(#4, #4)Alabama (12-1) vs. (#7, #9) Utah (12-0)
Sugar Bowl
New Orleans, La.
Jan. 2, 7:00 PM
All-Time Series: First Meeting
All-Time Bowl Records: Alabama 31-21-3, Utah 10-3
Monday’s Line: Alabama -9.5
Total Offense, Scoring Offense (National Rank):
Utah: 403.6 ypg, (32nd), 37.4 ppg (15th)
Alabama: 367.2 ypg (56th), 31.2 ppg (30th)
Total Defense, Scoring Defense (National Rank):
Utah: 295.9 ypg (17th), 17.3 ppg (12th)
Alabama: 256.9 ypg (3rd), 13.0 ppg (6th)
The Crimson Tide will wrap up another memorable season in its long, storied history Friday night with its 13th appearance in the Sugar Bowl.
They’ll take on an undefeated Utah Utes team that first crashed the BCS in 2005, spanking Pittsburgh in the Fiesta Bowl.
Much of the news this week has focused on the suspension of All-America LT Andre Smith. The Outland Trophy award winner violated unspecified team rules and will miss the final game of the season, and possibly his career.
This puts added pressure on QB John Parker Wilson to make smart, accurate throws to prevent the Utes from stacking the box to take away the Tide’s power running game.
Smith’s absence won’t affect the Tide’s defensive game plan, though. That’s where the Tide have excelled all season, ranking in the top six in both total defense and scoring defense.
And while the Utes certainly present a new set of challenges, some of what they run is similar to Florida’s attack, just without Tebow at the helm. Utah senior QB Brian Johnson is certainly no slouch, though, throwing for 2,600+ yds and 24 TDs on the season.
There’s no doubt that Andre Smith will be missed, but his absence won’t be enough to derail the Tide. This Alabama team is too sound and too disciplined to have a hiccup against a team that is not more talented.
Saban will have the Tide ready to play, and the SEC will continue its BCS dominance.
Alabama 24, Utah 14
5 comments Last one added 6 months ago — Leave a Comment
Erik Kilgo 6 months ago
We will see. Everyone overlookin the Utes!
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W.T. Standard 6 months ago
Bama's biggest problem is not the loss of Andre Smith. No, it's the problem of "how to get up for a game against Utah?"
No offense to Utah, but if Alabama's opponent were Texas or USC believe me there would be no lack of motivation to get up for the game. SEC against arguably the Big 12's champion or against USC, the Media's espoused #1 team and best defense of all time, and I can guarantee you Alabama's best efforts would be on display.
But Utah!!! Again, no offense, but it's just hard to find a real reason to care............
Hopefully Nick and the boys can find a way and the Tide Rolls!!!
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Joshua Pinion 6 months ago
Alabama has no problem getting up for utah the only reason we are not in the national championship game is not the fact that florida was better but we simply made too many mistakes
ROOOLLLLLLLL TIDE ROLL
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GatorJon 6 months ago
Welcome to B/R, Joshua.
Yes, I would say Bama getting crushed in the 4th qtr by the Gators was a pretty big "mistake".
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Anthony Marietti 6 months ago
I wonder how those words taste?
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