Week 3 Highlights

Whew...RUTS catches its breath this week after a crazy week 3. Week 4 has no head-to-head games on the docket, and a few teams have Byes. Let's look back on some week 3 highlights and the new Top 25.

Alabama's RBs Way Too Much for the Buckeyes

And Boom(er) Goes the Dynamite! Sooners are back in the Top 2!

Miami Makes Penn State Receiver Poop His Pants

Florida Shocks Tennessee in the Swamp

Baby Blue Power...Here Come the Top Ten Tarheels!

Week 4 Top 25
1. Alabama
2. Oklahoma
3. Stanford
4. Florida State
5. West Virginia
6. Ohio State
7. LSU
8. North Carolina
21. Miami
23. Oregon
UR. Tennessee

Mammoth Week for RUTS Powers

Week 3 is here, and what a week it will be! The 4 RUTS superpowers, representing every RUTS championship and Heisman Trophy/NFL MVP for the past two years, are all ranked in the Top 4 of this week's Coaches Poll...and all four lock horns this week.

It's #1 Alabama at #3 Ohio State and #2 LSU at #4 Oklahoma!

We will preview both games, and offer our predictions for who will emerge victorious...

#1 ALABAMA @ #3 OHIO STATE
Coach StuBucksman loads up the #1 Crimson Tide wagons, Shoney's breakfast in stomach, and leads his team into Columbus, Ohio for a rematch against the Buckeyes. These two teams battled it out in season 1's National Title Game, where Alabama emerged victorious 27-24. In that game, the Tide used a 27-7 run in the 2nd and 3rd quarters, including dominating the time of possession,  to separate themselves from Ohio State, and although the Bucks staged a 4th quarter rally, it was too little, too late.

Coach Stu hits up the breakfast bar before traveling with his team to Columbus

Coach UTVOL54 knows that if his team is to have a chance, they cannot have such a lapse tonight.

"We are obviously focused on the things we do well as a team," he said. "This Alabama team, on paper, is the best I've ever coached against, and we just cannot afford to have a 2-quarter brain fart like we did in last year's title game. If we do, we will lose again."

Alabama, who moved back into the nation's top-spot this week after announcing their endorsement deal with Keds, enters the game with virtually no weaknesses. Their running game and passing game can both lead them to victory, and their defense provides speed and power at all positions, even after giving up 400+ passing yards in week 1 to Miami.

"We have to eliminate mental mistakes in this game," said Coach Stu. "We're going into a hostile enviroment, and this is our first road game of the season. I am anxious to see how our young QB responds, and see how our Keds look with our all-white uniforms...I predict GLORIOUS!"

Keds...good enough for Bear, good enough for Coach Stu!

The Keds endorsement caused Alabama Facility crews to work overtime this week to alter the Bear's statue outside Bryant-Denney Stadium

A.J. McCarron, the Tide's new starter at QB, is a solid 'game manager,' but can he make the plays necessary to win a game on his own? It's likely that the Buckeyes will test his poise and moxy in the pocket tonight and force him to throw the football.

"After learning behind one of the cleanest-cut, goody-two-shoes, frat-boy quarterbacks in the history of the SEC for the past two seasons, I have no doubt in my abilities to lead this team," said McCarron earlier this week as he left the Alabama football complex in his 2010 Range Rover.

Ohio State will have to muster up some kind of offense to keep Alabama on its toes, and sophomore QB Kenny Guiton, RB Boom Herron, and WR duo DeVier Posey and Ayers Jordan can ill afford to have 'off-nights' if the Bucks expect to win this game.

We are predicting a great battle between two of the finest coaches to coach the game of football. These teams will play well, and provide fans and viewers with an entertaining display of football prowess. In the end, the Crimson Tide will be too deep for the Buckeyes. Alabama's Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson will prove once again why they are the two-headed monster of college football. The duo will run through the Buckeyes defense in the 2nd half, eating the clock and rendering Coach UTVOL54 to watch helplessly from the sidelines. Alabama wins 21-17, and leaves Buckeye fans, once again in tears. Unless Coach UTVOL54 has a trick up his sleeve............

Lee Corso loves the elephant and its trunk

Ohio State fans, in tears, again

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#2 LSU @ #4 OKLAHOMA


In one of RUTS's all-time bitter coaching rivalries, Coach utvol27 and Coach cjohnchavis lock horns this week after a season-long hiatus in the rivalry. Their teams, #2 LSU and #4 Oklahoma, did not meet in season 1, and many have wondered if the long lapse of time between their games has stifled the animosity between them.

