I cant' believe it-A well thought out, against the grain posting by 100%.  I couldn't agree more, well said. 

I don't hop on the mid major bandwagon too quickly, but it was clear tonight that Utah is a damn good team.  They were far more impressive against Bama tonight than Florida was in the SEC title game.  Utah now has wins over Alabama, Oregon State, TCU, and BYU.  Like it or not, these guys are for real, and because of the ridiculously stupid system we have, they now have a legitimate claim to the national title.  Hopefully the AP does the right thing and names them their national champion.

Edit: Also, I couldn't have been more wrong in this blog.

hell yeah

Let me say this first  HAHAHA Suck East Conference ,100% Utah should be the National champs, sad truth is they will probably end the year 3rd in the nation

If they go undefeated next year? Theres your champ next year

Now can Utah schools get the respect they deserve? if the A.P. dosen't name Utah as National champs, it's proof that the system is FLAWED down with the B.C.S. bullsh*t  and lets have some frickin' PLAYOFFS!!!!

Great game against Alabama.  Nationally the best team?  I don't know...

this is their second time going undefeated and winning a BCS game, how many times do they have to go undefeated before they get respect?

The BCS was busted again. Thanks to Utah, maybe we'll get the much needed overhaul to this system of determining the best team. Aside from the winner of the National Championship game, Texas (assuming they beat Ohio St), USC and Utah all have some argument to be ranked #1.

I've been on the Texas bandwagon all year long, but let's wait until they play their bowl game before saying they should be #1.  They need to take care of business first.

They have to join the SEC. Sad, but probably true.

No doubt about it. I agree. But since the Big 10 is 1-5 in Bowl games, my money is on the 'Horns. (Geez...I hope this isn't a jinx).

Am I the only one who thinks that Boise State and Utah would make excellent additions to the Pac-10, which would also give them a conference championship game. That would be outstanding.

No kidding.  I'm a Big 10 homer, but for the good of college football I hope Texas destorys Ohio State.

The thing is, right now the Pac 10 is one of only two BCS conferences with a truly legitimate conference champ because every team plays each other.  I'd hate to see that ruined.  A conference title game doesn't really settle anything (see Big 12 or ACC this year), except bring in more money for the conference.

I don't want to get carried away here, anointing Utah--that would be just another opinion, of which there are already way too many. USC, Texas, OU, Florida, Utah are all really good teams. Voting is no way to determine a winner, other than a political election--which, by the way, is not determined by polling the pundits or using a computer. No one would argue that the Phillies were the "best" team in baseball last year, but they did win the World Series fair and square. The "best" team does not always win the NCAA B-Ball torunament. Fact is. there never are "best" teams, just "winning" teams, and they are not the same thing. The BCS would actually have been OK for determining the 8 teams to go into a playoff, but not for anything further. Thereafter, seven games in different "bowls"--4, then 2, then 1 would have given us a real "winner" not a "best" team.

So if Oregon State had beaten Oregon, they would have been a "truly legitimate conference champ", despite the fact that they opened the season with a conference loss to Stanford and lost 2 other games as well?

If a playoff creates a legitimate national champ, then wouldn't a conference championship game create a legit conference champ, since each team within the division plays each other, and the best in each division face off?

I realize there are times (like the Big 12 this year) where the system gets convoluted. But in the vast majority of cases, it works out well.

Fair enough.  I'm stuck halfway between tradition and wanting change because I want the change but know it'll never happen.  That and I've never been a huge fan of conference championship games.  That said, if thats what it takes to get us a playoff I'm all for it.

Pac 10 doesn't always have every team play each other....Utah and BSU would be a great addition. At the very least I would like to see BSU move to the MWC and maybe they would pull out the magic wand and make  the MWC  BCS eligible.

