Conference Championship Week

Championships will be crowned. Hearts will be broken. Dreams will be made and crushed. This is American Idol...I mean, RUTS Dynasty Conference Championship Week.

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Nebraska vs. #4 Oklahoma

Coach ccut leads his Big Red Huskers into the Big XII Championship Game matchup with #4 Oklahoma. This is a rematch from Week 11 of this season, when the Huskers upset undefeated Oklahoma 38-35, and pits two old-school rivals vying for conference supremacy. Coach ccut has the Huskers on the brink of a major turn around in just 1 season at the helm. Despite losing big in week 14 to Miami, look for Nebraska to look to freshman sensation Pierre Powers for big plays and another upset. If this happens, we expect Nebraska Athletic Director Tom Osborne to lock Coach ccut into a multi-year contract right away. Rumors have been swirling around the message boards that the Texas Longhorns, who are looking for a new head coach after Coach zeejaydee mysteriously vanished mid-season, may come full-steam in an attempt to lure the young coach to Austin. Coach ccut has not gone on record to address the situation, only saying that he is focused on winning the conference title. A source close to the situation has also told ESPN that Coach Ccut may be a candidate to take over for Bob Stoops at Oklahoma, if the Huskers upset the Sooners this week. The question is, will either TX or OU be able to match Nebraska's rumored offer of 6 years, $321 million?
Predicted score---- Nebraska 35, Oklahoma 28
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#1 Clemson vs. #20 Miami

This is the first matchup between the Hurricanes and the Tigers this season, and it's a dangerous matchup for Clemson. The Hurricanes are riding a wave of momentum after thumping Nebraska last week and have nothing to lose in this matchup in Tampa. Clemson had to come from behind against Penn State, but we expect the Tigers to be prepared and ready in this one. Miami has finished strong for the past 2 seasons, and knocked off #1 LSU in week 14 of last season. The Hurricanes will have an uphill battle to defeat the Tigers, but with senior RB Graig Cooper plowing through defenders, anything is possible. Clemson's opportunistic defense will make it difficult on Miami's offense though.

The normally talkative Coach StuBucksman seems to have taken a media hiatus and has quieted his trash talking late in the season. When asked about this week's game, Stu glared at the camera, his fully grown beard flowing in all its glory, and said "I've really gotta take a dump."

Clemson is no stranger to big time games, having played two #2 vs. #3 games already this season. Look for this game to be extremely close, but it's hard to bet against the Tigers. A win puts them into their 3rd consecutive national title game. In this one, we expect Miami's ground game to make this one interesting, but Clemson's defense, which is an interception creating machine, will force Miami QBs Robert Marve and Knox Knunley into some tough situations. Look for Clemson to win this one, but we won't be surprised if it comes down to the wire. If Miami can establish any sort of passing game to prevent them from being 1 dimensional on offense, this one could have upset written all over it.
Predicted score------Clemson 27, Miami 21
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#2 LSU vs. #13 Florida

Here we go again! LSU and Florida wil meet on the RUTS gridiron for the 6th time in RUTS history this week, again for the SEC title. LSU defeated the Gators in Gainesville 38-24 in Week 7 of this season and have won 4/5 in the series. Florida will look much different this time out though, as they will be playing with star RB Chris Rainey, who was injured in week 7. Florida's defense is one of the fastest and best in the nation, and always make it tough for LSU to move the ball. Despite a loss to rival FSU last week, the Gators will come into this game with revenge on their minds, and just like Miami, have nothing to lose. #2 LSU has everything to lose, and will have to fight the urge to play conservatively in this title matchup.

Revenge of another sorts will be on the Gator's minds as well. In season 1, LSU defeated then #1 and undefeated Florida in the SEC title game to spoil the Gators' national championship dreams. Don't think the Gators won't be looking to spoil the Tigers' run this season.

LSU is without its backup tailback Jermaine Osborn, who has slowly emerged as the Tigers 2nd option at tailback this season. Look for LSU to take a shot or two deep early to try to soften up Florida's stingy defense. LSU was able to connect on two deep TD passes in the week 7 matchup, which proved to be crucial scores.

This one should be a hard fought matchup. Both teams are familiar with each others' styles and rosters, so we don't expect there to be many surprises in this one, just a hard fought, slugfest featuring two of the fastest and most talented teams in the country. With that said, we think LSU will pull out a close victory, and move on to the BCS National Title game against the Clemson Tigers.
Predicted score ----- LSU 31, Florida 27

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Every RUTS team plays this week, except for #3 Florida State. Coach cjohnchavis used the off-time to do the unthinkable and shopped for some attire from his favorite two teams this week. A loss by either Clemson or LSU puts the Seminoles in the national championship game! If a Seminole can show some love for the Hurricanes and Gators, you know it's gonna be a crazy week!