"No way," said ESPN reporter Bruce Feldman. "This rivalry dates back to RUTS1, when these two sideline superpowers collided each year. Coach utvol27's Clemson team prevailed every time, and that bad taste has not faded away from Coach cjohnchavis's pallet."

Coach cjohnchavis has often termed Coach utvol54 the "Dr. Evil of football" for his always winning ways and abilities to use psycho-kinetic energy to cause freeze delays in the game at just the right time.

Their teams even met in the RUTS1, season 3 national title game, where Clemson prevailed 24-10.

"I am focused on my team this week," said Coach cjohnchavis. "There is a reason we are favored by .25 of a point. We are a solid team, and we will be ready for any tomfollery and spells that Dr. Evil has planned. The Tigers of LSU will roar....raaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwrrrrrrr."

After the coach's surprising tiger roar, Feldman said Coach cjohnchavis showed the attending media his team's Tiger Claw stance, which he said would be the "key to victory" over the Sooners.

The LSU Tiger Claw! Fancy gimmick, or the key to unlock super ninja powers?

The LSU Tigers may not even need a Tiger Claw for this game. On paper, the Tigers are the better team with a punishing running game and quick strike passing attack. Two LSU WRs, Rueben Randle and Russell Sheppard are in the top 5 of the Heisman race after two weeks, and RB Steven Ridley has broken tackles left and right on his way to racking up 220 rushing yards and 3 TDs this season.

The Sooners, however, seem due for a break out game. After not winning the conference title for the first time as a collegiate coach last season, Coach utvol27's team has somewhat struggled out of the starting gate this season. Many skeptics believe the coach's mojo and magic has worn off. Not so, says QB Landry Jones.

"Coach utvol27 has the entire nation right where he wants them," said the junior signal caller. "This team is ready to explode in a good way this week, and beating the #2 team in the nation will prove that we are back."

The two coaches have refused to get into any back and forth verbal spats this week, each saying that nightly hobbies and sitcoms have gotten in the way of trash talk. But, you can bet that come gametime, the blood pressure on each sideline will be rising.

This game is difficult to predict. Will turnovers and leaping DTs and LBs thwart LSU's opportunity to win, or will this be the year that Coach cjohnchavis breaks on through to the other side and claims victory? It will be a back and forth game, but we predict LSU will have one too many Tiger Claws for the Oklahoma defense. The Sooners will keep it close, but in the end, LSU's wide receiver core will make the necessary plays to give the Tigers the victory 28-20.

Tears....Sooner Tears!

Alabama & Coach Stu Sign Groundbreaking Endorsement Deal with Keds

In a huge announcement that hopes to establish the shoe company as the preeminent footwear company in the world, Keds Incorporated announced today that it is launching its new line of football cleats...Keds 4 Sports. What was even more shocking was the announcement that they have managed, through backroom and secretive meetings, to sign an exclusive endorsement deal with none other than 2-time defending national champion Alabama, previously a NIKE school.

The Crimson Tide shocked petrified fans and on-lookers as they came out of the tunnel before their week 2 game against Nebraska wearing the "bright whites" as Coach StuBucksman calls them. The #2 Tide dominated the game, beating the #8 Huskers 77-0, but fans and media members focused on the shocking footwear selection.

"You need'nt worry," said Coach Stu. "These puppies are keeping my dogs and my players' dogs nice and comfy all game long. It was the best move from an orthopedic standpoint for me and my football team....haters gonn' hate."

An Alabama player leaps into the endzone, happy to be wearing his new Keds.

Nebraska players were shell shocked to learn that Keds makes football cleats and couldn't tackle the Tide all game long.

 

RB Trent Richardson was "kinda embarrassed" to wear the new Keds, so he elected for the Bulky Black spat.

This announcement does help explain why Coach Stu has been spotted on campus wearing the "pearly whites" in recent weeks.

Coach Stu likes his Keds in the office while game-planning...

...or on the practice field shouting instruction to his 30+ 99rated all-star squad.

It is unclear as to how this change will affect the coach's feet or the fate of Alabama football in the long run, but after one game, all is well in Tuscaloosa. Nike headquarters released a statement regarding Alabama's surprise switch-er-roo......"Boo!"

Opening Week Photo Highlights

Season 2 Schedules Announced

After a night of headaches, and holding a sleeping 5 month old baby while doing so, I'm pleased to release the season 2 schedules...

