Ute fans have every reason to loathe Alabama head coach Nick Saban after his statement that Alabama was the only team to go 12-0 in a real Bowl Championship Series conference after his team lost out on its chance to go to the BCS Championship game.

A crucial aspect of Utah's preparation for bowl games and regular season games alike is film study, something Utah defensive end Paul Kruger said the team spends a lot of time on.

Utah has won this ratio in almost every game this year, which has resulted in a successful season. The team is plus-11 on the year in terms of takeaways to giveaways.

The All-Mountain West Conference first-teamer has made immense strides, playing as both a running back and a wide receiver since arriving at the U in 2005 when he spent his freshman season as a redshirt.

The No. 6 Utes are ready to march into the Big Easy against the No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide, a 12-1 team that owned the top spot in college football for five impressive weeks during the season.

No. 6 Utah accepted an invitation to the Allstate Sugar Bowl against No. 4 Alabama on Jan. 2. Tickets went on sale Sunday night after the Utes held their Bowl Championship Series Selection party at Rice-Eccles Tower.

Four years removed from stomping an out-of-place Pittsburgh team in the Fiesta Bowl, the Utes are back in the Bowl Championship Series. This time the go-around won't be as easy.

Kalani Sitake's promotion to U defensive coordinator was announced minutes after head coach Kyle Whittingham spoke about Utah's selection to play against No. 4 Alabama in New Orleans.

Defensive coordinator Gary Andersen, who has been with the Utes since 2005, has accepted the head coaching position at Utah State.

Quarterback Brian Johnson was named Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Year, Louie Sakoda was named MWC Special Teams Player of the Year and Kyle Whittingham was named the league's Coach of the Year as Utah cleaned up nicely in the conference's year-end awards.