If the Left Tackle plays its a different game...but Utah still ekes it out

AHHHHH  man at least give a couple of days Before we pull out the what ifs and the Alabama beats them 9-10 times talk. I'm having Ou Boise flash backs already

There should be no "what ifs" with this game.  Utah straight up dominated Alabama.  No one player was going to make the difference.

I agree with the domination...but the Best Left Tackle in college football keeps them off JPW a little longer than the Schlubs they had in there

1. Andre Smith the best Lineman in in the country did not play because he was a dumbass.  Bama allowed 17 sacks all year.  I believe Utah had 7 sacks in this game.  Is that just by luck.... Also, it was the 1st time all season Bama did not rush for at least 100 yards.   The LT is the most important position (assuming it is the QBs blind side) on offense behind the QB.

2. Mike Johnson who moved over to LT got hurt in the 1st qrt, and Bama had a true freshman at LT 

3.  I have no idea why we tried kicking three 48 to 50 yard FGs.  Yeah, we made one, but it would have made more sense to punt the ball, and place Utah deep in their own part of the field.

 Sorry to make excuses, but some major factors that should be looked at.  In 2005, Bama started the season 9-0, and one of their senior guards had a season ending injury at MIss St.  Next two games against LSU and Auburn, Brodie (QB then) did not have time to even look at the field, and resulted in 2 losses.

Does Andre Smith play defense too? 

Andre Smith is the best Lineman in the country, arugably the best player in the country when you compare how dominate he is at his position to the other best players at their postition.  Here is a stat for you.  Bama allowed 17 sacks all year in 13 games.  Tonight they allowed 7 sacks.  

Ah an Auburn fan.  What Bowl Game did you go to this year?  I cant seem to remember. 

Excuses are sorry......One player should never be that big of a difference at any position ....especially when you have recruiting classes like Bamma's every year. For schools like Utah , Boise , and many other smaller programs one player is simply part of the greater whole and no matter how good they are can be replaced and the TEAM would still have success. Football is a TEAM sport remember. Oregon won their bowl game with a Qb that wasn't even on the depth chart at the beginning of the year, and after the great year he had might not even start next year.

no...but the game's outcome is different with him.  And thats the bottom line.  Fumbles and sacks and short fields matter.  I am not making excuses for anyone...I could care less.  I bet the OVER...WINNER!!!

Oh this is so rich here.  whatever helps you sleep at night I suppose.  Not too long ago Bama was in the same situation....

 

Why the crap talking?  I was just reminding you that not having Andre Smith isn't the only reason Bama lost tonight.  Utah was better on offense, defense, special teams & Whittingham coached circles around Saban.  I would also contend that Bama's backup OT should be infintely better than Utah's starting DL.  Point is give Utah credit for a job well done.

*edited for language*

You realize that Bama just got off of NCAA sanctions only 2 or 3 years ago.  Bama had twenty-one scholarships over a three year period taken away starting in 2002. For example, this year their were only 9 scholarship seniors, let me repeat that 9 scholarship seniors. The program is just now recovering from the sancitions, and should start to be able to "reload" at positions within a few years. 

Finally, someone that understands how the game was altered by Smith not playing.

I am not saying Bama would have won if Smith played.  I am saying the game would have been a lot different.  Bama's offense is built to run the ball, and control the clock.  Tonight, Bama rushed for 33 yards on 31 attempts.  That should send a red flag right there.  My point is that it would have been a different game if Smith played.  Would Bama have won the game? I don't know, but I do know the game would have been played differently on all sides of the ball for both Bama and Utah.

Here we go....Boy I hear this everyday 12-2 PM Mon.-Fri....Wake me up when you've got new material.

Also please let us all know when probation isn't a valid excuse anymore.  It'll be interesting to hear when it's finally passed.  Probation didn't seem to be a problem when Bama was BEATING Clemson, Ole Miss, Kentucky, Georgia & Auburn.  So why is it a problem now? 

And besides probation is suppossed to hurt the program.  If you don't like it then don't cheat. 

