Season 3 Stats Leaders (as of Week 12)

Passing:

1. Bryn Renner, North Carolina - 5,004 passing yards, 62 TDs, 12 INTs

2. Tyler Bray, Tennessee - 4,972 yards, 54 TDs, 24 INTs

3. Landry Jones, Oklahoma - 4,170 yards, 43 TDs, 10 INTs

 

Rushing:

1. Trent Richardson, Alabama - 2,055 yards, 38 TDs

2. Jamaal Berry, Ohio State - 1,723 yards, 23 TDs

3. Spencer Ware, LSU - 1,365 yards, 31 TDs

Receiving:

1. Jheranie Boyd, North Carolina - 105 receptions, 2,643 yards, 22 TDs

2. Jaz "Don't Call Me "Yazz" Reynolds, Oklahoma - 100 receptions, 1,928 yards, 22 TDs

3. Brian Abrams, LSU - 83 receptions, 1,640 yards, 18 TDs

Tackles:

1. Shayon Green, Miami MLB - 61 tackles

2. Vaughn Telemaque, Miami SS - 57 tackles

3. Kevin Reddick, North Carolina MLB - 56 tackles

Sacks:

1. Sam Montgomery, LSU DE - 22 sacks

2. Marcus Robinson, Miami DE - 11 sacks

3. Chancey Agahyere, LSU DE - 10 sacks

Interceptions:

1. Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama CB - 7 INTs

2. Morris Claiborne, LSU CB - 7 INTs

3. Brandon McGee, Miami CB - 5 INTs

Kicking:

1. Patrick O'Hara, Oklahoma - 126 total points, 15/15 FGs

2. Josh Jasper, LSU - 110 total points, 3/3 FGs

Longest FG: Ben Turk, Notre Dame, 58 yards

Kick Returns:

Shaquelle Evans, Notre Dame - 23.29 yards per return, 1 TD

Punt Returns:

Morris Claiborne, LSU - 13.8 yards per return,

Tigers Invite VIPs Back for Clash with Bama

In a move that had been anticipated for weeks, LSU Athletic Director Mark Cuban proved once again why he's the best marketer/people person/former professional sports owner-turned Athletic Director of all time.

Cuban announced yesterday that before the #2 LSU Tigers much anticipated matchup this week with #1 Alabama, the Tigers will be inviting back a "Who's Who" of LSU Athletic Stars, and even some who have no connection to LSU, simply because he can.

Standing beside head coach cjohnchavis at the podium, Cuban announced that last season's Heisman Trophy Winner, and current Miami Dolphins WR Rueben 'Duece' Randle, will headline a list of celebrities and former LSU Tigers to get the fans even more revved up before the game. Randle, who has turned even more emotional (and rich) since departing LSU after his award-winning junior season, is excited about attending the game and hopes LSU can win so that he can host the team at his 6,700 square foot mansion near South Beach before the National Title Game.

Other former and famous Tigers and celebrities who are confirmed to be on the LSU sidelines this week include:

Shaq Daddy

Lebron, who's crossing his finger LSU can join him down in Miami.

SABAN! Who has hated Alabama since Coach Stu stole his job.

Tiger, with his new pet Tiger

Jamarcus Russell, b/c he literally has nothing else to do

White Tigers! At the urging of Coach cjohnchavis, the world famous Sigfried and Roy!

When notified about the smorgasbord of stars that LSU is bringing to the game, Alabama Coach StuBucksman scoffed and hinted that he might be bringing the most famous Alabamians he knows, just to show LSU who's boss. "We'll also be snacking on the Tigers' favorite delicacy the whole plane-ride to Baton Rouge," Coach Stu said.

This game is obviously the most anticipated game at Tiger Stadium in some time, and much credit can be given to Cuban for upping the ante and putting the pressure on Alabama to not be starstruck by the likes of Jamarcus Russell or get caught sneaking a peak at Sigfried's chest hair. Coach cjohnchavis has also been quick to credit Cuban for treating his players so well, providing ipads, flatscreens TVs, video game systems, and karaoke machines in each locker...not to mention having a permanent corndog stand constructed adjacent to the Tigers' dining hall.

