NEW ORLEANS — The Sugar Bowl proved to be extremely sweet for the Utah Utes. They left the Superdome with more than a 31-17 victory over Alabama on Friday night.

"It puts us back on the map and shows that the Mountain West is a tough conference," said linebacker Kep Gaison.

Utah's second Bowl Championship Series appearance in five seasons was as successful as the first, a 35-7 win over Pittsburgh in the 2005 Fiesta Bowl.

In fact, given Alabama's stature and No. 4 ranking, this one likely exceeded it.

"It's like a big dream right now," said safety Robert Johnson, who had two interceptions against the Crimson Tide. "A couple of years ago, I was watching Florida play in a BCS game and was hoping that could be me. Now it looks like the dream came true for me."

The Utes are relishing in reality. At 13-0, they're the only unbeaten team in the nation this season — prompting debate about national championship consideration.

Just ask quarterback Brian Johnson. The Sugar Bowl's Most Outstanding Player, who completed 27-of-41 passes for 336 yards and three touchdowns, knows where he would put the Utes on his ballot if he had a vote.

"Number one. You know, what else do we have to prove? I mean, our strength of schedule going into this game was actually higher than Alabama's, and we beat Alabama by more than Florida did (31-20)," said Johnson, who noted that the Sugar Bowl was also more like a home game than a neutral site for the Crimson Tide.

"The resume's in itself. I think people get caught up in looking at the athletes and the glamour of a name that a program carries. But that's the reason why you play the game. The game is played on the field by players."

And winning the Sugar Bowl, he added, was something the blue-collar Utes wanted really badly and worked hard to get.

"I think we deserve it and I definitely think, without question, we are one of the best teams, if the not the best team, in the country," said Johnson.

Utah's list of accomplishments proves it. The Utes have won 14 consecutive games over the past two seasons and eight consecutive bowl games. Both are the longest active streaks in the nation.

"We have a tremendous amount of respect for Utah," said Alabama coach Nick Saban.

The Utes earned such praise with their performance in the Louisiana Superdome.

"They've got a great team. They weren't missing anything," said Crimson Tide defensive lineman Bobby Greenwood. "They were doing good in all aspects of the game."