Here's a look at the Utah Utes and Alabama Crimson Tide before they face off in the Sugar Bowl.

5 Key Matchups

Brian Johnson vs. John Parker Wilson

Johnson - 241-for-353 2,636 yds., 24 TDs, 9 INTs

Wilson - 169-for-293 2,096 yds., 9 TDs, 6 INTs

Utah quarterback Brian Johnson has been too busy studying Alabama's defense to worry much about checking out Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson.

However, he doesn't need to see any film or scouting report to have a feel for what Wilson's life has been like as Alabama's quarterback. He knows from his own experiences the pressures and glories being the leader of the offense brings.

"Obviously, it's the most scrutinized position you can possibly play," Johnson said. "When things are going great, you're great and when things are going average, you're average. When things are going below average you are stinking up the joint."

Right now, as quarterbacks for the teams playing in a Bowl Championship Series game, life is good for Wilson and Johnson. Both have lived through their share of frustrating moments to appreciate the achievement of being here.

For Johnson, his knee injury in 2005 and the redshirt year that followed made it possible for him to be on the 2008 team, one that many in Ute-land believed had all the elements to be as successful as it was. The shoulder injury last season taught him patience and reliance on his teammates to make big plays so he didn't always feel he had to be superman.

Sharing responsibilities was something Wilson said he has learned too this season. Like Johnson, he once had a reputation of trying to do too much. Now he trusts players such as Glen Coffee, Julio Jones and his defenders to help him win games.

"I learned you don't have to throw a touchdown pass every time or win the game on every play," he said. "The defense plays on the same field, and I've done a better job of getting the ball to playmakers."

While Johnson has at times faced criticism for Utah's inconsistent offense, Wilson has undergone even more scrutiny as Alabama's quarterback. He bore the brunt of grief from fans disappointed over Alabama's 7-6 effort in 2007, particularly after a fourth-quarter fumble led to an LSU win over the Tide and he threw two interceptions in a stunning home loss to Louisana Monroe.

Blaming team losses on a single player is a harsh and often unfair judgement, but nevertheless common, especially for the quarterback.

"You have to be able to handle all the praise and negativity that surrounds the position," Johnson said. "It can be a challenge to do that and it has torn some quarterbacks apart, the stress it causes mentally."

The criticism didn't break Wilson, who has lived up to his vow to improve in 2008. He not only cut down on errors and but became a more vocal leader.

"As a three-year starter, I figured it out as it went on," he said. "I stepped into my role more...Experience has a lot to do with it."

Now both Wilson and Johnson are determined to enjoy one last win in their collegiate careers.

They could be the scapegoat if their team loses, but there is glory to be had too, they know.

"Every show has to have a triggerman to run the whole deal," Johnson said. "I take pride in that and I want to go out and have a great game."

Julio Jones vs. Sean Smith

It's a matchup of a top receiver against a former receiver who is now a top corner when Jones and Smith line up across from one another on the field.

At 6-4, 210, Jones is an inch taller than Smith and four pounds lighter. Smith believes he is faster, but you have to wonder how many other defenders thought the same thing, only to be burned by Jones who was voted the SEC Freshman of the Year. He has 51 catches for 847 yards and four touchdowns. Smith, an All-MWC corner, had five interceptions in 2008.

Paul Kruger vs. Mike Johnson

This matchup is suddenly interesting for who isn't here, Outland Trophy winner Andre Smith, who was suspended for the Sugar Bowl for improper contact with an agent. Smith had given up just one sack in 2008, while Kruger has 7.5 sacks. Johnson slides over from left guard to replace Smith. He is a second-team All-SEC selection and has started 26 straight games. But is he good enough to handle Kruger, or will John Parker Wilson be on a constant run from Kruger's grasp?

Zane Taylor vs. Terrence Cody

In his first year starting at center, Moab's Zane Taylor was good enough to earn honorable mention all-conference honors. But will he be good enough to handle Mt. Cody, as the 6-5, 365-pound junior is known? It's a huge task and one that few players have handled on their own. Often this season Cody has been double and triple teamed. At 6-2, 305-pounds, Taylor gives up some pounds to Cody, but he's probably a little more agile too.