All valid points but take off the Crimson Colored Glasses for a minute.  You don't take away one of the best players in the country & not expect a drop off.  However Smith wasn't in the secondary nor was he out there missing field goals.  Sure it would have been different.....But it wasn't.  Utah did what great teams do & they seized the situation.  Bama did what great teams don't do, they didn't adjust. 

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???!!!

Well soonertimein08 here. After watching Utah not only beat Bama, no let's say dismantle a team that was ranked #1 in the nation for what how many week's. Bama took the cocky over rated team into a game they thought, they would easily roll over in Utah.. "SURPRISE" before they could snap there helment's on. They were down 21-0 to a team they had no "RESPECT" for. They should of thrown in a film of the OU vs Boise State game while preparing for this game. Then they may have realize. That you may be the BIG DOG, but it is the fight in the Little Dog that just might put you in your place. This show's two thing's that really should be considered. #1. The BCS is set up for giving no respect to the smaller conferance's. If ever there was a team that did everthing possible on both side's of the ball Utah did it to Bama last night. They got to the Bama QB more time's than any team did all year. Then throw in the fact of the other ranked team's they beat. So take the BCS and there computer and there formula. Put it in a box, cover it in cement and drop it in the deepest part of the ocean. Because in the final BCS calculation's this year. When the number's were put in. It came up with the same result and that was a rematch of Oklahoma and Texas. So they tweek it and come up with Oklahoma and Florida as #1 and #2.  it doesn't take a Genuise to figure out with no computer involved, it is time for a play -off system to be put into place. Then you won't have a Pete Caroll and USC saying. We can beat any team in the Nation right now. WRONG. I can say with not having to even think about it. It could of been Oklahoma, Florida, Texas or Pete's USC Team on that field last night against Utah and Utah would of still walked away the winner. I realize there are two team's 12-1 playing for the BCS Championship and UCS doing everthing possible to state, no BEG there case were the Best. Well Pete I will say it. I'm a Pete Hater. "Go Blow you Horn to some one that care's" It's a toss up between the Big 12 and SEC who is the Best conferance this year. Not the Crap 10. But the Best team in the Nation was on the field last night and walked away as the only team this year 13-0. USC mentioned that there team could beat anyone in the Nation Right Now. I DON"T THINK SO! But with no Play-Off, No Way to prove it. That and when you have one of the easiest schedule's in conferance play with the like's of  Washington and Washington State. Get real. I'm sure that either the SEC or the Big 12 would be glad to have you in there conferance. But I bet my house, my land and every dime I got. If it were offered to you. You wouldn't want any part of it. Blow your Horn. But you would do it. So no matter who win's the BCS Championship. Be it Oklahoma or Florida. They still have lost a game and then there is Utah 13-0 that did everthing possible this year to and did go undefeated. I bleed Sooner Blood. But when it all said and done. Utah has my Vote as #1. Yes one more thought. Hey Pete. Take your Mighty Trojen's and play a Bowl game out side of you home field the Rose Bowl. Florida shouldn't have the game played in there home state. That's as neutral as Oklahoma having to Play in Texas every year. That's all I have to say Like it or Love it. But HAT'S OFF to the Utah Ute's standing Tall and 13-0. You have my vote. Great season and what away to end it. Congrad's to the Player's, Coach's, Trainer's everyone that did there job on and off the field for the Ute's. soonertimein08. Well I can say this. It was UtahTimein08

They've got my vote.  


Utah manhandled Bama from beginning to end.  Would Andre Smith had made a difference?  Sure.  But you have to give credit to Utah.  They have a damn good team and they earned every bit of respect they deserve last night.  That's all I have to say about that.

*Carries on with cramming my head back up my ass now*

 This was a well fought game, there have been alot of upsets in these bowl games. I think it's wonderful seeing the experts fooled once in a while like this. It proves that it doesn't matter who is the better team on paper if you don't execute when the game comes around.

