National Title Chase Heating Up - Captain Compete To The Rescue

As we enter Week 12, the season 3 national title race is as hot as it's ever been in RUTS. For the first time in RUTS history this late in the season, all 6 RUTS teams are ranked in the top 25, and 4 teams are ranked in the Top 9 of the BCS. Some huge games involving RUTS and non-RUTS teams are coming up in the next few weeks that will shape up the national title race.

This situation calls for one man...Captain Compete!



1. Clemson - upcoming games vs. Texas, @ #24 Penn State, vs. #23 Miami (ACC title game)
The Tigers seem to have a lock on the nation's top spot, at least until the ACC Championship Game against Miami. Miami has been known to roll through its late season games, and knocked #1 LSU out of the national championship game last season. Look for a tough battle in Tampa to determine the ACC Champion. If Clemson wins out, they will be playing for a 3-Peat!

2. USC - tough upcoming games @ Florida State, vs. UCLA
The Trojans have sailed through their schedule thus far, but reality is about to set in soon. A Week 13 trip to Tallahassee will likely send the Trojans title hopes down the drain. Even if they get past the 'Noles, a rivalry game with UCLA awaits, and the Trojans haven't beaten UCLA since RUTS began.

3. LSU - upcoming games vs. #12 Alabama, @ Arkansas, vs. #4 Ohio State, vs. #9 Florida (SEC title game)
LSU is seemingly in a great position to play its way into a rematch against Clemson for the national title...but first they will have to navigate through a gauntlet of a cpu schedule and a rematch with #9 Florida in Atlanta. The Gators boast one of the nation's fastest and toughest defenses, and although LSU has won the last 4 games in the series, Florida will be aiming to ruin the Tigers conference and national title hopes. If LSU manages to win out though, they will likely find themselves playing for the crystal ball.

4. Ohio State - upcoming games vs. #6 Michigan, @ #3 LSU

5. Florida State - upcoming games @ #2 USC, vs. #9 Florida
The Seminoles fell only 2 spots this week after the tough loss against Clemson, and find themselves in a great position to climb back up into one of the top two spots if they can get some help. If coach cjohnchavis can lead his team to victories over the Trojans and the Gators, they will likely move into the top 3, and wait on the outcomes of the ACC and SEC title games. If either LSU or Clemson gets knocked off, look for the Seminoles to Tomahawk Chop their way all the way to Glendale, AZ for the national championship game.

6. Michigan - upcoming games @ #4 Ohio State

7. Indiana - upcoming games vs. Wisconsin and other Big 10 teams (not OSU or Mich)
The Hoosiers are a surprising dark horse in this race and if they win out and get some help, could make a great Cinderella story. The RUTS staff hopes this DOES NOT happen!

9. Florida - upcoming games vs. South Carolina, @ #5 Florida State, vs. #3 LSU (SEC title)
Possibly more than any other team on this list, the Gators hold the key to determining the national championship game teams. With all of the big games pitting top 10 teams coming up, Florida isn't out of the running by any means, but they will need some help to jump into the Top two. Florida's games against Florida State and LSU will be huge. If Florida can knock off both of those teams, look for the Gators to make some noise in the BCS title game discussion.

19. Nebraska - upcoming games vs. Colorado, @ #21 Miami
The Cornhuskers have been under the radar all season despite compiling an impressive resume of victories and a Top 20 ranking. The week 14 matchup with Miami will be a good indicator of how far coach ccut has brought this program since he took the healm this season. With only 2 losses (to FSU and Florida), the Cornhuskers will have to beat Oklahoma again in the Big 12 title game. It's unlikely that Nebraska will jump into the BCS title mix, but securing a BCS bowl bid is a great feat for this young team, who undoubtably will be a team to watch from week 1 in season 4.

21. Miami - upcoming games @ Virginia, vs. #19 Nebraska, vs. #1 Clemson (ACC title game)
The Hurricanes have had an up and down season this year. After starting off red hot in a win against top 10 Illinois, the Canes lost back-t0-back games against rivals Florida and LSU. Since then however, the Canes have reeled off 7 wins in their last 8 games and have locked up the ACC Coastal Division title. Miami, who knocked off #1 LSU last season in week 14, will be looking to play spoiler again against ranked foes Nebraska and Clemson in the final weeks of this season. Star tailback Graig Cooper is also climbing up on the Heisman watch list and his running ability will be key to the Canes' success in the coming weeks. Coach Stubucksman is growing his beard out for the Canes' stretch run and has vowed not to shave until Miami loses.


So, who makes it out alive? Only time will tell! But one thing is for sure, the teams who finish #1 and #2 will have Captain Compete on their side!