Utah held an Alabama ground attack that was averaging 196.5 yards to 31 net yards. So if that’s what gave them all their intensity, then I guess I’m responsible for the way they played and I’m responsible for the way we played.”Īlabama could have used suspended All-America left tackle Andre Smith, but even he might not have been enough to stop an Utah defense that played with speed, ferocity and discipline. We had a tremendous amount of respect for Utah,” Saban said. “I apologize if anybody was offended by that. The comment clearly motivated Utah, much to Saban’s chagrin. 1 in the rankings with a 12-0 regular season, Alabama closed with two consecutive losses, the first against Florida in the Southeastern Conference championship game.įollowing that first loss, Saban noted his club still was the only team to have an undefeated regular season in a “real BCS conference.” Utah’s defense was equally impressive, intercepting John Parker Wilson twice and sacking him eight times, with the seventh sack forcing a fumble that sent crimson-clad Alabama fans streaming for the exits with just more than 5 minutes remaining.Īfter surging to No. When Alabama pulled to 21-17 early in the second half, the Utah declined to wilt. Johnson was 27-of-41 and was not intercepted, and the Utes took charge from the start by bolting to a 21-0 first-quarter lead. The AP, not part of the BCS, awards its own national champion. Utah’s only chance for a piece of the national title – albeit a remote possibility – is The Associated Press poll.
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