Sugar Bowl

On January 2nd, 2009 the Utah Utes will play the Alabama Crimson Tide in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, LA. I am (obviously) beyond excited. For those that don't know me, I am a Ute through and through. This will be a tough game, that is unquestionable, I do not know that the Utes will win but they certainly can.

Thoughts:

Andre Smith is out; this is huge. He could be a starter in the NFL right now, he is big and fast and strong and good. He apparently had improper dealings with an professional agent, I do not know what an improper dealing is, but it is improper enough to be dismissed from the team and (effectively) be his last hurrah at Alabama. The one game he missed this year was against Tulane {freaking Tulane} and Alabama had 172 yards {freaking 172} of total offense. Their season average was 367. You do the math. A pretty fast and talented defensive front coming at John Parker Wilson could cause Alabama problems.

Alabama is disappointed; they were one quarter away from the national championship game {one freaking quarter} They got smacked in the mouth by the Florida Gators, especially in the 4th quarter, where they got 6 yards of offense {freaking six}. Not exactly great momentum.

Both teams could be rusty; I don't care who you are, an over 20 day layoff will make any team any sport rusty.

Nick Saban; from what I know about Nick Saban (very little) personally he is kind of pompous kind of arrogant, calculated, annoying for media members, and plenty more more-or-less negative things, but he is talented at what he does. He is the highest paid coach in college football (he was even on the cover of Forbes) something he probably deserves and he can and will make a difference for the Tide.

Kyle Whittingham; also a really good coach. His team went 12-0, he is a good coach. That's it.

more to follow