Those kids they had in there were not "schlubs" they were 4 and 5 star recruits at a top football program, they were however playing out of position and had severely underestimated the speed off of the edge of the Utes.  Utah played the better game, had the better game plan and in their QB one of the most underrated players in FBS football.  On the Subject of Smith he is a great talent, quite the best run blocking LOT in college football and has only  allowed 7 sacks in 38 games, however he has struggled at times against  elite level speed.  Would he have helped yes, would he have completely changed the flow of the game?  I think the game might have been 7-10 points closer, tops.

 

Who has Smith struggled against?  He only allowed one sack all season.

If I had a vote in the AP, my vote for #1 would go to Utah. Why not? They've done enough IMO. The need for a playoff has never been stronger than this year.

I said this last night to my gf. Utah should be NC. with a performance like that over an Alabama team that some people thought still had a grievance to be in the NCG. I'm still shocked about this game.

From what I saw last night, the suspension wouldn't have mattered that much. You saw guys on Bama's QB all night, flying around the field and making plays, and on both sides of the ball appearing to be the more dominant team. Utah looked like a national championship team playing against a national quality opponent. The fact that they are undefeated only asserts this even further in my eyes( and obviously a lot of others as well). I am not an SEC backer, nor do I prefer a playoff right now( see jkmilliken's article on playoffs), but I have felt in my opinion all year up until bowl season have been USC, Florida, Oklahoma, and Alabama. I think Florida has to completely destroy Oklahoma for me to give them a national championship over Utah. The real question after bowl season is in the human polls, will Ole Miss and Utah continue to be disrespected because they aren't traditional powers? We need a more level playing field across D1 college football until a playoff can be taken seriously by true football fans.

Before this game you would have argued with anyone the fact that in every position top to bottom including backups, Bamma had more talent and was a better team. Now that it is over that is your argument to why Bamma lost. Admit to yourself that maybe just maybe Utah was the better team and maybe just maybe the SEC isn't the only conference playing in college football.

Um... He was asking if they could beat USC Florida or Oklahoma. What about the number 2 team in the nation as stated by the unbiased computers???

bottom line: they need a playoff and until then this will never be solved. and it aint gonna happen so to that i say i dont care anymore about college football

i agree totally with u Pat.plus,it would be so great to be able to laugh my ass off after watching Boise St and/or Utah not only joining the pac-10 but beating the hell outta Usc.those 2 teams would be a definite up side to the overall weakness to the pac-10

Absolutely, I totally agree with you. It's time teams like Utah got the respect they deserve!

You are right no one player could have saved them but it sure would have given them a better shot. Lets be serious here as well that Bama team was not the same team that almost ran the table in the SEC until they lost to Florida. They were flat and played with no since of urgency or pride.

I am not trying to take anything away from the Utes they are a hell of a football team, and have a legit argument but until the system is changed to include a playoff or they get into a better conference I think they are were they belong. I hate the BCS as much as the next guy but it is the system we have and within the rules of said system just because(Listen closely Pete Carroll) you are one of many teams who can beat any one at any given time is not enough to get you in you have to take into account all the variables and the Utes due to their conference come up short.

I believe that Pat had the best solution to this problem which would also help USC until the powers to be finally wise up and give us a playoff system.

Here we go again.

How can anyone defend the BCS after this?  This year has proven that going undefeated, head to head, and strength of schedule just don't matter. 

We are all very up-to-date and Utah's accomplishment thanks to this article.  I believe Pat wrote an article about how both Utah and Boise State had a more impressive resume than Bama.  And how can anyone forget the Texas/Oklahoma debacle? 

We hear the thickheads on ESPN (even though their r more than a few who r quite vocal in their opposition of it) and other media outlets argue for the BCS, yet year after year, the thankless BCS undoes their very arguments.  If this isn't the final nail in the coffin, then perhaps the thousands of empty seats in the stadiums of these bowls (even higher profile games) should.  If it were the NFL, those games would be blacked out. 

