Utah Utes football: Coaches happy with teams' prep

NEW ORLEANS — Utah coach Kyle Whittingham and Alabama coach Nick Saban held their final pregame press conferences Thursday morning. Between sessions they posed for pictures with the Sugar Bowl trophy.

Now it's all about the big game.

"Our guys have handled themselves well. They've enjoyed the city. At the same time, they understand why they're here," Whittingham said after thanking the bowl committee for its hospitality. "(Our) primary objective is to go out and compete in the football game. I don't believe they've lost sight of that. I have a sense that they're in the right frame of mind and have handled their business the right way.

"It's been a positive experience all the way around," he added.

Saban acknowledged that Alabama has enjoyed its stay in the Big Easy.

"It's certainly special to be here for us," he said. "It's a special venue to have the opportunity to participate in."

There will be plenty of pomp and circumstance at the 75th anniversary Sugar Bowl. The committee has invited past head coaches and most valuable players back for the celebration.

Those who have accepted invitations include former NFL quarterbacks Archie Manning and Kenny Stabler.

BEEN THERE: Saban took exception to a reporter's assertion that Alabama's football program has financial and facility advantages over Utah.

"Have you ever been to Utah?" Saban retorted.

The coach then delivered plenty of praise to the Beehive State.

"Well, I've been to Utah. I went there to work out Alex Smith when I was at Miami (as coach of the Dolphins). It's a beautiful place. Salt Lake City is a beautiful place. They have nice facilities, nice indoor. I mean, it's a nice place," said Saban. "They have a lot of tradition. They've won seven straight bowl games. They're undefeated.

"They're well-coached. Urban Meyer did a great job there. Kyle has done a fantastic job there carrying on," he continued. "So they have resources, and they do a fantastic job with what they got."

YES AND NO: During the practices in Salt Lake earlier in the month, Ute officials turned the heat up at the Eccles indoor facility to supposedly simulate conditions at the Superdome. However, after practicing at the Superdome Wednesday for the first time, the Utes found the conditions different from what they expected.