When the matchup was first announced, Saban started by talking about his being "the only team that plays in a real BCS Conference that went 12-0" and kept the same attitude through the bowl game.

During press conferences he said the right things about having respect for the Utah program, etc., etc. But he usually talked in generalities, speaking of "their quarterback" or "their defensive end," rarely mentioning players by name. He became defensive when someone asked about the advantages Alabama had with its facilities and finances and never addressed the question.

Alabama fans and media were also overconfident and a bit condescending leading up to the game. In my conversations with them, the gist of the talk was usually whether the Utes could keep it close and avoid being another Hawaii (which was crushed by Georgia in the previous Sugar Bowl). I didn't hear much from the Alabama media at the post-game buffet.

I have to admit I was skeptical of a Ute victory before the game, although I wasone of two people in a New Orleans Times-Picayune media poll to pick Utah (I pegged it 23-20). I've also said all along that the Utes probably couldn't stay with Oklahoma, Texas or Florida.

But now I wonder. If the Utes could dismantle Alabama they way they did, the same Alabama team that led Florida 20-17 in the fourth quarter before losing in the SEC Championship, why couldn't the Utes beat Florida or Oklahoma or Texas?

Unfortunately, we'll never know, but Ute fans can revel for a long time in the greatest season in Utah football history.

E-mail: sor@desnews.com