Congratulations Utah Utes!  The undisputed National Champions of College Football!!!

1.  You should have read all of my posts on this thread before taking one comment, and twisting it around to meet your needs.

2.  Since you did not read my previous posts, I stated that the game would have been played differently if Smith started the game.  First, Utah blitzed and blitzed the left side in the 1st Qtr, until Mike Johnson who moved to LT got hurt.  Then, the RT moved to LT to replace Johnson, and a True Freshman went to RT.  Guess what, Utah started blitzed the rest of the game from all sides of the line because now both sides are weakened.  Second, and I will repeat this for a 3rd time, Alabama allowed 17 sacks in the previous 13 games.  They allowed 7 against Utah.  Uh, Red Flag.  Utah had a good defense, but Bama went up against the top defenses week in and week out in the SEC.  Was Utah's defense just that great, or was something wrong with Bama's O Line?

Here is another fact, Bama was held to 52 rushing yards on 34 attempts, the 1st time that Bama was held to under 100 rushing yards since Saban came to Bama.  Again, is Utah that great of a defense, or is something wrong with Bama's O Line?

Yes, I admit (go and read the Game Thread for the Sugar Bowl) that Utah came out, and smacked us in the mouth in the 1st quarter.  Not only did Utah score 1 TD before Bama realized what happened, they scored 3.  The beauty of Utah's offense is that not only can they run the spread, they can line it up and play smashmouth football if they want to.  Their defense is very physica.  Brian Johnson is probably the most underrated QB this season, he completed close to 70% of his passes. He led an undeafted team, but probably less than 20% of the people watching the game last night knew his name coming into the game.  Also, Freddie Brown recieved no attention this year, despite catching 77 balls for 900 yards and 7 TDs, and was the key reciever in Utah's spread offense.  Trust me, I understand Utah is a great team. The Mountain West had some of the best games on the .VS Channel this year with TCU, BYU, Air Force and Utah all playing each other.

Now I don't expect you to understand the philosphy of Alabama Football, but here it is in a nutshell.  Run the ball to both setup the pass, but more importantly control the clock, and keep the other offense off the field.  Their defense is built to stop the run, and get pressure on the QB to disrupt the passing game to create turnovers.  Together the offense and defense work together, and play sometimes play a field position game.

OK, now to your points.  "You would have argued with anyone the fact that in every position top to bottom including backups, Bamma had more talent and was a better team".  Uh hello, is your brain working?  Didn't I just state over and over that Utah's D Line and Linebackers destroyed Bama's O Line.  Also, if you read my previous posts, you would have read that Alabama is recently just off of sancations (Lost 23 scholarships over a 3 year period starting in 2002).  Alabama within the couple of years have been able to rebuild their program.  I would be a moron to state that Bama's starters and backups are better than Utah's starters due to the latter. 

As for your comments about realizing the SEC isn't the only conference in College Football.  Why don't you read my blog posts for this Bowl Season.  One of them discussed some of the best "Pre New Years" matchups, 1 SEC school was discussed in the conclusion, and it was Vandy/BC matchup.  Not your typical SEC School.  Futhermore, I did a follow up to it, and wrote an article that looked at the Best "Pre New Years" Games after they were played.  Guess what?  Not one SEC school was mentioned.  I got another surpise for you.  My dad played Football at Wake Forest.  So, I guess that would mean I know there are other conferences besides the SEC considering I went to God knows how many ACC Games growing up.  My eyes are open.  However, I don't think that your brain is even working, let alone your eyes open.  You remind me of the Nelson from the Simpsons.  When someone's team looses, you point at them, and say "Ha Ha". 

take away the automatic bids from the b i g six to give these little school a shot. they better than the big ten, acc, and big east combine. why do we need the bcs 4 these school got enough $to set up a game by themselves and could sell it to any network they like for any price

utah should be in the national championship cuz niether florida or oklahoma could say that they went undefeated only utah