"We've been recruiting lights out," said coach cjohnchavis. "How can a high school prospect come here and enjoy all the corndogs he can eat while playing Angry Birds on his ipad and NOT decide to attend LSU?"

It will be a big show in Baton Rouge this week, even before the game kicks off. But, it all comes down to X's and O's...and once the game starts, the stars will have little to do with the outcome.

It's 1 vs. 2 this week in RUTS!

#1 Alabama Crimson Tide (9-0)

vs.

#2 LSU Tigers (9-0)

Looking ahead to MAMMOTH Weeks 11, 12, and 13

While we wait for a few more teams to wrap up their week 10 games, we'll take the liberty to look forward to some huge games that lie ahead in weeks 11, 12, and 13. These games will have a huge impact on the season 3 national and conference title races.

Week 10's big game saw #2 Alabama defeat #6 North Carolina 42-20 behind another dominating running performance from "should-be-Heisman front runner" Trent Richardson. The loss likely ends UNC's national title hopes, but they still have a shot to make it to the SEC Championship Game.

Let's take a peek at some pivotal games coming up as we close out season 3 (current BCS Rankings are on the ride sidebar of the blog):

Week 11
#2 Alabama @ #1 LSU

This game has huge implications, and with it being so late in the season, is arguably the 'Game of the Year' in season 3. The #2 Crimson Tide, who might possibly jump back to the top-spot after knocking off #6 UNC this week travel to the Bayou to battle Coach cjohnchavis's "white Tigers" of LSU. LSU has always been a national title contender, reeling in top recruits year after year. However, in seasons 1 and 2, even though they finished in the Top 5, LSU couldn't clear the Alabama hurdle and have been left out of both the national and SEC title games. But, this year seems different.

Ever since Coach cjohnchavis took heed of the RUTS front office's demands/requests/begs to have the Tigers wear their now-famous white helmets and pants on the field, not only have LSU apparel sales ($$$) quadrupled, but the Tigers have reeled off 9 straight wins to start the season.

LSU's Defense has set an NCAA record for number of INTs off of tipped balls

"The white helmets and pants have been sexy and successful," said Coach cjohnchavis. "But, I think what really got us believing is when we finally knocked off Coach UTVOL54 and the Ohio State Buckeyes in Week 2. The monkey was off our backs after that win, and now, we're just letting the good times roll."

Scoring a victory over the mighty Crimson Tide, who will enter the game a surprising 6.5 point favorite, will be a huge challenge for the Tigers. Alabama will have to contend with the dominant pass rush of Sam Montgomery and the LSU front 7, but if Trent Richardson has early success on the ground, the Tide might make it difficult for cjohnchavis to blitz. Alabama, in user games, has averaged fewer than 10 pass attempts per game, and while Qb AJ McCarron is serviceable, Coach StuBucksman hasn't needed to rely on the signal caller to produce many numbers. Will such few pass attempts serve as sneaky counter to the fast pass rush of LSU?

Coach Stu channels his inner Whitney Houston

When asked, Coach Stu, in typical artistic fashion, muttered:

"I decided long ago, never to walk in anyone's shadow. If I fail...If I succeed...you can't take away my dignity. Be---cause, the great---est love of all's inside of ME!"

The winner of this game will indeed move on to play in the SEC Championship Game against either Tennessee or North Carolina and be favored to make the national championship game. However, the loser, having only 1 loss wouldn't be completely eliminated.

If Alabama loses, there is a good chance the Tide, with a victory over current #3 Southern Cal in Week 13, could vault back into the Top 2. If LSU loses, would the pollsters and the BCS rank them lower than Ohio State, even though the Tigers defeated them head-to-head? No matter who wins this game...there is sure to be boatloads of drama in seeing how the LOSER of this game fares in the final few weeks' polls. And, it's certainly possible that Alabama and LSU could meet up once again in Miami for a rematch in the BCS National Title Game!

