Power vs. speed

NEW ORLEANS

Alabama's trip to New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl got off to a rocky start when All-American offensive tackle Andre Smith was sent home for a violation of team rules.

Coach Nick Saban hopes it ends on a better note tonight when No. 4 Alabama (12-1) takes on No. 7 Utah (12-0) in the Superdome.

Saban, who has guided Alabama to a remarkable turnaround in just his second season, called the Smith situation 'disappointing' on Thursday.

"It's unfortunate that we have circumstances like this," he said. "Everybody has a responsibility to do what's right. Any time anybody violates their Code of Conduct, their principles and values of what is right, and that supersedes nobody, including me, there can be consequences for that."

He followed that saying Smith's absence creates an opportunity.

"We're going to support the players that are playing in the game to do the very best job that they can," he said.

Mike Johnson will slide from his left guard spot to fill Smith's tackle position.

The game features several intriguing matchups. Alabama's defense has allowed opponents 10 points or less in seven of its 13 games, while Utah has scored more than 31 points in half of its games.

"Their quarterback is the key," Saban said of Utah's Brian Johnson, the Mountain West's Offensive Player of the Year. "He's an outstanding player. Great accuracy, athletic, can get away from the rush in the pocket and make plays."

Johnson has thrown 24 touchdown passes, including nine in the past two games.

Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said his quarterback is up to the challenge.

"All he does is win ballgames," Whittingham said. "He is really that guy that makes it all go."

The other key matchup is how well Utah's undersized defense can hold up against Alabama's bruising ground game.

"(Glen) Coffee is an excellent tailback - over six yards a carry. Julio Jones, best freshman receiver in the country," Whittingham said. "But what really makes things go is that offensive front. It's a very impressive group. That's a big challenge for our front seven."

Saban said he is concerned about Utah's defensive quickness.

"It's going to be a challenge for our front," he said.

Alabama has won eight of its previous 12 Sugar Bowl appearances, including 1993 when it beat Miami to claim its last national title. Utah is making its fifth-straight bowl appearance, but is playing in a BCS game for only the second time. In their only other BCS game, Utah beat Pittsburgh 35-7 in the 2005 Fiesta Bowl.

Gregg Dewalt can be reached at 740-5748 or gregg.dewalt@timesdaily.com.