking mascot, were able to snag the former LSU and Tennessee Titans head coach. They say defense wins championships, and OSU is loaded on the defensive side of the ball. And, with Heisman candidate QB Terrelle Pryor, speedy RB Brandon Saine, and shifty WR Devier Posey, the offense is loaded with playmakers as well. The Buckeyes are going to have to adjust to playing in the revamped Big XII conference, where they'll face tough competition each week. Out of conference games at Tennessee, USC, and at home against Penn State and LSU won't be easy either. Don't look for the Buckeyes to be undefeated by season's end, but they could still end up with a shot at the elusive national title.
#4 Oregon - The mighty Ducks of Oregon and Head Coach zeejaydee have been quacking up a storm in Eugene. With their sweet facilities, uniforms, and an uncanny ability to ruffle feathers, the Ducks are looking to take the Big XII by storm. Opening the season against #1 Alabama won't be easy, but Coach zeejaydee and his squad have been practicing like gangbusters in preparation for the visit from the Tide. Despite a potential controversy at the Qb position between reliable senior Nate Costa and speedy sophomore Darren Thomas. All signs point to Thomas being in the lead, but zeejaydee won't confirm either way. After making huge strides in RUTS2 during his tenure with the Pittsburgh Steelers, he is looking to continue his rise to the top. It's gonna take some Duck magic, but don't rule out a surprise or two this season from Oregon.
#14 Miami - The Hurricanes make their return to RUTS, with rookie head coach stinvol at the helm. No one knows what to expect from the Canes this season, but with improving QB play and a talented backfield, Miami is looking to surprise a few teams along the way. With arguably the toughest schedule in the nation, it won't be easy. Coach stinvol is excited to hit the ground running with a week 1 visit to Death Valley to face LSU. QB Jacory Harris is going to have to play almost mistake free football in order for Miami to win the Big XII south, but that is certainly possible, even with Oklahoma to contend with. All eyes will be on the "U" in week 1 and look for stinvol to come out with an attitude and a vengeance.
#15 Oklahoma - The Boomer Sooner wagon is being led by a new wagon-driver-guy, as Coach utvol27 makes the move to the thriving metropolis of Norman, Oklahoma. With a storied tradition and a proven head coach, the Sooners say they are settling for nothing less than a title this season. Coach utvol27 makes his return to the college game, where he guided Clemson to 4 straight national titles in RUTS1. Will he be able to schmooze and pay recruits to come to Norman like he did at Clemson? Only time will tell. But even though the Sooners are ranked out of the top 10, I don't think anyone will expect them to finish there. The road to the BCS title game will go through the Sooners...mark my words.
#17 LSU - Coach cjohnchavis is as giddy as Lane Kiffin at a sorority party to be reunited with his father, legendary defensive coordinator Coach cjohnchavis'sdad. The Chavis team knocks the Kiffins down to #2 in the father/son coaching duo ranks, but that's not all that cjohnchavis is concerned with. He inherits a talent rich program with 3 helmet color options, and does not take that for granted. He's beefing up his student manager pool to cover the extra time it will take to implement white helmets this season. On his official Twitter page, the coach confirms that while it will be taxing on the managers, he is up for the challenge. He's also been charged by Ohio State Coach UTVOL54 to "not screw up his awesome legacy at LSU by losing too many games" (UTVOL54 led the Tigers to a National title in RUTS1, season 5). All silliness aside, LSU will be a contender all season, and one of the "Games of the Year" will come in Week 10 when they host #1 Alabama. Could be one for the ages.
#22 North Carolina - The Tarheels are a surprise addition to RUTS3. Coach ChrisHicks21 unexpectedly accepted the head coaching position in Chapel Hill, but has found the area to be really nice. "They have a lot of great furniture stores in North Carolina and we've been able to furnish our home rather quickly," said ChrisHicks21. What is yet to be seen is if he can lead the Tarheels to victory after victory in the tough SEC East. They were picked to finish 2nd behind Florida in the division, but with home games against both the Gators and Tennessee, the Heels have a leg, or heel, up on the Gators. Look for the Tarheels to be a contender all season, and possibly wind up in Atlanta for the SEC title game.
Tennessee - And now to the Vols. Coach EBDial bravely selected the orange-clad Vols and as such, received the RUTS3 Preseason Courage Award. What he won't admit and what some fail to see, is that the Big Orange, despite lacking depth at some key positions, have the talent to make some noise this season. QB Matt Simms leads an offense with some unheralded, but talented stars, such as RB Tauren "Don't Pee in The" Poole and WR Gerald Jones. The truth is, the Tennessee job was more coveted by the other RUTS3 coaches than originally thought, and EBDial may be the envy of the league. The Vols open the season against #2 Ohio State, and if they're able to knock off the Buckeyes...look out. The key will be to remain injury free, and if they do so all season, the Vols will contend for the SEC East crown.
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Week 1 Predictions
#22 North Carolina @ #15 Oklahoma
The Tarheels have a talented roster, and Coach ChrisHicks's proven running attack will have some suucess, but the Sooners will have too much firepower on this day. Oklahoma 27, UNC 13
#2 Ohio State @ Tennessee
The Vols will come out hot and give the Buckeyes all they can handle in the early going. However, OSU will be too much to handle and QB Terrelle Pryor will use his huge ears to throw and run for crucial yardage and establish himself as a legit Heisman candidate. Ohio State 31, Tennessee 20
#14 Miami @ #17 LSU
This may be the best game of the week. Coach stinvol's plan of attack is as mysterious as a Harry Potter book, and LSU must be ready for any and everything. This one will come down to the wire, with LSU kicker Josh Jasper providing the winning FG late in this defensive struggle. LSU 17, Miami 16
#2 Alabama @ #4 Oregon
And now to our game of the week. ESPN's College Gameday will be on hand to see Coach StuBucksman lead the Crimson Tide on to the field for the very first time. Tears will be streaming down his face, undoubtedly. But, he better have his big boy britches on, because this isn't your Daddy's zeejaydee that he's facing. Countless hours in the film room and on the practice field have served this coach and his Ducks well, and they will be ready to take down the defending champs and ruin Coach Stu's day. Many Bama fans expect this to be just a cozy, fun vacation to good ol' Eugene, Oregon, but not so fast my friends...Oregon comes out red hot and jumps out early on the Crimson Tide. Although Bama's defense is unbelievably tough, oregon RB LaMichael James leads the Ducks in a safe and conservative attack all day long. After a costly interception by QB Greg McIlroy late in the game, the Ducks do the unthinkable and shock the college football world by knocking off the Tide. Oregon 27, Alabama 24
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