Alabama vs Utah 2009 Sugar Bowl

[birminghambook]

Las Vegas Insider opening lines:

Alabama -11
Utah 45.5

I would like to start this thread as an opportunity to share information with each other as we lead up to this game. This IS NOT a bash one team or another thread. This will be for civilized discussion and updated information. I will provide as much insight into the Tide's practices and preparation as I can and I hope some others will do this as well. This may be a good idea for someone to do with each bowl game and could really be a huge help for others to receive local coverage information, injury updates, etc. Again, please only provide good information if responding in this thread.

 

[birminghambook]

Alabama's turnaround from last year to this year started at last year's bowl practices. I know this team is disappointed in losing to the best team in the SEC last night, but I expect them to be focused and ready to play. Alabama's fans travel well and will be very loud in the dome making this essentially a home game. I would expect at least an 80% to 20% fan base split.

 

[Moneyline_Monster]

-11??? Sign me up.

 

[birminghambook]

Alabama will be playing in its first Sugar Bowl since winning the National Championship in 1993.

Alabama's last appearance in a BCS bowl game came after winning the 1999 SEC championship against Florida. Alabama faced Michigan in the Orange Bowl that season.

Alabama is #4 in the BCS and Utah is #2.

Utah played 2 BSC conference teams and won both games by 3 or less. They defeated Michigan 25-23 and then beat Oregon State 31-28.

 

[birminghambook]

Alabama Stats:

RECORD Overall SEC
12-1 8-1

SCORING Pts. Scored Pts. Allowed
405 169

NET YARDS Plays Rush Pass Tot Avg
Team 839 2,554 2,219 4,773 5.7
Avg. 196.5 170.7 367.2

RUSHING Att Yds Avg TD
Team 535 2,554 4.8 32

PASSING PC-PA Pct Yds Int TD Yds/A
Team 177-304 58.2 2,219 7 10 7.3

PUNTING No Yds Avg
Team 57 2,294 40.2

KICKING XP FG Pts
Team 44 19 101

OTHER Pen 2-XP Saf Avg TOP
Team 50-453 2 32:11
__________________________________________________

Utah Stats:


RECORD Overall Mountain West
12-0 8-0

SCORING Pts. Scored Pts. Allowed
449 207

NET YARDS Plays Rush Pass Tot Avg
Team 848 2,021 2,842 4,863 5.7
Avg. 168.4 236.8 405.3

RUSHING Att Yds Avg TD
Team 475 2,021 4.3 23

PASSING PC-PA Pct Yds Int TD Yds/A
Team 252-373 67.6 2,842 9 26 7.6

PUNTING No Yds Avg
Team 51 2,086 40.9

KICKING XP FG Pts
Team 52 21 115

OTHER Pen 2-XP Saf Avg TOP
Team 80-731 2 32:40

(Sorry if this is hard to read.)

 

[The Iz]

Don't forget they played TCU who was 9-1 at the time and ranked #12. Also by 3 points I might add.
Also BYU who was #14 and 10-1 at the time. Beat them 48-24.

I'll take Utah +11 all day.

 

[GE4511]

Do you think that Alabama will be up for this game? That is my online concern, they really wanted to be in the national championship. It was completely different last year with Georgia who felt they got completely shafted. Anyone's thoughts on this game? Is it ever in question that a team will get up for a bowl game?

 

[MajorGCG]

If Bama plays like they did Saturday night they will stomp Utah. The question is will there be a let down? Right now I'm leaning to taking Bama and laying the points.

Utah should have lost to TCU - that idiot kicker missed 3 realtively easy kicks.

 

[birminghambook]

I just saw Olympic has:

Alabama -11
Utah 45

 

[KILLER]

i think it is suppose to be utah -11

 

[ca$hmoney]

i think it is suppose to be utah -11

No, Bama is the favorite.

 

[EveryGamblersDream]

Don't forget they played TCU who was 9-1 at the time and ranked #12. Also by 3 points I might add.
Also BYU who was #14 and 10-1 at the time. Beat them 48-24.

I'll take Utah +11 all day.

Did you watch the game against TCU? They were dominated for about 59 minutes. If they had any sort of legitimate offense, they would have beat them by 3+ scores.

 

[EveryGamblersDream]

i think it is suppose to be utah -11

If you really feel that way, lets wager this one straight up.

 

[bigtendominator]

I think Alabama's size on the lines will wear down Utah. Also, you have to love Saban vs Wittingham. Huge edge UA in that one.

If Brian Johnson get rattled early, it could be curtains.

 

[June_Jones]

as much as i hate alabama, utah will get manhandled in this game and lose by dd. i dont see utah having the personnel to go head to head with bama for 4 quarters

 

[vegashatesme]

If the spread's Alabama -11, then roll tide roll. I'll take that any day.

 

[Rolltideroll]

I think Alabama would have a hard time getting up for Utah if it were this week or if it were in 2 weeks.Hell its hard for me as a fan to get up for as I am still hurting.But this game is in 5 weeks and I am sure by then we will be over this and ready to go.This is a small senior class but they are the leaders and the heart of this team.They will want to go out on a win and get a 13th win,13 win seasons are hard to come by.That would match their all time win total for a season.Something to be proud of.

 

[silver7]

Not A Fan Of Either

I think Alabama would have a hard time getting up for Utah if it were this week or if it were in 2 weeks.Hell its hard for me as a fan to get up for as I am still hurting.But this game is in 5 weeks and I am sure by then we will be over this and ready to go.This is a small senior class but they are the leaders and the heart of this team.They will want to go out on a win and get a 13th win,13 win seasons are hard to come by.That would match their all time win total for a season.Something to be proud of.

But w/Saban as coach I just don't see the "let down" factor a month from now. I like the Tide as one of my top 4 or 5 bowl games. Has anyone seen #'s other than the "Big 5" games? I love KU, hope the LV boys don't realize how slow the GG D still is. Also on TCU.:toast:

 

[Conan]

I think Alabama's size on the lines will wear down Utah. Also, you have to love Saban vs Wittingham. Huge edge UA in that one.

If Brian Johnson get rattled early, it could be curtains.

You don't know what you are talking about if you think Saban is lights out a better coach than Wittingham. That was an ignorant thing to say about Wittingham. You obviously haven't a clue who he is. But the rest is true.

 

[birminghambook]

If you like Utah I would consider making a play now. Recent line moves have been moving towards the Utes:

Pinnacle = Utah +11 -1.26
Greek = Utah +10.5 -1.15

If you like Alabama you may be able to wait and get a more favorable number. Utah is a solid squad and will be very excited about this contest. Alabama may be somewhat disappointed in not playing for the NC and could have a let down. Also, Alabama has a tendency to play up or down to their opponent. Several times this year Alabama lead big in the first half and played very conservative and uninspired in the second half.