Looking ahead to MAMMOTH Weeks 11, 12, and 13

While we wait for a few more teams to wrap up their week 10 games, we'll take the liberty to look forward to some huge games that lie ahead in weeks 11, 12, and 13. These games will have a huge impact on the season 3 national and conference title races.

Week 10's big game saw #2 Alabama defeat #6 North Carolina 42-20 behind another dominating running performance from "should-be-Heisman front runner" Trent Richardson. The loss likely ends UNC's national title hopes, but they still have a shot to make it to the SEC Championship Game.

Let's take a peek at some pivotal games coming up as we close out season 3 (current BCS Rankings are on the ride sidebar of the blog):

Week 11
#2 Alabama @ #1 LSU

This game has huge implications, and with it being so late in the season, is arguably the 'Game of the Year' in season 3. The #2 Crimson Tide, who might possibly jump back to the top-spot after knocking off #6 UNC this week travel to the Bayou to battle Coach cjohnchavis's "white Tigers" of LSU. LSU has always been a national title contender, reeling in top recruits year after year. However, in seasons 1 and 2, even though they finished in the Top 5, LSU couldn't clear the Alabama hurdle and have been left out of both the national and SEC title games. But, this year seems different.

Ever since Coach cjohnchavis took heed of the RUTS front office's demands/requests/begs to have the Tigers wear their now-famous white helmets and pants on the field, not only have LSU apparel sales ($$$) quadrupled, but the Tigers have reeled off 9 straight wins to start the season.

LSU's Defense has set an NCAA record for number of INTs off of tipped balls

"The white helmets and pants have been sexy and successful," said Coach cjohnchavis. "But, I think what really got us believing is when we finally knocked off Coach UTVOL54 and the Ohio State Buckeyes in Week 2. The monkey was off our backs after that win, and now, we're just letting the good times roll."

Scoring a victory over the mighty Crimson Tide, who will enter the game a surprising 6.5 point favorite, will be a huge challenge for the Tigers. Alabama will have to contend with the dominant pass rush of Sam Montgomery and the LSU front 7, but if Trent Richardson has early success on the ground, the Tide might make it difficult for cjohnchavis to blitz. Alabama, in user games, has averaged fewer than 10 pass attempts per game, and while Qb AJ McCarron is serviceable, Coach StuBucksman hasn't needed to rely on the signal caller to produce many numbers. Will such few pass attempts serve as sneaky counter to the fast pass rush of LSU?

Coach Stu channels his inner Whitney Houston

When asked, Coach Stu, in typical artistic fashion, muttered:

"I decided long ago, never to walk in anyone's shadow. If I fail...If I succeed...you can't take away my dignity. Be---cause, the great---est love of all's inside of ME!"

The winner of this game will indeed move on to play in the SEC Championship Game against either Tennessee or North Carolina and be favored to make the national championship game. However, the loser, having only 1 loss wouldn't be completely eliminated.

If Alabama loses, there is a good chance the Tide, with a victory over current #3 Southern Cal in Week 13, could vault back into the Top 2. If LSU loses, would the pollsters and the BCS rank them lower than Ohio State, even though the Tigers defeated them head-to-head? No matter who wins this game...there is sure to be boatloads of drama in seeing how the LOSER of this game fares in the final few weeks' polls. And, it's certainly possible that Alabama and LSU could meet up once again in Miami for a rematch in the BCS National Title Game!

Score Prediction: Alabama 27, LSU 24

Week 12:
 #5 Oklahoma @ #10 Miami

This game will decide the winner of the Big XII South division. In season 1, Miami shocked the Sooners by kicking a last-second, game winning FG to earn a trip to the conference title game. Last year, the Sooners defeated the Canes on their way to a perfect 14-0 National Championship Season.

The winner of this game will lock horns with #4 Ohio State in the title game this year, as the Buckeyes have all but clinched the North division title.

Miami, since starting 0-3 has reeled off five consecutive wins and jumped into the Top 10 of the BCS. While their chances at a national title game birth are slim, the Sooners, if they win out and defeat Ohio State in the Big XII title game would have a great chance to defend their national title again this season.

