Sugar Bowl Live Thread: Alabama Crimson Tide Versus Utah Utes | NCAAF | Alabama Crimson Tide

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1/2/09

Sugar Bowl Live Thread: Alabama Crimson Tide Versus Utah Utes

The Other National Championship Game [Sugar Bowl Live Thread]

NCAAF, Alabama Crimson Tide, Utah Running Utes, Nick Saban, Live Comment Thread, Sugar Bowl Live Thread, Sugar Bowl

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You could call tonight's Sugar Bowl National Championship Lite, seeing as there's an argument that both of these teams could theoretically be national champions. Alabama's only loss was to Florida, who is playing the National Championship, and Utah has yet to lose a game this season.

Obviously, because Alabama made it almost completely through the SEC season without a loss, they are the clear favorites. 96% of experts are going with the Crimson Tide, along with 91% of FanIQ.

I think Alabama will win this game, but I don't think it's ridiculous that Utah could surprise people. Utah actually had a slightly better strength of schedule than Alabama, before Alabama played in the SEC Championship.

In the end though, you have to figure that 'Bama's size will ultimately wear down Utah. But you know what they say, they don't play the games on paper, which means Utah has the chance to do something impressive tonight, much like Boise State did a few years back.

Feel free to chat up the game here or on the game page.

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1/2/09

Pat

4	Utah was extremely impressive in this game. They were winning convincingly wire to wire, and didn't need to resort to trick plays like Boise State did when they beat Oklahoma. this was an extremely legit win by the Utes. They are the better team, period. And of course, as I'm typing this, they run a trick play. But the game was already over anyway.

1/2/09

kantwistaye

2	If Utah wins, they have every right to call themselves National Champs and because I hate the BCS, go Utah!

1/2/09

Jubanator14

2	kantwistaye wrote: If Utah wins, they have every right to call themselves National Champs and because I hate the BCS, go Utah! and because I hate everyone always bringing up Boise St. over a not great Oklahoma teams....Go Utah!!

1/2/09

kantwistaye

2	Jubanator14 wrote: and because I hate everyone always bringing up Boise St. over a not great Oklahoma teams....Go Utah!! Stoops probably doesn't get enough credit for getting that team in a BCS bowl game.

1/2/09

Jubanator14

1	kantwistaye wrote: Stoops probably doesn't get enough credit for getting that team in a BCS bowl game. Agreed. That team had Paul Thompson as QB a year after he was a WR, Bomar had kicked off August 1 of that year too. Add to that that AD was hurt halfway threw the year and we lost to Texas too.

1/2/09

kantwistaye

1	(Edited by kantwistaye) Its still early so Bama could easily come back, but lets not forget that this Tide team played with Florida step for step. If Utah wins in this fashion they are very much legitimate.

1/2/09

kantwistaye

1	Alabama doesn't even look like it belongs on the same field as Utah. I'm just stunned. Even Nick Saban looks like he doesn't know what to think.

1/2/09

Pat

1	Wow.

1/2/09

sharapovasthigh

(Edited by sharapovasthigh)

I'm surprised by how dominating they are so far, because I thought Alabama was better than this, not that Utah wasn't terrific. I've watched them all year as a Colorado State guy in the MWC and believed they were absolutely for real. They're a very balanced team with talent everywhere. All the haters can shut the heck up now, regardless of how this one ends. They've at least shown they deserve to be here, and maybe more.

1/2/09

kantwistaye

1	Yeah, I heard that and thought "They are losing, right?"

1/2/09

phillydeac4life

(Edited by phillydeac4life)

Its ok, Bama is not out of the game just yet. Just kicked a FG, and put up the first points. On D, Bama needs to take out a linebacker and add another DBack because (1) unable to sub because of no huddle (2) having trouble with getting pressure on QB (3) Utah is not running the ball at all.

On Offense, the absence of OT Andre Smith is huge. Utah already has success blitzing from the left side, and has pressurd Wilson into a INT and sacked him a few times. Hopefully, Bama can run some screens to counter Utah's Blitzes. Finally, we will see just what Parker Wilson is made of. He has already broken all the Alabama passing records, but if he wants to be remembered as a great, then he needs to lead Bama to a comeback win.

Utah came out, and smacked Bama in the mouth in the 1st Qtr. We will see just what type of character this Bama team has.

1/2/09

kantwistaye

1	As dumb as this may sound, I think Utah needs points here just to get some momentum back.

1/2/09

SoCalSmokinOkie

1	that hyped SEC defense was certainly on display in the first half, huh. Florida is overrated based on what I just watched, having to come from behind in Q4 to beat this Bama squad. Go UTES!!!!

1/2/09

AndiLee0388

1	(Edited by AndiLee0388) Dang the SEC teams are just awful this year arent they??? BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!

