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#14 Miami @ #7 LSU
Last season, an undefeated and #1 ranked LSU Tigers team traveled to South Beach for the final week of the regular season, squaring off against an un-ranked, un-respected Miami team who entered the contest at 8-3. A pre-game fight between the two teams only added to the drama. The Canes used a creative offense featuring FB Dives and Off-Tackle hand offs to pound the Tigers into the ground and knock off the nation's #1 team, keeping them out of the national title game. Since then, the Canes have surged into the national spotlight, and climbed as high as #8 in the national polls last week before losing a heart breaker to Florida.
LSU enters this week still smarting from a 3 point defeat at Clemson. Both teams feel as if they should have won their games, and it will be interesting to see which team bounces back this week.
LSU is riding a RUTS Dynasty leading, 12 game winning streak at home and have not lost in Tiger Stadium since week 2 of season 1. They have also been at their best when their backs are against the wall, following up their previous 3 RUTS defeats with huge wins (35-21 @ FSU, 63-0 @ S. Carolina, and 20-3 vs. Florida). The same kind of mindset will be needed tonight when the Canes come to town.
Will the Canes Emerge from Death Valley alive?
Miami's rise back to national prominence has been fast and impressive. The Canes boast one of the nation's stingiest defenses and have 2 defensive ends (rated 99 and 97) that would make LSU Defensive Coordinator John Chavis salivate! The Canes bread and butter, however, is its running game and star tailback Graig "Don't Call Me GREG" Cooper." In last season's game against the Tigers, Cooper and freshman Bryce Brown (who has since transferred to Cow Bell University) racked up a boat load of rushing yards and dominated the time of possession. At the end of the day, Miami had upset #1 LSU, and the Canes had run 55 plays on offense, compared to only 24 for LSU.
The book is out on Miami though, literally, as a former Hurricanes graduate assistant reportedly faxed the LSu coaching staff a copy of Miami's offensive playbook. The Graduate Assistant has since been terminated. Here is a copy of the entire playbook:
The biggest story has been the shocking dismissal of Miami strength coach Ted DiBiase. Dibiase, a former WWF pro wrestler, was mentioned in week 2's preview of the Miami/Florida game. The problem was, while he was working at Miami, not only was he paying Miami athletes with his "millions" of dollars, but he was also taking Miami players Knox Knunley, Larry Chambers, and Ed Simmons with him on the weekends to be his "managers" on the local pro-wrestling circuit, "South Beach Wrestling Club For Former Legends of the WWF." In his heart, DiBiase knew taking players with him was wrong, but he claimed that he has been trying desperately to fill the void in his heart that was left by his former manager/male-lover, Virgil. After years of verbal abuse, the two had a falling out, which ended in violence at WWF Summer Slam in 1991. No matter though, Dibase knew the rules, as NCAA Bylaw 23.4657836283 1/2 clearly states that:
"No university employee shall request a student athlete to attend a pro wrestling event with him/her, and it is not only frowned upon, but illegal, to ask said student athlete to serve as a manager for said university employee/wrestler."
Former Miami strength coach Ted Dibiase announces he is stepping down from the position, effective immediately.
As if Miami Coach StuBucksman didn't have anything else to worry about, he now has to replace his strength coach the week of one of the biggest games of the season. After much debate, Stu promoted "Chubby," the Hurricanes team yoga instructor to fill the void on an interim basis. Although unavailable for comment, Coach StuBucksman said this in the official press release:
"Although I am saddened about the departure of the Million-Dollar Man from our program, I like what Chubby brings to the table. His yoga moves are stellar, and our players really respond to the way he infuses aerobics and dance steps into their workouts." (On a side note...watch that whole video and try to not laugh out loud!)
No matter how much internal drama there is in the Miami camp, the game will be won between the white lines, and this game should be a dandy. These two teams have two very different offensive and defensive philosophies. Miami's plan is clear and simple...pound the rock, eat the clock, and wear down the LSU defense. LSU touts a more balanced attack with speed galore at the skill positions, but will strength win out over speed again? It will be interesting to see which style comes out on top.
The LSU crazy Cajun fans will be rowdy and ready for this one, and it will be tough for Miami QB Robert Marve to audible at the line of scrimmage. This game is a toss-up, and Las Vegas oddsmakers have listed LSU as a mere 1 point favorite. The RUTS Dynasty staff is torn as to who to pick in this one. When Commissioner and Vice-Commissioner meet on the field, it's anyone's game. However, we think that Miami will be driving for a late, game winning score, when Robert Marve will throw and interception. LSU will have one play left, and attempt a 67 yard FG for the win. The snap is down...the kick is up...........and it's
a) GOOD
b) NO GOOD
c) THE GAME DISCONNECTS WHILE BALL IS IN FLIGHT
d) BLOCKED, MIAMI RECOVERS BUT FUMBLES (Leon Lett style) and LSU returns it for a TD
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#10 Florida @ Nebraska
The Gators are back in the top 10 this week after squeaking out a miraculous victory over Miami last week. However, they have little time to celebrate, as they head to Lincoln to tangle with up and coming Nebraska. The Big Red Machine rolled through TCu last week, and have found a dynamic player to compliment their already potent running game. Pierre Powers, who undoubtedly will be on the RUTS Dynasty "All-Name team" dominated the Horned Frogs and will look to do the same again at home this week.
Nebraska is well coached and it will be interesting to see what scheme ccut comes up with to negate the Gators' speed advantage. The season is young, but whoever wins this game takes a huge step in national spotlight. If the Gators can win on the road, they will likely march into the week 7 game against LSU in the top 10, while a Nebraska win would mean the Cornhuskers would be favored to enter their week 14 game at an astonishing 10-1.
The heat is on for both teams, but the RUTS staff is predicting a shocking upset. The Cornhuskers will use the ground game to keep Carlos Phillips and the Gators offense on the sidelines. Nebraska wins a hard fought game 24-20 and sends shock waves throughout the RUTS Dynasty nation.
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Other games this week -
Maryland @ #2 Clemson - Will the Tigers have a hangover after last week's triumph over LSU?
Boston College @ #4 Florida State - Will the Noles let their first top 5 ranking in RUTS history get to their heads?
#8 Wisconsin @ #24 Texas - After two tough defeats, the Horns get another huge test with the 8th-ranked Badgers. Will this be the week Texas breaks through to topple a top 10 team?
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