NEW ORLEANS — The players were striking dramatic poses for the cameras. The crowd was chanting "Un-de-feated! Un-de-feated! The opponent was walking away, stunned.

And the BCS, which decides who plays for the national championship, was left looking sort of silly. Again.

Isn't this where we came in?

For the second time in five years, the University of Utah vandalized a bigger-name, higher-profile opponent, handing Alabama a 31-17 defeat in Friday's Sugar Bowl.

"We caught 'em off guard two or three times," said Utah receiver Brent Casteel. "Go, Utes! That's what we do!"

By now the Utes probably shouldn't be catching anyone by surprise. They're as subtle as a scream. In 2004 they went undefeated and won the Fiesta Bowl. This time it was the same basic result. All they did was change time zones. "We never doubted ourselves. Never hung our heads low," said Casteel. "We took it personal because of all the hype. We didn't buy into the pre-game hype. We got it done."

Now, of course, the big question is whether the Utes should be national champions. Thanks to the vagaries of the system, they won't get the chance. Florida and Oklahoma get that honor.

"We could make an argument that we're the best team in the nation," said kicker Louie Sakoda.

"There's only one undefeated team in the United States of America," said coach Kyle Whittingham.

One thing seems certain: The Utes are making life miserable for the football blue bloods. In 2004-05 they wiped out Pittsburgh in the postseason. That time it was considered a curiosity, but twice is no accident. Now the BCS has to deal again with a persistent headache: What to do with a certain drum-and-feather-wearing team that won't get in line.

Now there will be more calls for a revamping of the system that doesn't allow all teams a chance to win the championship.

As a famous world leader and former actor once said in West Berlin, "Mr. BCS, open this gate! Mr. BCS, tear down that wall!"

Of all the scenarios that one could conjure to start the game, the least likely was what happened. Roll Tide? Uh, no. By the time the first quarter was finished, the Utes were up 21-0. They already had 150 yards of offense, an interception and two sacks. The Tide didn't know what hit them.

The Utes were abusing Alabama like it was Wyoming.

In the early moments, they could do no wrong. OK, they did some wrong, but even that didn't matter. Even when Casteel tried to field a punt off his helmet, the Utes recovered the ball.

Not that it was over. Or didn't anyone mention that? The Tide cut the lead to 21-17. What was once a cushy lead vanished into mist.