Season 2 is here, and it's getting kicked off in style. Week 1 features a slew of huge ACC/SEC match ups that could shape the course of each team's season. Everybody has a clean slate and an 0-0 record, and several story lines make this week intriguing.
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#6 Florida @ #3 ClemsonSeason 1 Results ~ Did Not PlayThe Gators head to Clemson to face the defending national champions. Both teams have their share of uncertainty heading into the season, but each return speed and talent all over the field. Can Florida's
Cameron Newton manage the game and effectively replace Tim Tebow at QB? Can the Tigers'
Willie Korn step in at QB and lead Clemson to another title, like Cullen Harper did last season? Will CJ Spiller replace Heisman Trophy winner James Davis as the Tigers'dynamic playmaker? Will young players on the Gators defense step in to fill the voids of out-going All-Americans Brandon Spikes and Wondy Pierre Louis?
The strengths of each team (Clemson's defense/Florida's offense) go head-to-head and will likely determine the winner of this game. Clemson, playing at home, will need to pressure Newton, contain Gator playmaker Percy Harvin, and create turnovers to win this potential "Instant Classic."
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#10 Florida State @ #1 LSUSeason 1 Results ~ LSU 28, FSU 21The Seminoles make their way to Death Valley for a rematch from week 3 of last season. In one of the best games of season 1, LSU forced a late interception to fend off the Noles and held on for a 28-21 victory. History is on the Seminoles side in this one. Florida State opened up last season with a dominating victory over #1 Georgia in Athens, so they will not be intimidated by playing the top-ranked Tigers in Baton Rouge. The Seminoles will rely on do-it-all playmaker Preston Parker to provide enough offensive firepower to upset the Tigers. LSU returns almost every offensive starter from a team that finished #2 last year, and for the first time in a while, might have to rely on its offense, rather than its typically stingy defense to win early season games. LSU's pre-season All-Americans Jarrett Lee,
Trindon Holliday, and Keiland Williams will have an uphill battle facing Florida State's fast and vicious defense, rated an A+ on the game. This one will likely come down to the final few minutes.
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#18 Georgia @ #13 Virginia Tech
Season 1 Results ~ Did Not PlayThe Bulldogs travel to Blacksburg with a renewed confidence and swagger after finishing last season with a 4 game winning streak and a spot back in the Top 25 poll. Georgia started off slow last season after being ranked #1 to start the season, but the emergence of dynamic
RB Knowshon Moreno and the effecient passing of Matthew Stafford lead the Bulldogs to a winning record by season's end. The Hokies enter season 2 with veteran QB
Tyrod Taylor looking to command a balance offensive attack with RB Kenny Lewis and TE Sam Wheeler returning for another season. This game will be decided by the Hokies' success in stopping the Georgia clock-eating, running attack and whether or not Stafford can manage the game without forcing balls into coverage. The winner of this game gains confidence and momentum heading into week 2 of the season.
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Miami @ Ole MissSeason 1 Results ~ Did Not PlayAlthough the Rebels and the Hurricanes both enter the season un-ranked, this matchup could be the most anticipated game of the week. No one knows what to expect out of either team, both being lead by new coaches this season. New Miami Coach StuBucksman has flirted with the idea of bringing the wing-T/wishbone offense to South Beach, but has also mentioned running the spread. He could be just playing mind games with the media (and the Rebels) at this point. StuBucksman, offensive coordinator on Steve Spurrier's South Carolina staff last season, has made it clear that he intends to "haze," "punish," and "indoctrinate" the "Noob" (Rebels Coach Hank9481) into the R.U.T.S. dynasty. Hank9481 also took notice of the insulting comments made by StuBucksman last week regarding Hank's placement of his email reply messages within the body/text of league emails. "It's so annoying," said StuBucksman. So there you have it...a war of words between two teams. But this battle will be decided on the field/tv screen. Can Stu lead the Canes back to national respect and prominance? Can Hank get the Rebs off to a good start in what could be a banner year for the Rebels?
Bo Outlaw (RB/WR) - 6 receptions, 84 rec. yards, 3 TD receptions
CJ Spiller (RB) - 10 total TDs; 17 carries, 120 yards, 6 rushing TDs; 15 receptions, 163 yards, 3 TD receptions; 1 Punt return TD
Cameron Newton (QB) - 17/21, 300 yards, 3 TDs
Matthew Stafford (QB) - 25/32 passing, 312 yards, 4 TDs
Jevan Snead (QB) - 27/41 passing, 444 yards, 3 TDs
