ATLANTA — Seventh-ranked Utah, the only major college team left with a perfect record, faces its toughest assignment yet when the Utes tangle with once-beaten No. 4 Alabama in the Sugar Bowl game on Friday night.
Utah got a break earlier this week when Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban announced that All-American offensive tackle Andre Smith was suspended and would not play in the Sugar Bowl.
There's no question the Tide's line would be more imposing with Smith in the lineup, but it is loaded with outstanding offensive linemen. The Tide will be able to move the ball on the ground against the smaller Utes.
Saban did not specify Smith's violation, but reports have circulated in Alabama that Smith or a member of his family had dealings with an agent.
One member of the Utah defense expressed disappointment at missing an opportunity to square off with one of the nation's top linemen.
Utah defensive end Paul Kruger said he was looking forward to matching up with Smith. The All-Mountain West Conference performer had 7.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss.
"I was a little disappointed. "I feel like it would have been a good matchup and a great opportunity for me," Kruger said. "He's a big part of their offense. They've got backup players that can step up and fill that need. I don't think it's going to change our gameplan at all or their gameplan."
Utah has a solid quarterback to face the Tide in Brian Johnson, who threw for 2,634 yards and 24 touchdowns. He had a 25-7 record as a starter, including winning 20 of his last 21 starts.
Bama counters with John Parker Wilson, who threw for 2,096 yards and nine scores, and running back Glen Coffee, who ran for 1,347 yards and needs 124 more to equal Bobby Humphrey's school record of 1,471 in 1986.
The Tide is a 9-point favorite. It's their first Sugar appearance since belting top-ranked Miami 34-13 for the national title in the 1993 Sugar. What about this game? Make it Alabama 34-13.
The Southeastern Conference sends six other teams into bowl action over the next three days before the biggest game unfolds in Miami on Jan. 8 - the Bowl Championship Series national championship game between top-ranked Florida and No. 2 Oklahoma.
In other SEC bowl action this week:
Boston College (minus 3) vs. Vanderbilt in Music City Bowl: It's a hometown game in a bigger stadium that usual for the Commodores. BC has had success in bowls. Boston College 17-10.
LSU (plus 4) vs. No. 14 Georgia Tech in Chick-fil-A bowl: Paul Johnson wasted no time getting the Yellow Jackets to buy in to his triple option offense. The Tigers will have trouble slowing down Jonathan Dwyer & Co. Georgia Tech 28-21.
Iowa (minus 4) vs. South Carolina in Outback Bowl: The Gamecock defense faces a stiff challenge trying to corral Hawkeye Shonn Greene, who ran for 1,729 yards and 17 TDs this year. Iowa won five of its last six games. Iowa 24-17.
No. 16 Georgia (minus 7) vs. No. 19 Michigan State in Capital One Bowl: A battle of running backs is the feature attraction in this game - Georgia's Knowshon Moreno and Michigan State's Javon Ringer. Moreno ran for 1,338 yards, Ringer for 1,590 and 21 touchdowns. Looks like that edge might go to Ringer, but the overall edge goes to a much more balanced Bulldog attack. Georgia 31-17.
No. 4 Texas Tech (minus 4) vs. No. 20 Mississippi in Cotton Bowl: Tech's Graham Harrell is the nation's leading passer, having posted such gaudy numbers as 4,747 yards and 41 touchdowns in the air. The Rebels are fifth in the nation with three sacks per game. They'll get more than the average in Dallas and Harrell will find it hard to throw from flat on his back. Ole Miss 27-24.
East Carolina (minus 3) vs. Kentucky in Liberty Bowl: Defense and versatile freshman quarterback Randall Cobb gives Kentucky a good chance to knock off the Conference USA champs. Kentucky 14-10.