Season 2 is On the Horizon

With National Signing Day in the books, new arriving on campus, and new depth charts and rosters taking shape...we are just a few days away from kicking off season two. Coach StuBucksman is busy in the film room salivating over how good his team is looking as they look to win their 3rd straight BCS National Championship. With nearly half its roster rated 90 or above, (including 6 players rated 99) returning studs Mark Ingram, Marcel Dareus, and Julio Jones should be celebrating a lot of wins again this season.

The Oregon Duck's high-flying Zach-Quack-Attack offense returns looking to win the Big XII. With speedy TBs LaMichael James  and Kenjon Barner, and QB  Darren Thomas, the Ducks speed will give teams fits.

The Boomer Sooner wagon looks to get back on track after, for the first time in RUTS history, Coach utvol27 failed to lead his team to the conference/division championship. Sooner QB Landry Jones will need some more help from a rushing attack that started strong but went downhill late last season. The LSU Tigers found an offensive identity late last season to compliment their strong defense. QB Jordan Jefferson set school passing marks last season and his top target, WR Rueben Randle, returns. Look for LSU to be dominant on both sides of the ball.

North Carolina and Tennessee are looking to take splendid recruiting classes (ranked #4 and #3 in the nation respectively) and use the incoming crop of young talent to take the SEC East by storm. Look for both of these teams to make some noise this season.

Miami, who surged at the end of season 1 to upset Oklahoma and win the Big XII South, returns senior QB Jacory Harris but will need help from a revamped ground attack, led by sophomore TB Lamar Miller, this season. Ohio State, who came up 3 points short of the national championship last season returns a lot of talent, and even with replacing 2/3 of their "three headed monster" on offense, QB Kenny Guiton and TB Boom Herron will fit right in with All-American WR Devier Posey and keep the Buckeyes on pace. The Buckeyes' #1 ranked recruiting class will provide some instant punch on both sides of the ball.

The preseason hype will continue to increase as season 2 schedules will be set in the next day or so....buckle your chinstraps! Be sure to vote in the new blog poll on the top/right of the page!

National Champions! Alabama is Back at the Top

The Alabama Crimson Tide used a ball control attack, balanced offense, and stifling rush defense to defeat previously unbeaten Ohio State to claim their 2nd consecutive National Championship. Coach StuBucksman's team got behind early, but dominated the 2nd and 3rd quarters to defeat his arch nemesis Coach UTVOL54, ending the coach's 31 game RUTS winning streak.

The Crimson Tide held the ball for nearly 19 of the game's 27 minutes, and were able to convert some crucial 3rd and 4th down conversions along the way. Both team's star running backs, Mark Ingram and Brandon Saine, who finished 2nd and 3rd for the Heisman Trophy respectively, were held in check, and both team's defenses set the tone for the game.

OSU jumped out to a 3-0 lead on its first drive and forced an Alabama to punt after 3 downs. The Crimson Tide's defense held strong though, and didn't allow the Buckeyes to increase their lead. After an Alabama FG, the Tide defense forced a fumble after OSU WR Devier Posey was crushed. This turned out to be a big momentum shift in the game, as Posey had gained a first down on the play. The Buckeye defense held strong though, holding Alabama to another FG inside the 10 yard line.

Another huge play in the game came with 20 seconds remaining until halftime. With the ball inside the OSU 30 yard line, Alabama called a well-timed screen pass to backup RB Trent Richardson, who was lined up at WR on the play. Richardson scooted 22 yards to paydirt, and with only 15 seconds remaining in the 1st half, Alabama increased its lead to 13-3.

The 3rd Quarter was dominated by Alabama as well, as the Tide held leads of 20-3 and 27-10, seemingly putting the game away.

The Buckeyes kept fighting though, and behind the arm and legs of Terrelle Pryor, and a timely interception by All-American CB Chimdi Chekwa, they stayed in the game. With 5 minutes to play in the game, the Buckeyes QB scrambled 22 yards for a TD that cut the Alabama lead to 27-24. With three timeouts remaining, both teams braced for what would be a tense final few minutes of the season.

Alabama made the plays they needed to make on the final drive converting a crucial 4th and 1 play to keep the drive alive. In doing so, they were able to run out the clock and hang on for the 27-24 victory. Tide fans screamed the "Rammer Jammer" song at the top of their lungs as the Tide flooded the field. Coach Stu was hoisted on the shoulders of star D-Lineman Marcel Dareus, and the Coach held back tears as he lifted the crystal ball trophy into the air. Coach Stu earned his very first BCS National Championship with the win.