Nick Saban vs. Kyle Whittingham

Saban is the proven coach who already has won a national title (at LSU in 2003) while Whittingham still is viewed nationally as an up-and-comer whose name is often mispronounced. However, the two are alike in that defense is strong in their backgrounds. Saban's first coordinating position was as Michigan State's defensive coordinator in 1983. Whittingham learned defense from his father, Fred, Utah's former coordinator.

Beating Saban would be Whittingham's biggest win of his career and show that Chris Hill still got a bargain in him even if his salary is being bumped up to $1.2 million. Losing to the non-BCS Utes would be viewed as an embarrassment for Saban by many Alabama fans.

5 Things to Know about Utah

»Utah has more wins against BCS schools (15) since 2000 than any other non-automatic qualifying school. This season the Utes beat two BCS teams, Michigan and Oregon State. The Utes are 4-2 against ranked BCS teams during that same timeframe.

»The Utes are 0-6 against teams from the SEC. The Utes have lost three times to Tennessee, twice to LSU and once to Florida. The last matchup with an SEC team was in 1984, a 27-21 loss to Tennessee.

»The Utes lead the MWC and are 15th nationally in scoring offense (37.4) and are No. 16 in pass efficiency (149.7).

»Utah has the longest win streak in the nation at 13 games. Utah and Alabama were tied for the longest win streak before Alabama lost to Florida in the SEC title game on Dec. 6. Utah has won 20 of its last 21 games

»Nine current players were on the 2004/2005 Fiesta Bowl team but only quarterback Brian Johnson played that season. The others on the roster were Brent Casteel (WR); Robert Conley (OL); Afa Garrigan (LB); Paul Kruger (DL); John Peel (WR); Colt Sampson (TE); Ray Stowers (RB).

Utah Key Number: 20 » Alabama will try to run on the Utes, but if history holds true, getting big chunks of yardage on the ground against the Utes won't be easy. Utah has held opponents to under 20 yards rushing in more than half (25-of-48) of the total quarters played. Opponents have had a negative net in eight quarters. Air Force rushed for just 53 yards against the Utes, 300 below its season average entering the game.

Utah's X Factor

Utah receiver David Reed and quarterback Brian Johnson have been hooking up more and more on the long throws in recent games. The Utes could use a few big plays out of Reed, who has 23 catches for 369 yards and five touchdowns. If he doesn't get a game-breaker as a receiver, maybe it will be on a kick return where he ranks 29th nationally, averaging 25.6 yards a return.

Utah Injury Report

Utah's most significant injury is to stud linebacker Nai Fotu, who injured his knee against BYU. Replacing him in the lineup is Kepa Gaison (5-10, 230), a former walk-on punter who has 23 tackles as a backup. Lineman Lei Talamaivao has been out since the second game of the season when he broke his leg against UNLV.

How they Got Here

Utah

Game 1, Aug. 30

Utah 25, Michigan 23

Ann Arbor » Louie Sakoda made four field goals and Utah's defense held Michigan to just four rushing yards in the first half as the Utes held on to ruin Rich Rodriguez's debut as Michigan's head coach.

Now, winning at Michigan doesn't seem like such an accomplishment, after all Toledo did it and the Wolverines 33-year bowl streak has been broken. But in August, the win was just the confidence-building one the Utes needed to start their season.

Game 2, Sept. 6

Utah 42, UNLV 21

The Utes scored 21 points in the third quarter to come from behind and avenge a 2007 shutout loss to the Rebels. Utah's defense had another big game, holding the Rebels to just nine rushing yards in the second half. Defensive lineman Koa Misi forced a fumble and finished with six tackles.

Matt Asiata had his first rushing touchdown of his Utah career.

Game 3, Sept 13

Utah 58, Utah State 10

Logan » The Utes set a record for the most points scored by either team in the series despite a game in which Utah's special teams was so horrible on its returns that coach Kyle Whittingham called it the worst he'd seen while at Utah.

The Aggies scored first off one fumbled punt return with Louie Sakoda making three field goals and Utah's defense allowing the Aggies only 39 first-half yards.