Score Prediction: Alabama 27, LSU 24

Week 12:
 #5 Oklahoma @ #10 Miami

This game will decide the winner of the Big XII South division. In season 1, Miami shocked the Sooners by kicking a last-second, game winning FG to earn a trip to the conference title game. Last year, the Sooners defeated the Canes on their way to a perfect 14-0 National Championship Season.

The winner of this game will lock horns with #4 Ohio State in the title game this year, as the Buckeyes have all but clinched the North division title.

Miami, since starting 0-3 has reeled off five consecutive wins and jumped into the Top 10 of the BCS. While their chances at a national title game birth are slim, the Sooners, if they win out and defeat Ohio State in the Big XII title game would have a great chance to defend their national title again this season.

The injury bug has hit Miami hard, as their top two RBs (Lamar Miller and Storm Johnson) have been lost for the season. They'll rely heavily on the arm of QB AJ Highsmith and try to get production from talented sophomore RB Amir Arnold.

The Sooners have been efficient and steady in churning out an 8-1 record. QB Landry Jones is arguably one of the nation's best, but his supporting cast of skill position players isn't as talented as last season. RB Brennen Clay provides enough spark on offense to keep defenses off-balance, and the duo, along with a great defense will be enough to defeat the Canes in week 12.

Score Prediction: Oklahoma 34, Miami 21


Week 13:
#14 Tennessee @ #6 North Carolina

Coach EBDial has revamped his offense and has revitalized the Volunteer program and fan base. Fans and message boards alike are comparing this season's offense to the 2001 Vol offense, which featured Clausen, Travis Stephens, Jason Witten, Donte Stallworth, and Kelley Washington. The Vols have lost only 2 games, to Ohio State and Alabama while dominating the cpu opposition. In Week 11, the Vols travel to Notre Dame to face a scrappy Irish team coached by zeejaydee...a win or loss in that game could really affect the mindset of the Vols heading into Chapel Hill for arguably Coach EBDial's most important game in RUTS3.

Coach ChrisHicks21's UNC team has put up phenomenal numbers on offense on its way to a #6 national ranking. The pain from a loss to Alabama in week 10 could be cured with a victory over the Vols and another birth in the SEC title game, perhaps to face the Tide again.

This could be one of season 3's highest scoring head-to-head games, and viewers across the country will be tuning in to see the nation's top 2 passers in the "Tyler Bray vs. Bryn Renner show." Can either defense stop the other offense? We predict this game will come down to a late interception, and with Tyler Bray having thrown more than double the INTs that Renner has thrown (22 to 10), we like the Tarheels in this one.

Score Prediction:  UNC 52, Tennessee 45

Other RUTS3 News/Notes:  

Losing Teams To Be Rewarded??!!
 #4 Ohio State has all but locked up the Big XII North title. If the Buckeyes win out, and defeat either Miami or Oklahoma in the Big XII title game, many experts believe they'll finish the season ranked #2 in the BCS, ranked ahead of the LSU/Alabama game loser. The same is predicted for #5 Oklahoma. If the Sooners win out, and defeat Ohio State in the Big XII title game, many feel that with a conference title to go along with a 1-loss record, the Sooners would have enough votes to remain ahead of the LSU/Alabama game loser. Even though earlier this season, both the Sooners and Buckeyes lost to the SEC West teams. If this happens, you can be sure that these SEC fan bases would be rioting in the streets, but it's a scenario that seems likely at this point. The bottom line is...if you're LSU or Alabama...and you want the best chance to reach the title game...WIN IN WEEK 11! 

