SUGAR BOWL: Will the Tide roll with the run?

NEW ORLEANS — One of the obvious matchups to watch in the Sugar Bowl will be Utah’s defense against Alabama’s run-oriented offense. The Utes enter the game with the nation’s 14th-best run defense. They’ve given up just 104.83 ypg. The Crimson Tide, on the other hand, average 196.46 yards on the ground.

Stop the run, stop Alabama?

“It’s not that simple because J.P. (quarterback John Parker Wilson) can throw the ball and our receivers can make plays,” running back Glen Coffee said Monday morning. “But the focus of our offense is definitely running the ball and controlling the clock. We look to do that every game. So for a team to stop that, we have to give respect to that team.”