Sugar Bowl Preview

Allstate Sugar Bowl
Utah vs Alabama
Friday, January 2, 8:00
on FOX
Superdome - New Orleans

Why you should watch:

• Can Utah pull the upset?
  
• Was Alabama good enough to play for the National Title?
• Should non-BCS schools be allowed in BCS games?
• 2 very good defenses against average offenses
  

Why you shouldn't watch:

• Alabama might embarrass the Utes
  
• Might be low scoring
• You might have something better to do on a Friday night
  

Streaks and Scheduling Notes:
Utah:

• 12-0 (8-0)
  
• 6th straight bowl game (5-0); 8-0 in last 8 bowl games
  

Alabama:

• 12-1 (8-1)
  
• 5th straight bowl game (2-2)
  

Key Stats, Figures, and Players:
Utah:

• Offensively they are solid and balanced. They are 41st in the country in rushing and passing offense. And they are 15th in scoring offense.
  
• Defensively they are very good against the run but can struggle against the pass. They only allow 17 points per game.
  
• QB Brian Johnson has thrown for over 2,600 yards and 24 touchdowns this season.
  
• RBs Matt Asiata and Darrell Mack have combined for almost 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns this season.
• WR Freddie Brown has 65 receptions for 775 yards and 7 touchdowns this season.
• DE Paul Kruger has 15.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks this season. He might have a good day against Bama with their starting tackle suspended.
  

Alabama:

• Offensively they run the ball. They average almost 200 yards per game on the ground but only 170 through the air.
  
• Defensively they are really strong against the run and solid against the pass. They only allow 79 yards rushing and 178 yards passing per game.
  
• RB Glen Coffee has been a stud this season. He has over 1,300 yards and 10 touchdowns this season.
  
• His backup RB Mark Ingram has also had a good season with over 700 yards and 12 touchdowns.
• Freshman WR Julio Jones is a gamebreaker on the outside with 51 catches for over 800 yards and 4 touchdowns.
  
• CB Rashad Johnson is a good cover corner. This season he has 5 interceptions. 2 of which he returned for touchdowns.
  

Who Wins:

Alabama....I think Utah will keep it close but unfortunately for them I don't think they can quite keep up. I am pulling for the Utes though since it would hurt the SECs reputation as well as make the Mountain West conference's. It should be a very good game though.