• 

  C0ACH_GUMP to join RUTS3 in season 4
  As  predicted a few weeks ago on the blog, it appears certain that a new coach will be joining RUTS3 next season. C0ACH_GUMP appears to be the lead candidate for the vacant head coach position at Florida, making an already tough SEC East even tougher next season. Coach GUMP has also received interest from Oregon, Michigan, and Portland High School in Tennessee. Coach GUMP will be the first coach in RUTS to admit to enjoying wearing gold chains, earrings, and jorts. ****If you'd like to go ahead and add Coach GUMP (Gary) as a friend on the PS3, his user name is C0ACH_GUMP , with a "zero" instead of an "o" in C0ACH and an underscore between C0Ach and GUMP.****
  
  

Recruiting Domination
LSU, Alabama, and Ohio State continue to dominate the Rivals recruiting rankings. LSU, with 10 five-stars, 10 four-stars, and 1 three-star commit has only 4 scholarships left to fill, and barring a late surge by Bama or Ohio State, the Tigers should remain #1 in the recruiting rankings through signing day. Ohio State and Bama are battling it out for 2 and 3.

Look What the Cat Drug In! New Coach Entering RUTS for Season 4??

In news that has yet to be confirmed by RUTS Officials or the athletic directors at Georgia or Florida, there are rumors swirling that either the Bulldogs or the Gators will have a new head coach starting this offseason. Coach CottonHeadedNinnyMuggins (official name to be determined) has been in discussions with both teams and is reportedly researching their current rosters, trying to determine the best fit for his dynamic Wild Elf offense, which shredded defenses at the high school level once upon a time.

 Coach CottonHeadedNinnyMuggins is looking to establish himself right away as a force in RUTS and sent a shot across the SEC bough via Twitter earlier this week.

@CottonHeadedNinnyMuggins Looking forward to taking my talents to RUTS3, where I shall rule with speed, efficiency, unmatched wit and an uncamnny ability to spread Christmas cheer.

Stay tuned to the blog for late breaking news on where this new RUTS Coach might land at season's end.

RUTS3 Reaches Milestone

This week, two big things happened to the RUTS3 community!
We reached 20,000 hits on our blog/website, and also Coach EBDial has done it...he's finally led the beloved Tennessee Vols back into the Top 25 for the first time in RUTS3 history. The Vols enter week 5 ranked #18 in the Coaches Poll.

Here is a look at the rest of the Top 25:
1. Alabama
2. LSU
3. Pittsburgh (cpu)
4. Ohio State
5. Georgia (cpu)
7. North Carolina
8. Oklahoma
10. Notre Dame
18. Tennessee

To Infinity & Beyond! Week 3 Pits National Title Game Rematch

In a rematch of the season 2 National Championship Game, the #2 Alabama Crimson Tide and the #3 Oklahoma Sooners lock horns tonight in Norman. The Sooners won last year's title game 34-31, and Bama Coach StuBucksman has made it no secret that he has never defeated Coach utvol27 in a college football game.

However, after LSU and Coach cjohnchavis defeated Coach UTVOL54 for the first time in RUTS history in week 2, Coach StuBucksman thinks anything is possible.

"We are coming into this game with a full head of steam," he said. "Trent is running harder than ever, and we are 100% sure that we can run the football on Oklahoma. I hope our receivers can make some plays down field to keep their safeties out of the box."

"Sch'yeah right," scoffed Coach utvol27. "Trent is a great back, maybe the best all-around running back college football has seen since I coached CJ Spiller, James Davis, Blake Miller at Clemson. Coach Stu has been the wandering gypsy of RUTS, traveling from team to team in an effort to beat me. Ain't happened before, sho' aint happenin' now."

Sensing the mounting tension, the NCAA stepped in this week and issued a mandatory cease-fire of words between the two rambunctious coaches. NCAA President Mark Emmert called a press conference early this morning at the Super 8 Motel in Norman, OK, where both coaches met up to shake hands, while wearing what Emmert called the costumes of champions. Coach utvol27 in a Woody costume. Coach Stu in Buzz Lightyear gear. To symbolize that one-time enemies can, indeed, become friends.

In an even more surprising move, Emmert announced that NFL referee and legitimate beast, Ed Hoculi, would serve as head referee for tonight's game, just in case the two coaches tried any monkey business.

