(#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
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The Crimson Tide was led by Senior Quarterback John Parker Wilson to a undefeated regular season (12-0). With the new Coaching staff, they allowed Wilson to play within his abilities. He is extremely strong against man coverage and play action passing. He leads the University in most passing records at the Capstone. Which is remarkable, considering all the Coaching changes and different schemes he has had to adjust to.
He has learned to throw the ball away if need be and not force the ball in desperation. With that said he will dominate Utah in the Sugar Bowl with perhaps his best performance yet. He has played on the road in the SEC this year in extremely tough environments, such as Baton Rouge (where he received numerous death threats on his cell phone), Athens, Georgia Dome (Clemson and Florida), and Knoxville, TN.
He was almost perfect in each of those games. He is a fierce competitor and will lead his team to victory.
In the 75th Sugar Bowl, vs. Utah, he will become the MVP of the game. With a fantastic offensive line and excellent running backs he will continue to burn Utah on man coverage as Utah will be forced to stop the run first. Utah has know defensive lineman or D backs that can handle his movement in the pocket and his passing accuracy.
As he will utilize the Tight End and Julio Jones in play-action passes when Utah expects the run. He will perhaps be the most dangerous when he rolls out to the right and either hits a receiver or takes off running.
Wilson will play his final game as a Crimson Tide player. He will be MVP in the game. Projected stats for the game 17-21 passes for 225 yards including 2 Touch down passes. He will control the clock 40 minutes to 20 minutes for Utah.
Super Dave's prediction Alabama 38, Utah 10. Trick play of the game-toss sweep to Coffey throw back to Wilson then a 55 yard pass to Julio Jones for a TD.
Utah has had a great season but has not faced the likes of a HARD hitting smash mouth football time such as the TIDE! Look for Utah to struggle early and not be able to recover.
Sports Writer
Super Dave
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