Hey Pat I took Utah over Bama also. So there were to smart people out here. and I agree add Utah and Boise State to the "CRAP 10" and see where USC end's up each year. Good call Brother. soonertimein08

ya the 5-0 in bowl games Crap 10  

Hey all I'm writing from Salt Lake and just thought I'd throw a few things out there. First off it's nice to see that some teams know how to lose with class. That being said I expected more from Alabama. As far as missing Smith goes... Yes he's a big player for bama but certainly not the whole team and doesn't do anything for the defense. Secondly being in a BS oops I mean BCS conference you get a lot better recruits and a lot more money for recruting. Out here in Utah we'd be lucky to get your bench warmers to sign up so that's a lame excuse. All throughout the last few weeks I've been hearing "real football is played in the South", "Bama is too big, fast, and physical", "Playing Utah is a slap in the face", "Non BCS teams like Utah don't deserve to play a real team", "I didn't know Utah even had a football team", "What the hell is a Utes?", "This is going to be a repeat of the Hawaii Georgia game", etc... (there's many more but I wont waste that much time to make a point). I guess what I'm getting at is this: a little respect goes a long ways and make your words soft and sweet you never know when you'll have to eat them. Real football is real football no matter where it's played not just in the SEC. I will say good on all the Bama fans for giving props where it's do. Classy thing to do that many fans won't do. To all the USC fans, your team is good but they aren't the best. They did lose to Oregon St. (who the Utes beat the following week). I have no problem calling the pac 10 the crap ten. Look at their record against the MWC this year. The BCS has been busted again by the Utes and they won their bowl game again yet no NC. What a load of crap. What else needs to be done to make things fair?

Utah deserved to be playing for the Natl Championship.  Great win by a great team.

Hey Hart, I'm not jumping on you I just wanted point out that you said due to all the variables and the conference the Utes play in (Mountain West) they can't be considered...Why not? They, in my mind did every single thing they possibly could to win the National Championship. ////////////////////First they went undefeated. I know you (as was I) had to have been FURIOUS when Auburn was shut out of the NC a few years ago when all they did was go undefeated in one of the toughest conferences in college football.////////////////////////////////////// Before I get into their conference let's look at hteir out of conference games: First up: AT THE BIG HOUSE in Ann Arbor. Obviously I can't defend Michigan BUT please consider that as the first game of the season they had the guts to schedule, at the time when the agreement was made, was a powerhouse team. They did what every single critic of college football says you should do: schedule a "big time" school. They agreed to go on the road and at the time could never have forseen such a dismal decline of Michigan's once proud history. Next out of conf game was vs. in state rival Utah State (member of the WAC). I really can't defend USU, they were awful, but Utah St. did beat Hawaii who in turn hung with Big East champ Cincy and Florida (for a quarter) before losing. Eh, what can you do? You have to play in state rivals. Next is Weber St. This is the only ammo anyone can use against Utah. Weber State is another in-state rival, but unfortunately they play in the Bowl subdivision(formerly 1-AA) The Utes only beat them 37-21 However, FIVE DAYS later they hosted an Oregon State team that had just defeated the mighty Southern Cal with a full SEVEN DAYS rest 31-28. The coup de grace was what you witnessed on Friday night: An Alabama team that had surprised and then impressed most college football experts. Did the Tide miss Andre Smith? Absolutely. Would Utah have lost if he had played. Heck no. He doesn't play defense. What more could Utah have done non conference wise? Not schedule Weber State? Maybe. But could Weber State beat a really crappy BCS conference school? I say yes. Texas A&M, Washington, Syracuse I'm looking at you.

Something worth considering... Utah and Texas were scheduled to play this year, but Urban Meyer cancelled the series back in the day.  A win for either team may've pushed them into the national title game.

GREAT INFO!...I wish I could hit the smart button more than once. Well done sir! May have? I think no doubt it would have in event of either outcome.