"Hocules" called it the "honor of his life" to referee this game and got teary-eyed as he walked to the podium.







The two coaches awkwardly stood in front of dozens of reporters who snapped photo after photo of the trio.

"I was a little surprised in Ed's lack of height," said Coach utvol27. "But having him on the same field as me would make him appear small anyway."

Coach Stu, sporting a very questionable and slightly un-manly goatee, was visibly pissed after being made to dress up in a costume other than his Burger King outfit. Walking off the podium, Stu scoffed, "the NCAA got one thing right. "Just like in Toy Story, Buzz Lightyear will fly into town and take out the has-been, old toy. Coach utvol27 is that old toy, and I will take him out once and for all."

Season 3 - Week 2 Scoreboard

DRAMA

Two of our user games saw three point margins edge of your seat excitement. LSU and Ohio State provided a good ole' fashioned, smashmouth defensive contest, while North Carolina and Miami settled a shootout with a field goal.

A look back at the Week 2 action:

• Tigers finally roar

Defense and Ware seal the deal

#1 LSU - 27
#4 Ohio State - 24

Players of the Game:



HB Spencer Ware - 21 carries, 167 yards, 3 TD
LB Alex Harrison - 4 Tackles, 3 INT

• Tide rolls Irish
  

Richardson appear unstoppable, Tide claims "kingship"

#2 Alabama - 71
#9 Notre Dame - 10

Player of the Game:

HB Trent Richardson - 25 carries, 313 yards, 5 TD

• Bye Bye Sparty
  

Sooners dominate again with Defense

#3 Oklahoma - 56
#16 Michigan St. - 7

Player of the Game:

HB Roy Finch - 7 Carries, 137 yards, 1 TD

• The Defense Rests

Heels win shootout by a foot

#10 Miami -42
#14 North Carolina - 45

Player of the Game:

K Casey "Captain Ginger" Barth - Game Winning FG as time expires

• Bombs A'Bray

Junior Signal Caller puts up Ponder-like Passing Numbers

Tennessee -56
#25 Washington St. -33

Player of the Game:

QB Tyler "Toothpick" Bray - 21 of 57, 536 yards, 7 TD, 2 INT

Players of the Week:

Alabama HB Trent Richardson - 25 carries, 313 yards, 5 TD
Dominating Performance sets record for RUTS User game

Ohio State Students Dry Their Tears...With Song & Dance

This morning, in an impromptu display of talent, students at THE Ohio State University got over the "we just lost to LSU" blues the only way they knew how...with song and dance. Even the University President Gordon Gee got into the act.

"We felt this was the best way to shake out of the doldrums and ring in "Tennessee Week," said Gee. "We only wish that Coach UTVol54 was here to participate."

Coach UTVol54 was stuck in the film room, instead, dissecting just how in the world his team managed to commit three red zone turnovers against the Tigers. On to Tennessee...

Let the Valley Shake

Tigers Upset Buckeyes in Death Valley

Baton Rouge, LA - Fans packed Nicholson Dr in Baton Rouge, and Bourbon St in New Orleans until the wee hours of the morning as the LSU Tigers held on for a dramatic 27-24 victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes Saturday night.

Coming out in their "White Tiger" uniforms for the second straight game this season, LSU took the opening kickoff and drove the field to the 14 yard line for a 31 yard Josh Jasper FG. On the following drive, on the Buckeyes' first play from scrimmage, JUCO Transfer and LSU Sophomore LB Alex Harrison intercepted a Kenny Guiton pass to set up another Josh Jasper field goal, this time from 20 yards.

Ohio State answered shortly after the change of the quarter. A fourth down conversion early in the drive allowed Devin Barclay to punch a 50 yard field goal through the uprights, and cut the lead in half. Ohio State mounted a drive to answer, however, Harrison leaped and pulled in another Guiton pass for an interception. LSU followed with the "StuBucksman TM" score right before halftime when HB Spencer Ware knifed through the line for a touchdown run with 17 seconds remaining in the half. Ohio State got as far as the LSU 40 yard line on the following drive, however, Guiton was sacked, and a last ditch pass fell short in the endzone, giving LSU a 13-3 lead at the half.

