Alabama Sports

• Tide needs RPI boost
Alabama takes shot at No. 12 Clemson tonight

• Smith enters draft as expected
TUSCALOOSA - Amid controversy and suspension, junior Outland Trophy winner Andre Smith ended his playing career at Alabama by formally declaring for the 2009 NFL draft.

• Tide backups eager for QB competition
McElroy has edge in experience, but he'll have challengers

• Grand season's ending leaves Tide stinging
TUSCALOOSA - The skies darkened and rain poured Saturday afternoon all the way from New Orleans to the Alabama state line, matching the majority of moods headed that direction.

• Polished Steele
Senior point guard back in form in rolling past Tech

• Fast start fuels
NEW ORLEANS - Like five rapid-fire jabs to Alabama's jaw, Utah opened the Sugar Bowl as if playing in fast-forward.

• Shuffled line has big meltdowns
Johnson's injury prefaces Utah's eight sacks

• Steele still mum on Clemson
NEW ORLEANS - Alabama defensive head coach and inside linebackers coach Kevin Steele hasn't yet spoken to his charges about a move to Clemson.

• Utah 31, Alabama 17: By the numbers

• Ute-opia!
Utah stuns Bama in Sugar Bowl to amplify respect

• Heavily favored Tide stays on guard
NEW ORLEANS - Hardly anyone is buying the upset, be it odds-makers, media, the betting public or the majority of football fans swarming the Big Easy.

• Utes have bottom-line disadvantage
Bama's $69.5M budget nearly triples Utah's

• Superdome symbolizes Katrina recovery
Refurbished arena where 10 died during Katrina regains its glimmer

• Saban says staff moves probable
NEW ORLEANS ?With the threat of an assistant coaching departure already looming, Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban didn't sound overly concerned Thursday about a likely shake-up on his defensive staff.

• Sugar Bowl's sweet matchups
Mike Johnson vs. Paul Kruger

• No NCAAprobe for Tide's Smith
Saban:Situation is 'institutional matter'

• Johnson slides over to starting left tackle
NEW ORLEANS - Alabama junior Mike Johnson played left tackle in high school. He also played it for one game earlier this season.

• Emotion to spare
Defensive coordinator Smart has Tide following his lead with exuberance

• Smith says return to Tide 'possible'
All-American tackle still quiet on reason for his suspension

• Alabama notes: Tide likes Barron's future
Tide likes Barron's future as defensive starter

• Utah assistant Andersen works double shift
Defensive coordinator also spending time as Utah State head coach