Twenty days.

It's been a whirlwind week for the Utes. They finished sixth in the Bowl Championship Series standings, learned they're headed to New Orleans to play against Alabama in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 2, returned to practice and prepared to finish final exams.

There's plenty of excitement in the program to face a team the caliber of the Crimson Tide, but the fact remains that there are still 20 long days until the game is actually played.

"It's a long time," said defensive end Paul Kruger. "It's the kind of deal where you keep the mindset where you're coming into the facility every day and going to work. You clear your mind of all the negativity and all the hesitation and do the best you can when you're here."

Coach Kyle Whittingham has eased his players back into workouts this week. He said the full game plan, scouting reports and schemes won't be distributed to his players until next week. The first week of preparation to play Alabama was mostly about getting the Utes back into the swing of things since they were last together in their 48-24 drubbing of BYU on Nov. 22.

Utah will zero in on how it will attack Alabama next week. But that doesn't mean the Utes have taken their workouts lightly so far.

"It starts day one," Kruger said. "We're already running, running plays, getting schemes. If you're going to be here and doing the work, you might as well be the most efficient team you can be."

SAKODA RETURNS: All-American kicker Louie Sakoda was back at practice after attending the ESPN College Football Awards Show in Orlando, Fla., on Thursday night. Sakoda was a finalist for both the Lou Groza Award (nation's top kicker) and the Ray Guy Award (nation's top punter), but he failed to win either prize.

His attendance at Friday's workout was a surprise, as he had little time to rest between the awards show and the practice. He joked that he was running on "granola bars and caffeine pills."

Sakoda said he was disappointed he didn't win the Groza Award, but that he still had a good experience at the show. He received compliments from people such as Florida State coach Bobby Bowden, and he met the person he said is his hero, Florida quarterback Tim Tebow.

"He's a guy I look up to," Sakoda said. "He's the nicest guy. He had people bombard him, but he still took time. If you're an athlete or not, how can you not look up to a guy like him? He's a high-profile guy and he's using that to help in the community and others. That's an example anyone could (follow)."

SMITH PROVIDES OPPORTUNITY: Kruger already knew he'd have his hands full against Alabama left tackle Andre Smith when he faces him in the Sugar Bowl. That thought was confirmed on Thursday night.

Smith was awarded the Outland Trophy, the annual honor given to the nation's top interior lineman. Smith, a junior who allowed just one sack in 13 games this season, could be the top draft pick in next spring's NFL draft if he decides to leave school early.

Kruger sees the matchup as a great opportunity.

"I'm going against a guy that's rated the best offensive tackle in the nation," Kruger said. "That right there for me is huge motivation. This guy has gotten all the accolades, and all the attention. It's a great opportunity for me."

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