Sugar or Fiesta?

The undefeated Utah Utes will find out tonight when the Bowl Championship Series reveals its pairings.

"The opponent is going to be top drawer, no matter which way we go," said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham. "So it doesn't matter. Let's get the opponent lined up and let's go."

After Saturday's championship games in the Southeastern and Big 12 conferences, the Utes' list of probable opponents have likely been reduced to Alabama in the Sugar Bowl or Texas in the Fiesta Bowl.

"We are going to prepare to play the best opponent the Utes have ever faced in over one-hundred years of football," said offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig. "Whoever it's going to be, we know they're going to be a very good football team."

And the Utes, he added, will be ready.

They'll return to the practice field on Wednesday as one of just two unbeaten teams in the nation. Boise State is the other.

"We're going to do what made us 12-0 and try to be focused, prepared and execute at the highest level we have all year, " Ludwig said.

It's an approach that has paid off all season long and put the Utes in position for a second trip to the BCS in five seasons. In January of 2005, they defeated Pittsburgh, 35-7 in the Fiesta Bowl.

"It's just a great experience and one that is very memorable," Whittingham said. "I'm just excited our players have the opportunity to do it again."

Quarterback Brian Johnson, who was a true freshman on Utah's first BCS team, knows the Utes will face a greater challenge this time around.

"It doesn't matter who it is," Johnson said. "We know we are going to play a very good team, and we have to be ready."

Waiting to find out who it is, however, has required tremendous patience by some of the players.

"It's been killing me ever since the BYU game," said linebacker Stevenson Sylvester, who added he is tired of guessing about who the Utes will play.

The junior is not alone.

"I can't wait for them to announce it. I just can't wait. I'm really eager to see who we play so I can start my film study. That's a big key for me," said senior cornerback Brice McCain. "I don't care at all (who we face). I just want to play. I want to play against a good team and get respect around here. That's all I want to do."

As the first two-time BCS buster, Utah will be in the national spotlight regardless of its destination. It comes with the territory.

Location, location, location doesn't mean a lot.

"We have no preference. We're just excited to find out where and who," Whittingham said when asked if the Utes cared about which bowl invites them. "We're just very anxious, very curious and anxiously awaiting the announcement.

Players, coaches, athletic department officials and Crimson Club brass will join family and friends at a private gathering at Rice-Eccles Stadium to watch the BCS Selection Show on Fox.

Projecting the BCS

Today, 6 p.m.

TV: Ch. 13

Radio: 700AM

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E-mail: dirk@desnews.com