No surprise; Utah Utes invited to face Alabama in Sugar Bowl

When it comes to the Bowl Championship Series, Utah coach Kyle Whittingham says it's even sweeter the second time around.

Sweet as sugar, to be specific.

On Sunday, the seventh-ranked Utes (12-0) were formally invited to face No. 4 Alabama (12-1) in the 75th annual Sugar Bowl, Jan. 2 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans.

"This is a great time for the Utah football program and a great time to be a Ute," Whittingham said after watching the BCS Selection Show with his team, staff and supporters at Rice-Eccles Stadium. "It's exciting stuff."

It's the second time in five seasons that the Utes have garnered an at-large berth in the lucrative BCS. They defeated Pittsburgh 35-7 in the Fiesta Bowl in January 2005.

Utah is making history for the second time. The original BCS busters are now the first team from a non-automatic qualifying conference to breakthrough twice.

Both have come as rewards following seasons without a loss.

"We really couldn't ask for anything better than that. We're just really excited to get down there and play on the big stage," said junior linebacker Mike Wright. "I'm excited. It's a little surreal.

"This is something we worked so hard for all year and to finally be able to get this opportunity is great for us."

The Utes, who will resume on-field practices on Wednesday, are the only undefeated team invited to the BCS this year. They'll face an Alabama team that spent time ranked No. 1 in the nation and didn't lose a game until falling to former Utah coach Urban Meyer and the Florida Gators, 31-20 in the SEC championship game on Saturday.

Whittingham acknowledged he'll be getting in touch with Meyer. The coaches are good friends who speak on a weekly basis.

"Oh yeah, I'll be on the phone tonight to Urban," Whittingham said. "You bet we'll be in close contact. Absolutely."

Whittingham watched the SEC title game and was impressed with the great size and quickness Alabama has on both lines.

"Probably the most physical team in college football," he said.

And that's not all.

Whittingham also took note of the Crimson Tide's power-run attack on offense, talented receiver Julio Jones, a defense that may be the best in the nation and an icon in head coach Nick Saban.

"We have our hands full," he said.

The Utes know it.

"It's going to be a tough opponent," said linebacker Stevenson Sylvester. "So we are going to study hard and come out with our 'A' game."

Defensive end Paul Kruger considers it an "amazing opportunity" to play in a BCS game and have the type of season the team has had.