Crimson Tide
Crimson Tide Even with the Utah Utes coming into this year's Sugar Bowl with an undefeated 12-0 record, odds makers are still calling the Alabama Crimson Tide double digit favorites in tonight's game in the Superdome. NCAA betting lines have the Tide at -10 with the total in the contest sitting at 45.5.

There are many challenges facing the Alabama defense in its matchup with Utah. They will have to be prepared for quarterback Brian Johnson and his down the field passing, however, Johnson is not always on the field. There are backup quarterbacks who come in and run and starting running backs that take direct snaps from center and throw.

"They're making us dig deep into our scheme because they present so much," said Alabama cornerback Javier Arenas. "We have to be prepared
for each and every thing. That's what makes our coaching staff great. They prepare us for each situation."

Even with an unbeaten record and such a dynamic offense, with Utah coming out of the Mountain West Conference there are still questions as to whether or not the Utes are for real.

Even Alabama coach Nick Saban seemed to unwittingly sell short Utah's undefeated season when he noted the Tide was the only team to have an unblemished regular-season mark in a "real BCS conference."

This one comes down to this. Alabama is a very good team that went through a touch SEC schedule undefeated, losing only the Conference Title game to Florida, the favorite to win the BCS Championship game next week. Utah is a very good team coming out of a non-BCS conference.

Take Alabama and give the 10 points.