RUTS3 Season 4 Preview - "The BEAT BAMA Edition"

Two-a-days are complete and game plans are being installed as we near kickoff for season 4 of RUTS! Season 4 marks a dramatic shift for all teams this year as most of the starters come from the recruiting classes assembled over the past 3 offseasons. Will all the 5 stars that Bama, LSU, and Ohio State racked up play up to their potential as many take over starting positions, or will they be high-profile busts? Now is when we see the effects of all the hard work the teams of RUTS3 have put into recruiting and if it has paid off.

One thing is for sure, Alabama is the team with the target on its back this year. Having played in the national title game in the past 3 seasons (and winning twice), Bama will have to break in new starters across the board, and they may even struggle to survive the SEC West this season (and half-man, half-god Trent Richardson has graduated!!!). That's right...LSU has been on the verge, but has struggled to clear the Bama hurdle. This could be the Tigers' year, however. Can they take advantage of Bama's youth and unseat the 3-time SEC champions? We think now is the time....LSU claims the SEC West!

Bama and LSU fans are hungry (literally) for the SEC West crown!

In the SEC East, newcomer Coach_Gump takes the reigns at Florida in hopes of bringing the Gators back to national prominence. Defending East champion North Carolina, as well as Tennessee, look to hold off the Gators. Something tells us Coach_Gump has some tricks up his sleeve. He has a talented roster thanks to the fertile recruiting landscape in Florida, it's just a matter of motivation. We predict he pulls it off. The Tar Heels and Vols pose a formidable challenge, but the uncertainty Coach_Gump brings to the table will prove an even greater challenge....Gators take the SEC East!
In the SEC title game, it's anybody's game...but LSU's talent and experience in RUTS cannot be duplicated, resulting in a thrilling SEC Championship Game victory for LSU!

In the Big 12, one question looms....who can unseat Oklahoma and Ohio State? Oklahoma has won back-to-back Big 12 titles, and Ohio State has been in the Big 12 title game each season (winning it vs. Miami in season 1).

Miami looks to make a splash in the Big 12 South to upend the Sooners. Miami has a veteran squad and a coach Stinvol knows what must be done to beat the Sooners. Oklahoma is breaking in a new quarterback after the departure of "Dirty 'Stache" - Landry Jones. Also gone is Heisman winner Jaz "I really don't mind if you call me Yaz, just don't call me Jazz" Reynolds.

Landry "Dirty 'Stache" Jones - how does OU replace him?

Oklahoma could face some struggles as they face a tough schedule out of the gate and as they try to find an offensive identity. Miami is poised to take control, but Oklahoma has the talent in place and will have several weeks to find itself before the epic battle with Miami. Perhaps a pre-game pep talk by the Lingerie Football League's Miami Caliente will do the trick to get the Canes ready for the game....

However, we feel Oklahoma still has what it takes. Sooners win the Big 12 South!

In the Big 12 North, Ohio State has a young and talented team that is hungry for a Big 12 Championship. After 2 straight years of infuriating losses in the title game to Oklahoma, Ohio State won't settle for anything less. Despite having a more talented roster, the Buckeyes have struggled in clutch games vs. the Sooners and have missed out on chances at the national title as a result. But will the Buckeyes even make it out of the Big 12 North? Notre Dame and coach zeejaydee think so. Coach zeejaydee's comments before the season..."We will beat those dadgum Buckeyes, I have no doubt!!! Coach utvol27 at Oklahoma visited with us over the summer and gave us a complete rundown of what drives the Buckeyes bonkers, and we plan to use it! It's time the Golden Domers kick those Butt-eyes out of the Big 12 North perch!"

Despite the strong words, on paper the Buckeyes appear too strong. And they are hungry. Ohio State claims the Big 12 North!

In the Big 12 title game, old foes and bros meet again. Coach UTVOL54 at OSU has the talent, but Coach utvol27 at Oklahoma has the wits. The Sooners have pulled out dramatic wins vs. Ohio State the past two years and have a legend on the sidelines. Ohio State will be foaming at the mouth for this game. Can they control that emotion and get the victory? It will be a knock-down, drag-out, tooth-and-nail game coming down to the final seconds as always....

And we feel Ohio State clears the hurdle! The talent on that team is just too much to deny and OU is replacing their key players who beat OSU the past 2 seasons. Coach utvol27 will pull out all the stops, but it will come up just short this time...Big 12 champs....OHIO STATE!

We feel that the SEC and Big 12 champions will meet in the BCS national title...LSU vs. Ohio State! Two teams bursting at the seams with talent and coaching experience. Both playing for their first RUTS3 national title after close calls before. Ohio State could suffer an emotional hangover after finally beating Oklahoma, but don't count on it. In what's sure to be an instant classic....Ohio State claims victory and the national title!

PREDICTIONS RECAP:

BIG 12 CHAMP - Ohio State

SEC CHAMP - LSU

NATIONAL CHAMP - Ohio State

It's sure to be an entertaining season 4 of RUTS with many twists and turns along the way! Getcha popcorn ready!