Outland Trophy winner and projected top five pick Andre Smith was suspended for the Jan. 2 Sugar Bowl by Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban after Saban said Smith had violated unspecified team rules.

Utah's athletic director, Chris Hill, announced on Monday that Whittingham and Utah have agreed to a new contract that will pay the 15-year coach $6 million over the next five years.

Whipple and Warburton both put up career highs and the Utes got their second straight victory over a Pac-10 opponent, beating USC 87-77.

Luka Drca, the Runnin' Utes starting point guard, has been suspended for two games for intentionally tripping Oklahoma center Blake Griffin in the second half of Saturday's Ute loss.

Utah's offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig has been named as Kansas State's newest offensive coordinator, according to a release issued by Kansas State on Wednesday.

It is going to be a tough challenge for Utah to pound away at 'Bama's immense defense. However, offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig is just as concerned with the overall speed of the defense as he is with the size of it.

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.

Whether Alabama comes prepared or not, Utah has already begun to use the wave of doubt as a wet rock, and Utah's four-inch steel blade won't be the only thing that's sharp come Jan. 2.