No. 6 Utah Utes (12-0) vs. No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide (12-1)
When: Tonight, 8
Where: Superdome, New Orleans
Line: Alabama by 11
TV: FOX
Why you should watch: To see if Utah can make a little bit of history. The Utes, who have a national-best 13-game winning streak, became the first non-Bowl Championship Series team to earn a second berth in a BCS game. In the 2004 Fiesta Bowl, the Utes defeated Pittsburgh, 35-7. But a win over the Crimson Tide will set off an even bigger party. The Utes, led by senior quarterback Brian Johnson, who has thrown for 2,636 yards with 24 touchdowns and rushed for 150 yards and a score, have beat three ranked teams this season.
Alabama, which averages more than 196 rushing yards per game, is led by running back Glen Coffee (1,347, 10 TDs). But the Tide hasn’t needed to throw the ball very much, as senior quarterback John Parker Wilson has thrown for just 2,096 yards with nine touchdowns against six interceptions. Freshman Julio Jones has lived up to expectations with 51 catches for 847 yards with four touchdowns, but there is little depth behind him. The Crimson Tide also will be without All-American left tackle Andre Smith, who was suspended for violating team rules.
Best fact about Utah: The school hosted the Olympic Village and several events during the 2002 games in Salt Lake City.
Best fact about Alabama: Of the 23,878 students enrolled at the school, 76 percent are from Alabama.
Did you know this person went to Utah: Mills Lane, famous television judge and boxing referee.
Did you know this person went to Alabama: Jimmy Wales, co-founder of Wikipedia. Point to Utah — can’t mess with Mills.
Game comes down to: Alabama is ranked just 56 in the country in offense by averaging just 367.2 yards per game and will struggle against Utah’s surprisingly physical defense. But the Tide will have enough Coffee to jump-start it to victory.
Carey predicts: Alabama, 20-17
Bimbo predicts: Alabama
Scoreboard: Carey and Bimbo tied, 11