Alabama fans celebrated all night in the Arizona desert, and one has to wonder if they will be celebrating for a long time to come. Can anyone unseat the Crimson Tide in Season 2? With the talent they have coming back, it will be tough, but there are some up and coming teams that are confident that Alabama's reign as champions is about to come to an abrupt end...Season 2 is right around the corner, and Coach Stu knows, he better hit the recruiting trail hard if he hopes to continue the Tide's dynasty.

Player Stats & Team Stats:

Trash Talk, Pranks Lead Up to Epic BCS Title Game

It's hard to believe season 1 is almost in the books. RUTS teams have capped off a great regular season and now find themselves gearing up for bowl season. There is a great slate of games on the docket leading up to the grand finale matchup between #1 and #2 in the BCS National Championship Game on Saturday evening.

The focus of the nation has already shifted to the showdown in the desert between #1 Ohio State (12-0) and #2 Alabama (11-1). In a matchup between the teams who started the season 1 and 2 and survived the dreaded Sports Illustrated Jinx, this game has been looked forward to all season long. Adding to the backstory of this game....Coach StuBucksman is returning to his old stomping grounds where he coached the Arizona Cardinals for 3 seasons in RUTS2. In addition, the last time these two coaches locked horns on the gridiron was in RUTS2 Super Bowl III, where Coach UTVOL54's Titans crushed the Cardinals 48-14. That game sent Coach Stu into a tizzy. He went into a tailspin....quitting his band Sensual Barbecue, forgoing Chick FilA and becoming a vegetarian, and even sinking as low as to burning his "Who Farted?" t-shirt that he'd worn since high school.

After regaining his mojo, he swept in out of nowhere to accept the head coaching position at reigning national champion Alabama after former Head Coach Nick Saban retired to hit the road with the Blue Collar Comedy Tour, and the rest is history.

Alabama comes in boasting undoubtedly the nation's most talented team, and after one look at the Tide's roster, it's hard to imagine a crop of better players than the ones Coach StuBucksman has under his wing. With RBs Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson tearing through holes you could drive a truck through, and a defense that is seemingly impenetrable.

Ingram finished 2nd in this year's Heisman race

After a week 2 defeat at the hands of Oklahoma, the Tide has reeled off 10 consecutive victories and enter this game with a great deal of confidence and momentum.

Waiting anxiously to match their swagger are Coach UTVOL54's Ohio State Buckeyes, who roll into Glendale with the nation's only undefeated season. The Buckeyes boast the nation's #1 scoring offense, scoring defense, and an all-time NCAA best +34 turnover margin. They will need every ounce of those stats to confront a rowdy bunch of Crimson Tide players, and their head coach who knows this game is all or nothing.

Star tailback Brandon Saine has provided a huge punch for the Buckeyes offense this season and has taken the pressure off of QB Terrelle Pryor. The Buckeyes' "3-headed monster"on offense includes Saine, Pryor, and WR Devier Posey.

inSAINE!! Brandon Saine was 2nd in the nation in rushing yards this season

Coach StuBucksman, whose only words in the past week have been quotes from Bear Bryant, believes this Alabama team is a team of destiny, and will surely come home to Tuscaloosa as Back-to-Back National Champions.

"There's no substitute for guts," Coach Stu said at his press conference at Cardinals Stadium. "It's not the will to win, but the will to prepare to win that makes the difference. In life, you'll have your back up against the wall many times. You might as well get used to it."

When asked what he would tell his team if they got off to a slow start against the Buckeyes, Coach Stu quipped, "Don't give up at halftime. Concentrate on winning the second half. In a crisis, don't hide behind anything or anybody. If anything goes bad, I did it. If anything goes semi-good, we did it. If anything goes really good, then you did it. That's all it takes to get people to win football games for you."

After making a few other comments, Coach Stu spit and yelled, "If you want to walk the heavenly streets of gold, you gotta know the password, "Roll, tide, roll!" to the delight of the attending media members.

Coach UTVOL54 had no qualms about reasserting his belief that this Buckeye team is the best team he's ever coach in RUTS.

"So much has been made about the SEC dominating Ohio State for years and years," he said. "Well, this is a new day, and these Buckeyes play smash mouth, fast, southern football."

"Look, I know Alabama is going to come in and try to push us around, but it won't happen. They will be too focused on working on their 'short-field' defense all week to concentrate on other things. Coach Stu knows that we will force turnovers and that will really cripple their offense. They better just take a knee every play and punt, and hope they can win the field position battle."

