Where: New Orleans.
When: 6 p.m.
TV: KDVR-31
Series record: First meeting
What’s at stake: Utah has won seven straight bowls and a nation’s best 13 straight games. With a victory, Utah would finish the season 13-0 and become the first team from a non-BCS conference to win two BCS games. Alabama, which fell one victory short of an appearance in the BCS title game, looks to punctuate its return to national prominence with its ninth Sugar Bowl victory in school history.
Key matchup: Alabama’s powerful offensive line has spearheaded a running game averaging 196.5 yards. The unit significantly outweighs Utah’s defensive line, but the Utes rank 12th in the country in scoring defense (17.2 points per game).
Players to watch: Utah — QB Brian Johnson completed 68.3 percent of his passes this season for 2,636 yards and 24 touchdowns. All-American Louie Sakoda is one of the best kickers and punters in the country, only the second player to be a finalist for the Lou Groza and Ray Guy awards in the same season. Alabama — RB Glen Coffee led Alabama’s powerful running game with 1,347 yards and 10 TDs. WR Julio Jones had 51 catches for 847 yards.
Facts and figures: Utah’s last BCS bowl appearance resulted in a 35-7 victory over Pittsburgh in the Fiesta Bowl following the 2003 season. . . . Utah has defeated five other teams that appeared in bowl games: Oregon State, BYU, TCU, Air Force and Colorado State. . . . The Utes are 10-3 all time in bowls. . . . Alabama has appeared in 55 bowl games, with a record of 31-21-3. . . . Alabama’s 13th appearance in the Sugar Bowl ties a record also held by LSU. . . . Alabama’s last appearance in the Sugar Bowl was a 1993 34-13 victory over Miami. The Associated Press
