Go, Utes!

Today, all Utahns should set aside their red and blue divisions. All should bleed red, if only for a few hours.

This evening, the undefeated University of Utah Utes meet the storied University of Alabama Crimson Tide in the Sugar Bowl. Alabama, 12-1 and ranked fourth in the nation, is a 10-point favorite in the contest.

It makes sense that the oddsmakers favor Alabama. Anyone who watches college football knows the SEC, in which Alabama plays, is the strongest conference in the nation. Just ask Alabama coach Nick Saban.

However, no one should count out the Utes. Time and time again this season, they silenced the naysayers. Remember that down-to-the-wire season-opening victory at the University of Michigan? Or the 31-28 victory over Oregon State, the only team to beat USC this year? How about the Utes' dramatic 13-10 win over Texas Christian University that ensured the U. a share of the Mountain West Conference title and a BCS bowl berth?

But does the Crimson Tide want the Sugar Bowl trophy the way that the University of Utah does? Alabama's loss to the University of Florida robbed them of a perfect season. A bowl game against a team from a "non-BCS conference" wasn't exactly what the Tide faithful had in mind when the college football season started last fall.

Besides, University of Alabama players may not be as hungry. This is Alabama's 13th appearance in the Sugar Bowl. The Crimson Tide has won it eight times, four times as national champions. Motivation may be hard to find.

Contrast that with the U.'s approach to this game. The significance of Utah's second BCS bowl appearance in five years is not lost on the team. This game is historic. A Sugar Bowl victory would be a sweet way to start the new year and, once again, silence the critics of bowl-busting universities from the West.