The injury bug has hit Miami hard, as their top two RBs (Lamar Miller and Storm Johnson) have been lost for the season. They'll rely heavily on the arm of QB AJ Highsmith and try to get production from talented sophomore RB Amir Arnold.

The Sooners have been efficient and steady in churning out an 8-1 record. QB Landry Jones is arguably one of the nation's best, but his supporting cast of skill position players isn't as talented as last season. RB Brennen Clay provides enough spark on offense to keep defenses off-balance, and the duo, along with a great defense will be enough to defeat the Canes in week 12.

Score Prediction: Oklahoma 34, Miami 21


Week 13:
#14 Tennessee @ #6 North Carolina

Coach EBDial has revamped his offense and has revitalized the Volunteer program and fan base. Fans and message boards alike are comparing this season's offense to the 2001 Vol offense, which featured Clausen, Travis Stephens, Jason Witten, Donte Stallworth, and Kelley Washington. The Vols have lost only 2 games, to Ohio State and Alabama while dominating the cpu opposition. In Week 11, the Vols travel to Notre Dame to face a scrappy Irish team coached by zeejaydee...a win or loss in that game could really affect the mindset of the Vols heading into Chapel Hill for arguably Coach EBDial's most important game in RUTS3.

Coach ChrisHicks21's UNC team has put up phenomenal numbers on offense on its way to a #6 national ranking. The pain from a loss to Alabama in week 10 could be cured with a victory over the Vols and another birth in the SEC title game, perhaps to face the Tide again.

This could be one of season 3's highest scoring head-to-head games, and viewers across the country will be tuning in to see the nation's top 2 passers in the "Tyler Bray vs. Bryn Renner show." Can either defense stop the other offense? We predict this game will come down to a late interception, and with Tyler Bray having thrown more than double the INTs that Renner has thrown (22 to 10), we like the Tarheels in this one.

Score Prediction:  UNC 52, Tennessee 45

Other RUTS3 News/Notes:  

Losing Teams To Be Rewarded??!!
 #4 Ohio State has all but locked up the Big XII North title. If the Buckeyes win out, and defeat either Miami or Oklahoma in the Big XII title game, many experts believe they'll finish the season ranked #2 in the BCS, ranked ahead of the LSU/Alabama game loser. The same is predicted for #5 Oklahoma. If the Sooners win out, and defeat Ohio State in the Big XII title game, many feel that with a conference title to go along with a 1-loss record, the Sooners would have enough votes to remain ahead of the LSU/Alabama game loser. Even though earlier this season, both the Sooners and Buckeyes lost to the SEC West teams. If this happens, you can be sure that these SEC fan bases would be rioting in the streets, but it's a scenario that seems likely at this point. The bottom line is...if you're LSU or Alabama...and you want the best chance to reach the title game...WIN IN WEEK 11! 

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  C0ACH_GUMP to join RUTS3 in season 4
  As  predicted a few weeks ago on the blog, it appears certain that a new coach will be joining RUTS3 next season. C0ACH_GUMP appears to be the lead candidate for the vacant head coach position at Florida, making an already tough SEC East even tougher next season. Coach GUMP has also received interest from Oregon, Michigan, and Portland High School in Tennessee. Coach GUMP will be the first coach in RUTS to admit to enjoying wearing gold chains, earrings, and jorts. ****If you'd like to go ahead and add Coach GUMP (Gary) as a friend on the PS3, his user name is C0ACH_GUMP , with a "zero" instead of an "o" in C0ACH and an underscore between C0Ach and GUMP.****
  
  

Recruiting Domination
LSU, Alabama, and Ohio State continue to dominate the Rivals recruiting rankings. LSU, with 10 five-stars, 10 four-stars, and 1 three-star commit has only 4 scholarships left to fill, and barring a late surge by Bama or Ohio State, the Tigers should remain #1 in the recruiting rankings through signing day. Ohio State and Bama are battling it out for 2 and 3.