1/2/09

AndiLee0388

1	GO BAMA!!!!

1/2/09

Pat

1	AndiLee0388 wrote: GO BAMA!!!! Go Utes!

1/2/09

kantwistaye

1	That drive was huge for Utah.

1/2/09

phillydeac4life

The biggest mistake Bama is currently making is trying to kick 48 and 49 yard field goals. Van Tiffen is not the greatest kicker in the world, and should not be trying ones that long on a regular basis (I can understand if the game is on the line, or end of half). I am surpised that Bama just did not punt the ball, pin Utah deep in their own side of the field, and play field position. The problem with kicking the FG is that if you miss it, not only does Utah have great field position, but even if you do stop them, then you will get the ball back deep in your side of the field. It is tough for Bama to drive 80 yards down the field for a TD against Utah's D

1/2/09

kantwistaye

1	Utah doesn't necessarily need points on this drive, but if they can take 4 or 5 minutes off the clock it might be over.

1/2/09

kantwistaye

2	GAME OVER. Utah - National Champs!

1/2/09

Pat

1	Well... that fumble means the game is pretty much over.

1/2/09

kantwistaye

4	Also... give us a playoff system already.

1/2/09

sharapovasthigh

1	kantwistaye wrote: Also... give us a playoff system already. Bingo.

1/2/09

kantwistaye

1	Haha... Utah goes with the Boise State throwback... quite fitting.

1/2/09

Pat

4	Utah was extremely impressive in this game. They were winning convincingly wire to wire, and didn't need to resort to trick plays like Boise State did when they beat Oklahoma. this was an extremely legit win by the Utes. They are the better team, period. And of course, as I'm typing this, they run a trick play. But the game was already over anyway.

1/2/09

kantwistaye

To add on to Pat's point a bit.... There was only one time when it looked like Alabama might make this a game and that was when it was 21-17. Utah, just like an elite team would, went down the field and scored to make it 28-17. From there on out it was over. The thing that makes this Utah team so different from the other Utah team and Boise State is that they have a legitimately good defense. 17 points ties the least amount of points that Alabama has scored all year, and Bama plays in a conference that is supposed to be defensively superior to all other conferences.

1/3/09

smokinhaas14

1	This is why College Football needs a playoff system plain and simple, this is the 2nd time that I know of that a team goes undefeated and does not win the National Championship, The BCS is a sham !

1/3/09

kantwistaye

smokinhaas14 wrote:

This is why College Football needs a playoff system plain and simple, this is the 2nd time that I know of that a team goes undefeated and does not win the National Championship, The BCS is a sham !

Heck the last time Utah went undefeated there were 3 BCS bowl winners who were undefeated. However, clearly this Utah team is much better than the '04 Utah team. Its a shame that for nothing other than bias they won't have thee chance at holding up that crystal ball.

1/3/09

smokinhaas14

kantwistaye wrote:

and just think the head coach of that '04 Utah team is doing what this year, coaching Florida in the National Championship game

1/3/09

Marshall

1	So I think its about time the NCAA considers maybe making the Mountain West a BCS conference

1/3/09

smokinhaas14

0	Marshall wrote: So I think its about time the NCAA considers maybe making the Mountain West a BCS conference actually I think it is time the NCAA did away with the BCS hog wash and just install a playoff system

1/3/09

Jubanator14

2	kantwistaye wrote: Haha... Utah goes with the Boise State throwback... quite fitting. I gotta admit, the hook and ladder made me smile and then frown, but then chuckle.

1/3/09

halj

1	Aside from the 13 and 0 thing, I have now watched all contenders play, and in my humble rolltide opinion, UTAH just won the national championship. Oh, and the BCS sucks, as always.

1/3/09

kantwistaye

0	Jubanator14 wrote: I gotta admit, the hook and ladder made me smile and then frown, but then chuckle. And now Oklahoma is off the hook (and ladder.)

1/3/09

Heyhey1970

1	I just finished watching the press conferences. I love how Nick Saban started by focusing on his missing offensive linemen. Like an SEC school wouldn't naturally have more depth than a school like Utah. The fact is they were outplayed. It was a joy to watch.

1/3/09

Poli_

0	unbelieveable - and now to call up some Bama friends - UTES U B-U-T!

1/3/09

CowboyRockStar

All I can say is that this is a reason why I don't watch that much college football. The BCS is BS, unless of course you root for a team in the BCS Conference. Utah COULD have kicked the crap out of any team out there. I emphasize COULD.....it would have been great to see them have a CHANCE to contend for the title.....but no.......how has this BCS system lasted so long? This system is just as bad as the NASCAR Chase for the Cup system....."let's try and punish the guy who has been winning all year and find a way for him to not get the credit that they deserve". What's up with NASCAR and college football???!!!