As with anything dealing with Hundreds of Millions of dollars it's going to take the stakeholders: TV networks, the NCAA, BCS conferences and the current bowl committees will have to redivide the pie.  Remember money is the reason we don't have a playoff yet.  If it can be proven that a 4, 8, or 12 team tournament will make even more money than the current system, then you will see playoffs.

As always I LOVE anything that makes the BCS look bad,  I was hoping 3 or 4 teams would go undefeated and be shut out.  I hope non-BCS schools split off and declare there own champions.  The resulting boxing-like chaos- [IBF,WBA, WBC, WBO, etc] might force a change.

I agree they tried it just wasn't,t enough. if Michigan wasn't well how do you say a joke it might have got them over the hump,.which would have been fine with me even though it would be them and OU and I would be pissed. I personally don't give much credit to the Oregon state win. With the exception of USC, and I know they beat USC, the rest of the Pac 10 is as good or even a little worse then the MW. As far as the Bama win it was A great win but after the fact. INHO the Utes have a complaint when it comes to the need of a playoff system. They just did not do enough to get into the NC game over UF, OU, Texas, USC due to the way the current system is set up. I think you might have misunderstood me I hate the BCS it is unfair to every team but the two that get in, but it is the system we have and based on that system the Utes are where they belong. Unfair as that is it is the way it is. Unfortunately this wont be enough to get a playoff system. The powers to be will tweak the crap more and do the plus one system or something like that, which will solve some problems and make a bigger mess out of others.

And just for the record  if the AP votes them #1 I am OK with that they deserve it.

While there are some impressive numbers: the 1 sack season, his size and strength 6'3.6" 334, 5.29  40 time, many pancake blocks etc, however despite the fact that Smith's power and straight ahead speed that are both close to elite levels, there are still weakness especially apparent on the coaches tape of  2 games  Auburn  and  even more so  the  Florida game.  

Not allowing sacks and pancake blocks are impressive but only a portion of evaluating a potential Left Offensive Tackle.  He is excellent in the 'phone booth'  and handles bodies headed right at him with  no trouble.  If he locks on he finishes and is rarely beaten by the 1st move.  He has trouble with striking moving targets on the run and redirecting against counter moves. 
The 330+pound Smith has the size, athletic ability and strength of an top 10 pick, but he is still a little bit inconsistent, and highly athletic speed rushers can give him problems. Florida's defensive coordinator Charlie Strong did an excellent job of exploiting these weaknesses by frequently stunting his defensive ends inside and then blitzing off the edge. I would like to note that at times, Smith adjusted well.

One example, on second-and-9 from the Florida 32-yard line early in the second quarter Smith keeps his head up, slides outside and stops S Will Hill in his tracks after Hill blitzes off the edge. Other times, Smith appears to guess. On the very next play, Gators RDE Carlos Dunlap lines up opposite Smith and shoots inside at the snap. Smith collapses inside with Dunlap just as Spikes and Hill blitz off the edge, leaving both with a clear path to QB John Parker Wilson. Spikes and Hill close quickly and Wilson cannot step into his throw, leading to an incomplete pass. Smith isn't responsible for both players, but he should have passed Dunlap off to LG Mike Johnson and picked up Spikes, which would have forced Hill to take a wider angle to the quarterback. Making matters worse for Smith, Spikes' initial quickness and athletic ability clearly gave him problems when the two lined up opposite one another. The notable instance led to Wilson's only interception of the game. On a first-and-10 from the Alabama 32-yard line with less than three minutes remaining, Wilson lines up in the shotgun and Spikes times the snap well, using his quickness to get to Smith's outside shoulder before Smith can get set. Smith does get his hands into Spikes' frame and starts to ride him past the pocket but does not move his feet well enough to stay in front, allowing Spikes to turn the corner and force Wilson to get rid of the ball quickly, leading to an interception by Joe Haden. 

