Andre Smith was suspended by the University of Alabama on Monday, Dec. 29. Sources reported that he had illegal contact with an NFL agent.

Nick Saban declared, "The University of Alabama, the team, and the football program are more important than any individual player. Everyone on our team depends on each other to be responsible, to make good choices and decisions relative to their actions."

This will affect the Tide but should not matter dramatically. The Tide offensive line, arguably the best in the nation, was held together by the top projected NFL draft pick, Andre Smith.

The Utah defense will not penetrate through Nick Saban's masterpiece offensive line. That may seem to be a biased opinion, but it is fact.

This inconvenience is not good for the Tide, but it will not affect them as it would have if Alabama had lost its star lineman before they faced Florida.

Whether or not this situation will affect Andre Smith's decision on whether to stay in college or to head for the NFL has not been revealed.