The third quarter would belong to the Buckeyes. Guiton engineered a long drive coming out of the locker room, and connected with WR Duron Carter for a 21-yard touchdown pass with 4:31 to go in the 3rd. The LSU 13-10 lead was short-lived as Buckeye LB Jordan Whiting intercepted a Cameron Treangen pass and took it into the endzone to give Ohio State the lead.

Coach cjohnchavis huddled his team on the sideline and screamed for them asking for "physicality." "I had seen this look in my team's eyes before. I saw it in Tuscaloosa, I saw it in Columbus. I wasn't going to let them fold in the face of adversity again." said cjohnchavis. Treangen led the Tigers on a long scoring drive behind big runs by Shannon Scott and Spencer Ware. "Our guys up front, really started to take over, they set the tone. And Shannon and Spencer just ran plain hard" said Treangen. Treagen was noticeably animated when he connected with freshman wideout Bryan Abrams on a 3rd down pass. Ware finished the drive with another 4 yard touchdown run to give the Tiger the 20-17 lead.

Ohio State looked poised to answer. A long drive took the game into the 4th quarter on the strength of big plays from Guiton and a fourth down conversion. Guiton picked up chunks of yards scrambling to his left and finding receivers open along the sideline. "We had a good plan for him, confused him a little bit, but he really stressed our defense with his scrambling" said Tiger Defensive Coordinator Johnny Chavis.

Early in the 4th quarter, down 20-17, the Buckeyes drove inside the LSU 20 yard line twice before committing two devastating turnovers. On one, LSU DE Chancey Aghayere hit Guiton as he released the ball and LSU LB Alex Harrison alertly scooped it out of midair.

That momentum proved to be short lived for LSU. Ohio State was the beneficiary of a Cameron Treangen fumble inside Tiger territory, and once again, the Buckeyes had the ball, down 20-17 early in the 4th quarter. The Buckeyes drove inside the LSU 15 yard line again before yet another critcal mistake by Kenny Guiton. A Guiton pass was tipped by Anthony "Freak" Johnson, and fell into the waiting arms of Alex Harrison. It was the Sophomore's third interception of the day, and swung momentum back in favor of the Tigers.

Spencer Ware takes one to the house, which proved to be the game winning TD for LSU.

LSU RB Spencer Ware rode that momentum, and a pair of broken tackles, all the way into the endzone two plays later. The 72 yard touchdown run put LSU up 27-17 with 3:59 to play.

Eric Reid's leaping INT summed up the day for

With nearly 4 minutes left to play, the Buckeyes weren't giving up. They drove back inside the LSU redzone before yet another deadly decision by the usually reliable Kenny Guiton. This time, a leaping Eric Reid (LSU nickleback) picked off the errant Guiton pass at the 5 yard line, and for the third time in the 4th quarter, the Buckeyes were held scoreless after driving inside the red zone. Momentum, back to LSU!






Ohio State was able to make things interesting. They forced an LSU punt, and with less than 2 minutes remaining, Guiton led the Buckeyes down the field, finally connecting on a touchdown pass to TE Jake Stoneburner with 1:28 to play. LSU led 27-24, and the nervous crowd awaited the onside kick.

The Onside kick was recovered by the Tigers, and the clock struck zero following two Spencer Ware runs, setting off a wild scene in Tiger stadium. The Student section poured onto the field causing a fence to collapse in the corner of the endzone. Fans surrounded the cage of Mikey, a white tiger on loan from the Sigfried and Roy show. Goalposts were carried down Nicholson Dr and an impromptu pep rally and bon fire started in the empty field in front of Walk-Ons. Many fans remained until morning, some sleeping on abandoned tailgating couches.