Maybe not...

After further thought and study, I think the Sugar Bowl might be a little different from what I first thought.  If you read my blog on sithfam.blogspot.com than you saw my prediction of Utah 34 and Alabama 29.  I have think it may be even closer.  It's going to be a defensive battle.  Here is more stats that I have found.  This is out of 119 FBS Division NCAA schools.  

Here are the Offensive stats for both schools.  

Pass Offense: Utah #42, 236.8 yards per game, 26 TD's-9 Int., 67.56 Comp. % and a 149.78 Passer Rating

Alabama #96, 170.7 YPG, 10 TD's-7 Int., 58.22 Comp %, and 125.76 Passer Rating.

Rush Offense: Utah #40, 168.42 YPG, 23 TD's

Alabama #22, 196.46 YPG, 32 TD's

3rd Down %: Utah #26, 45.5 %

Alabama #36, 42.4 %

Total Offense: Utah #31-Alabama #56

Pretty close numbers, 'Bama runs more and Utah passes more and each are more efficient at their prospective strength.  Now here are the Defensive stats... you might want to sit down.

Pass Defense: Utah #37, 191.08 YPG

Alabama #21, 178.08 YPG

Rush Defense: Utah #14, 104.8 YPG

Alabama #4 (yes 4), 78.8 YPG

(Here's the amazing part, both teams faces 3 top 20 rushing teams!!  AMAZING!)

Scoring Defense: Utah #12, 17.3 PPG

Alabama #6, 13 PPG

3rd Down %: Utah #8, 30.3 %

Alabama #3, 27.0 %

Total Defense: Utah #17-Alabama #3

Completely absurd stats.  I think this game might turn into the Boise State-TCU game.  I can't believe the defensive stats.  'Bama is scary, but so is Utah.  Here are some stats that will have an affect on the outcome.

Tackles for loss: Utah #34, 6.33 TFL PG

Alabama #47, 6.0 TFL PG

Sacks (this was surprisingly low): Utah #74, 1.75 PG 

Alabama #62, 1.85 PG

Tackles for loss allowed: Utah #25, 4.83 PG

Alabama #3, 3.77 PG

Sacks allowed: Utah #63, 1.92

Alabama #21, 1.31

Turn Over margin: Utah #16, +.92

Alabama #22, +.62

Penalties: Utah #86, 6.67 PG, 60.5 Yards PG

Alabama #5, 3.85 PG, 34.85 Yards PG

Net Punt Ave: Utah #26, 36.83 Yards, 28 Ret yards, 3.11 Yards per return (Thank you King Louie!)

Alabama #69, 34.63 Yards, 240 Ret yards, 9.23 Yards per return.

Punt Return: Utah #92, 6.53 Yards per return

Alabama #12, 13.08 YPR

Red Zone Offense: Utah #16, 19 Rush TD's-18 Pass TD's-10 Field Goals, 90% 

Alabama #34, 24 RTD's- 4 PTD's-15 FG's, 85%

Red Zone Defense: Utah #14, 9 RTD's-9 PTD's-5 FG's, 74% (out of 31 tries)

Alabama #61, 3 RTD's-8 PTD's-7 FG's, 82% (out of 22 tries)

Time of Possession: Utah #8, 32:38

Alabama #11, 32:11

So, not a big difference between the two.  The biggest that I see is Coach Whit's "bend but not break" philosophy.  Utah gives up more yards, but not many TD's.  The biggest reason why I still think Utah will win is the Special Teams.  King Louie will pin Alabama deep and Utah's punt coverage is amazing anyway.  This will be a field position game and turn over game.  If Utah can keep to form and protect the ball and have great punts, they can and will win.  With NFL quality LT Andre Smith out for the game, that tilts even more to Utah's advantage.  

My new prediction is;

Utah 17-Alabama 13