"You start the season at Michigan, at the Big House, and you end up playing Alabama in a bowl game," Whittingham said. "I'd say that's a pretty good season. So we're excited about that."

Utah players were all smiles after the official announcement was made. They were given a standing ovation by those in attendance.

"It'll be fun. We're excited about it, obviously. It's a good thing for our program, a good thing for our conference," said quarterback Brian Johnson. "It's healthy for us to get out and play a team that was No. 1 in the country for a very long time this season. It gives us a chance to get some credibility to our program if we go out there and make it happen."

The Utes are on a 7-0 bowl roll, including postseason wins over the past five seasons.

"I have no doubt that our coaches will get us prepared the right way," said kicker/punter Louie Sakoda. "It's just a matter of execution."

Alabama, he acknowledged, will be "an exciting challenge."

Bowl officials agree.

"For the 75th anniversary of the Sugar Bowl, we were hoping to have two great teams and with No. 4 Alabama and No. 6 Utah, we have one of the highest ranked match-ups in a non-championship game in the Allstate Sugar Bowl's history," Sugar Bowl chief executive officer Paul Hoolahan said. "Both of these programs have electrifying star players and outstanding coaches who have proven themselves on the field all season long. We cannot wait to welcome them to town and witness the match-up in this year's Allstate Sugar Bowl."

Utah athletics director Chris Hill is equally enthused.

"I love the fact that we're going to a Sugar Bowl, its 75th anniversary, and a chance to compete against a brand name like Alabama," he said. "I think that speaks well for our program. It's an exciting time."

Although Utah was passed over by the geographically friendly Fiesta Bowl, which will pit Texas and Ohio State, Hill said the folks in Arizona think very highly of the Utes.

"I think they made a decision that was in their best interest,"

Hill said. "We're just thrilled that the Sugar Bowl wanted to take us. They seem happy about it and we're happy about it."

Whittingham agreed. He's especially happy for Utah's veteran players.

"This is a special group of seniors and to have them be able to end their careers in a game with the magnitude the Sugar Bowl has — against an opponent like the Crimson Tide, one of the most storied programs in all of college football — I mean, what more could you ask for," Whittingham said.

EXTRA POINTS: Whittingham has ties to New Orleans. He lived there for three years (fourth, fifth and sixth grade) while his father, Fred, played for the NFL's Saints. Kyle returned in 1985 as a player for the USFL's Breakers ... This will be the first football meeting between Alabama and Utah ... The Utes have already sold 3,000 tickets for the game. The ticket office was open late on Sunday to accommodate additional requests ... More information on ticket packages and U. events in New Orleans can be found on www.utahutes.com.

On the air

Sugar Bowl

Utah (12-0) vs. Alabama (12-1)

Louisiana Superdome

January 2, 6 p.m.

TV: Fox 13; Radio: 700AM

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E-mail: dirk@desnews.com