Even if he struggles in the individual and agility drills  at the combine it's unlikely Smith could fall lower that around #15 in the 1st round and a good performance keeps him in the top 5, but don't be surprised if Oher outshines him and goes in the top 2 picks and Eugene Monroe is gaining ground also.

I think you're overanalyzing things just a little too much.  He played one game that they had a good game plan and sent 2-3 men at him and he got no help.  He still didn't allow a sack and Bama rushed for 136 yards against a good run defense.

If you think Florida is the only fast defense that Smith faced all season, then you obviously didn't watch much Alabama football.  I don't think a guy that wins the Outland Trophy and is considered by some a top 2 pick in the draft is someone that struggled at any point this season (except judgement calls about talking to an agent).  Just give Utah and Florida credit for doing a good job.  They're is no reason to call one of the best players in the nation overrated because you think you saw a flaw in his game in the one game you watched.

I have either watched every game of his sophomore and junior year or saw the game film and graded him in each and he has never graded out below 88%.  So I think he will be a very solid pro, however he may find his home at RT.  There are plenty of Outland Trophy winners who struggled at the next level.  The job of a scout, as opposed to a fan is to see the flaws in a players game.  Especially a potential Top 5-10 pick who is going to hurt you financially as well as on the field if he has a fairly easily exploited shortcoming. 

So are we to asume you are a pro scout?

I think he's just single or bored.

Check his profile. He writes for a website that focuses on NFL Draft prospects. That might have something to do with it.

Just being the Devils advocate.... just because he writes for a website that is clearly not on the top page list for prospect grading doesnt mean he is close to being a mediocre scout if mediocre at all. "writing" for a website takes a purchase of a domain name and a website making program with a person who has an idea of how to make a website. im just saying... Im not dissing anyone...just playing devils advocate.

I am neither, but I don't sleep much.  And Pat I actually agree that any nattering nabob with time and a couple hundred bucks can post a 'draft site' but I have been at this a while and seen a few come and go.  jjhhealthsouth page list rankings, as you likely know are often based on SEO, and many times the system can be gamed.  We refuse to play that game.  We like our traffic numbers to actually reflect the real level of interest in our site and not out ability to trick the system.  Call us crazy!  

I'm not saying the site is the best ever, or that it instantly makes anyone a website. But I'm saying it might be a reason why he reviews game films.

That being said, I was impressed with the site.

I was kidding.  I come across people all the time who tape every Bama Game & take notes on it & mail them to Nick Saban.  I just found it funny.

The technical term for what I did is 'Bird Dog.' I worked independently  of a single organization providing coverage of smaller conferences to  organizations on demand also locating talents for agents.

Basically you get paid to evaluate talent, that's cool. I meant no disrespect but there are alot of people in here who try to sound like they know what they are talking about when it comes to evaluating talent

 Trust me you don't have to apologize, in 11 or so years since I started the web based part of my career I have heard and seen it all.  I am no genius, just thorough, those who claim to have a "crystal ball" at some point prove that the only "crystal ball" they have is their head, shiny and fragile.  

What is the web site you work with

Some OU fans say we should stop whining because Mack voted Florida 1.

Thats because Brown has honor, and he knowes that even though his team couldve beaten Florida, since Florida won they should probably be voted one.

You're right could have but dont forget you could have lost too. I think it would have been a great game like it was either way.

Using the term honor in this is the worst misuse of it ive ever seen. Just because Mack Brown voted UF number 1 doesnt mean he has honor. It means he didnt do what he said he was going to do. One coach didnt support the BCS and rightfully so. If you were to tell me you wouldnt vote your team who is undefeated, has 4 top 25 wins 2 top 10 wins and no losses to explain. You want to say thats dishonorable?

I never said Utah's coach was dishonerable. I would never say that. He has a great  argument

Nice pic of Frank Zappa

It's just like a penguin in bondage.......

im glad that utah won cause i hate bama