Written/Reported by special guest commentators Coach StuBucksman and Coach Gump, live from the film room
Coach Stu: It's time once again for the RUTS FINAL FOUR!! aka Conference Championship Week. For the third straight season, and technically the 11th straight season dating back to RUTS2, the top 4 RUTS teams will meet in a final four to determine the National Championship Game matchup.
This year's Pac 12 and SEC title games are both tremendous matchups, and I can't wait to see who will come out on top.
Coach Gump: That's right Coach Stu. What we have here is four teams who know how to shake and bake and have emerged on top in their respective divisions. USC and Florida State, I think, are the favorites on paper. But, there's no question that LSU and Michigan have what it takes to come out victorious if they catch a few breaks. Let's break down the games....
Coach Stu: Look, if you had one shot, or one opportunity
To seize everything you ever wanted in one moment
Would you capture it or just let it slip?.............
Pac 12 Championship Game - #1 USC vs #5 Michigan
Coach Stu: The Pac 12 title game moves to San Francisco this season after being hosted in Honolulu, Hawaii in seasons 1 and 2. The stadium is home to Major League Baseball's SF Giants, but will be converted into a football field for this big game.
Coach Gump: The #1 USC Trojans have had a great run back to prominence this season, emerging out tof the regular season with a 12-0 record. Its most impressive victory was a 35-25 victory over #4 Texas, which propelled them into this game. The Trojans are led by star RB and Heisman finalist Dillon Baxter, who
has rushed for 2,417 yards this season.
Coach Stu: The Wolverine defense will have a challenge in stopping Baxter, but they're a hard-hitting bunch who might just be up to the task. USC has the ability to pass the ball with RS Freshman QB Tim King, who is the only Trojan to throw a pass this season, but...we look for USC to try to establish the ground game early and often.
Michigan DT Kenny Wilkins has recorded 16 sacks this season and will be a big piece of the puzzle should Michigan hope to contain Baxter. Michigan's offense has been balanced, as QB Devin Gardner has 5 WRs who have caught 18 or more passes this season and RB Fitzgerald Touissant has rushed for nearly 1,200 yards.
Coach Gump: We predict this game will be close early. If Michigan's ball-hawking defense can force an early turnover and build a lead, it will be interesting to see how the Trojans and their freshman QB respond. Michigan has shown that it can win big games as an underdog against some of RUTS's best coaches and teams, so we think this game will be a great one. We both think though that in the end, the Trojans will be too much and come away with a close victory.
SEC Championship Game - #2 Florida State vs. #3 LSU
Coach Stu: This game has developed into one of the finest rivalries in the SEC, as the Noles and the Tigers meet for the 5th time in 3 seasons of RUTS4. Florida State has won all four games, but two of the games have come down to an onside kick in the closing minutes. Most games in this rivalry have also been fairly low scoring, so we expect another close, low scoring battle in the Georgia Dome today.
Coach Gump: Florida State's story has been their astounding defense. While offensive stats and record breaking scoring have been the norm throughout all of RUTS' glorious history, the Seminoles defense this season has been, perhaps, the finest defensive effort in RUTS history. The Noles have given up an average of 7.4 points per game all season...but in the past 9 games, the Noles have held opponents to a combined 26 points total, 2.8 points per game, and have allowed only 1 offensive TD. While the Noles offense has been efficient and effective, behind two 1,000 yard rushers, they've relied on the defense all season to set the tone.
Coach Stu: LSU QB Zach Mettenburger has had another phenomenal season. The senior leads the nation in passing yards and TDs. His 63 TD passes leads the 2nd best QB by 30! However, his 18 Interceptions, 2nd most in the nation, concerns Coach cjohnchavis. Coach cjohn knows that Mettenburger will need to be at his best today to beat the Seminoles. However, we think that LSU will come out and try to surprise the Noles by giving them a heavy dose of RB Spencer "Double Dare" Ware. Ware has only rushed for 987 yards this season, but the Tigers passing game has been the main reason for that. Look for Double Dare Ware to get the ball early and often...and also we wouldnt be shocked to see backup/dual threat QB Night Hawk get some action to keep the Seminoles on their toes.
Coach Gump: Since Coach Stu and I will be in the broadcast booth calling this game on the OWN network, we can't make a prediction, but we expect this game to be one of the best of the year. The winner moves on the BCS title game in the Rose Bowl....while the loser looks to also be headed to the (regular) Rose Bowl against, most likely, #4 Texas.
(Cue Eminem's "Lose Yourself").............again
Coach Gump: So here they go it's their shot....Feet fail them not, this may be the only opportunity that they got.........
Coach Stu: Booyah!
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