Coach UTVOL54 loves sweatervests, gray slacks, and his mobile QB

Coach UTVOL54 would not address questions regarding the rumored prank war between he and Coach Stu this week. Earlier in the week, TMZ Sports reported that a white male who smelled just like Coach Stu was spotted outside of the Buckeye's team hotel in Phoenix. The man, wearing nothing but socks and a smile, reportedly left a 12 lb tub of fresh human doo-doo on Coach UTVOL54's doorstep. The next night, police were called to the nearby Motel 6, Alabama's team headquaters, after players, coaches, cheerleaders, and band members notified the front desk of a potential 'boogie man' lurking in the parking lot and in trees around the hotel. No suspects were named, but several eyewitnesses claimed that the imposter brought back bad memories of another 'lurker' who has haunted Alabamians for years.

As game day approaches, it appears that the practical jokes and trash talking are cooling off, as both teams and coaches prepare to get their game faces on.

This could be one of RUTS's all time greatest games. Both teams are well coached, and have been dominant on both sides of the ball all season long. We predict this game will come down to turnovers. Will the Buckeyes, who have committed only 7 turnovers all season, be able to protect the football against Marcel Dareus and the relentless Crimson Tide defense? Will Alabama be poised enough on offense to prevent the Buckeye defense from forcing turnovers of their own? Yes and Yes! We say that neither team will commit a turnover, making this one of the most well-played, evenly matched games of all time. There will be a lot of punts, and both team's defenses will earn the other offense's respect. It will be a low scoring battle and will come down to the final possession of the game.

Will the "Script Ohio" or "Rammer Jammer" prevail? We will find out for certain on Saturday night, but we predict that the winner, and 2010 BCS National Champion will be..................

The Stage is Set for Conference Title Games

The season 1 conference title games begin tonight! With a plethora of BCS title game hopefuls remaining, the outcomes of the conference title games will determine who winds up in Glendale to battle it out for all the marbles. All RUTS teams will be pulling for Clemson to defeat the #2 VA Tech Hokies in the ACC title game. The Big XII and SEC title games feature perennial season 1 powers against upstart underdogs who hope to dash the BCS dreams of Alabama and Ohio State.

Big XII Championship Game

#1 Ohio State vs. #15 Miami

Who would have thought the Hurricanes would be in this game? After starting the season 2-5, the Canes have reeled off 5 consecutive wins, and risen to #15 in the BCS poll. Miami's 5 losses this season have come to the current #1, #2, #3, #4 teams, and Florida State, who was ranked #5 at the time...so their brutal schedule has helped them overcome adversity, and they find themselves poised, confident and ready to upset the nation's #1 team tonight at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas. In their Week 7 game, Miami started strong and kept the game close into the 4th quarter before Ohio State (playing at home) raced ahead for a 34-14 victory that was much closer than the final score indicated. Miami will rely on a heavy dose of senior RB Graig Cooper and a passing attack to their TE. They must also contain Terrelle Pryor and Heisman hopeful RB Brandon Saine. Besides having the nation's #1 scoring offense and the #1 scoring defense, the Buckeyes biggest advantage may be their crazy turnover margin. On the season, the Buckeyes have a +29 turnover ratio, which is an NCAA record. Simply put, they don't turn the ball over often and force 3 turnovers per game. In order to win, Miami is going to have to take care of the ball and hope to force a turnover or two. This game will be close....can the Canes muster up enough mojo to keep their hot streak alive?!

Corso Predicts: Ohio State 27, Miami 24

#3 Alabama vs. #25 North Carolina

SEC Championship Game

The mighty mighty Crimson Tide head to Atlanta with a chip on their shoulder. Ranked #2 last week, the Tide got passed up by undefeated VA Tech and now find themselves on the outside looking in and needing some help to squeeze into the BCS Title game. Also standing in their way is an angry bunch of Tarheels, who after climbing all the way up to #11 last week, fell hard after Miami upset them in Dolphins Stadium. So, we have 2 angry teams heading to the GA Dome tonight looking to make a statement and prove a point. Alabama will lean heavily on Heisman favorite Mark Ingram and a stellar defense that is fast, physical and takes after their Head Coach StuBucksman...relentless manlihood. UNC will provide a challenge though. These two teams did not meet in the regulear season, so we anticipate Coach ChrisHicks21 to have a few trick plays up his sleeve. The Tarheels boast a strong D-line who will challenge the Bama ground attack. If Bama can get the win, they will be on pins and needles awaiting the final score of the VT/Clemson game.

Corso's Prediction: Alabama 49, UNC 28