The Utes plan to take Sunday off and attend an NFL game in the Superdome featuring the Saints and the Panthers. Both teams have Utah alums. Steve Smith, Jordan Gross and Ma'ake Kemoeatu play for Carolina, and Josh Savage is on the New Orleans roster.

All four players made an appearance at Utah's first practice in Louisiana. In turn, the Utes plan to show their support today.

"It's good opportunity for some guys who have maybe never had a chance to go to an NFL game," said Whittingham, who has some special NFL memories of his own in Louisiana. His father, Fred, played for New Orleans from 1967-69.

"I've always followed the Saints because of the history that he had with them," Whittingham said.

Like his father, the coach also has some professional football ties to the city. He played for the now-defunct New Orleans Breakers of the USFL back in 1984.

Sugar Bowl on the air

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

Jan. 2, 6 p.m.

Louisiana Superdome,

New Orleans

TV: Fox Radio: 700 AM

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E-mail: dirk@desnews.com