Sugar Bowl Preview

Justin Woodall – Alabama plays a lot of man coverage, and when Utah goes with 4 or 5 WR’s, Woodall will likely cover one of the slot receivers. Woodall needs to be able to stay with small quick WR’s like Brent Casteel or David Reed on shallow crossing routes and deep posts.

Derrick Shelby – Shelby has played extremely well this year as a 245 pound defensive tackle, but will need to play his best for Utah to slow down Alabama’s rushing attack. With Alabama using man-blocking schemes Shelby can use his speed and quickness to penetrate off the snap and disrupt the downhill running game of the Tide.

Rolondo McClain – Outstanding all-around player who is terrific in run support and good in coverage. If McClain is allowed to attack the ball downhill in the running game and sit back and react in the passing game it could be a long day for Utah’s offense.

Kenape Eliapo – Utah needs Eliapo’s size and strength against the power running game, yet he hasn’t played much this season due to injury. A healthy and effective Eliapo will greatly aid Utah’s efforts to stop the run and force Alabama to pass.

Josh Chapman – Terrence Cody gets the headlines, but Chapman is a big reason why Alabama’s defense is so good. Chapman is the superior pass rusher and very good plugging running lanes as well.

Joe Dale – Dale has played well this year, but will have his hands full against Alabama. Dale will spend a lot of time in the box, but needs to track Nick Walker and keep the tight end from getting open off the play-action pass, something Dale and the Utes have struggled with at times this season.

Mike Johnson – Johnson moves from left guard to left tackle in the absence of Andre Smith. Johnson is a very good run blocker but struggles in pass protection when he is isolated on the edge.

Zane Taylor – Taylor draws the unenviable task of trying to block Terrence Cody and Josh Chapman. While Utah uses zone blocking schemes and double-teams at the point of attack, it will be up to Taylor to successfully block the 365 pound monster in Cody and the quicker 300 pounder Chapman for Utah to establish the run.

Nick Walker – Very good tight end who Alabama utilizes in the play-action passing game. Walker is the second leading receiver on Alabama’s offense and will be used to keep Utah’s defense honest.

Matt Asiata – Utah needs to run the ball which means it needs Asiata to read the blocking well and attack the creases he is given. The 230 pound back will play a key role in Utah’s offense. If Asiata can get going, Darrell Mack and the rest of the offense becomes more effective.

John Parker Wilson – Wilson has been consistently solid this year, but not great. He can be a little erratic at times but is a good manager and doesn’t make many mistakes. Wilson struggled without Smith against Tulane, and a lot of pressure will be on the senior signal caller to perform and keep the offense running smoothly.

Brian Johnson – Johnson has been making great decisions with the ball over the last half of the season and proven himself to be a winner. Most likely Alabama will shut down the running game meaning Johnson and the receivers will have to move the chains and not make mistakes for Utah to win the game.