Game 4, Sept. 20

Utah 30, Air Force 23

Colorado Springs » Utah's defense dominated the nation's second-best rushing attack, holding the Falcons to just 53 rushing yards, its lowest total since 1980. Air Force entered the game averaging 358 rushing yards.

Despite the dominating defense, it took an 80-yard drive in the final minutes for Utah to get the win. Darrell Mack rushed seven times for 47 yards in the drive, including a 9-yard touchdown run with 58 seconds remaining.

Game 5, Sept. 27

Utah 37, Weber State 21

The Utes welcomed back former coach Ron McBride by giving his team a decisive pounding. The Utes scored 30 straight points to put the game out of reach before the Wildcats scored the game's final two touchdowns.

Kicker Louie Sakoda made three field goals and four extra points to set a school record for career scoring total (238) and set the school record for most career field goals (45).

Game 6, Oct. 2

Utah 31, Oregon State, 28

King Louie added another diamond onto his crown as he made a 37-yard field goal as time expired to complete Utah's improbable comeback against the Beavers. The Utes scored 11 points in the final 2:11 to win with quarterback Brian Johnson completing seven of his last eight passes for 91 yards.

Johnson threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Bradon Godfrey and ran for the two-point conversion.

Afterward he scolded the Utah fans he noticed leaving early, saying he knew they were going to miss a show.

Game 7, Oct. 11

Utah 40, Wyoming 7

Laramie » The Utes nearly duplicated 2007's shutout of the Cowboys despite an offense that struggled against the Wyoming defense and in extremely gusty conditions.

Sean Smith scored on a 25-yard interception return and Aiona Key blocked a punt and returned it for Utah's first touchdown off a blocked kick since 2004.

RJ Rice also recovered a fumble on a muffed punt in the end zone.

Game 8, Oct. 19

Utah 49, CSU 16

With Utah's offense struggling to produce consistent drives, coaches game-planned for CSU by selecting plays quarterback Brian Johnson felt most comfortable in running. That meant a similar offensive look to 2004 with a lot of option.

It also meant a thumping for CSU as Utah totaled a season-high 549 yards of offense.

Johnson was 18-for-26 for 185 yards and two touchdowns and backup Corbin Louks rushed for a career-high 109 yards and two touchdowns.

Game 9, Nov. 1

Utah 13, New Mexico 10

ALBUQUERQUE - The Utes improved their record to 9-0 for just the second time in school history and Brian Johnson set a record for most wins by a starting quarterback, overtaking Alex Smith.

Louie Sakoda accounted for seven of Utah's 13 points and pinned the Lobos on their own 1-yard line with 1:58 remaining in what coach Kyle Whittingham called the play of the game.

The Utes held league-leading rusher Rodney Ferguson to a season-low 34 yards, 74 below his average.

Game 10, Nov. 9

Utah 13, TCU 10

Billed as the biggest game ever in Rice-Eccles Stadium, the showdown between the No. 10 Utes and No. 11 Horned Frogs lived up to expectations with Utah getting the win in the final seconds.

Brian Johnson completed 7-for-9 passing in the final two minutes including two passes to Freddie Brown as the Utes put together their third game-winning drive of the season.

Johnson threw an 11-yard pass to Brown on fourth-and-five and threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Brown with 48 seconds remaining.

TCU went scoreless for the final 51 minutes of the game.

Game 11, Nov. 15

Utah 63, San Diego State 14

San Diego » There was no looking ahead for the Utes as they rolled over San Diego State to clinch at least a part of the MWC title.

Brian Johnson set a personal best by throwing for five touchdowns, one shy of the school record.

Utah defender Deshawn Richard returned two interceptions for touchdowns in the final minutes to add to the tally.

Utah fans celebrated the game by chanting "BCS, BCS" and "Beat BYU."

Game 12, Nov. 22

Utah 48, BYU 24

Brian Johnson had one of his best games of his career in his final contest in Rice-Eccles Stadium, going 30-for-36 for 303 yards and four touchdowns as the Utes won the conference championship outright with the win over their rival. Utah's defense intercepted BYU quarterback Max Hall five times, helping Utah score the final 21 points in the game.

Utah's players and coaches accepted the MWC trophy from commissioner Craig Thompson as they were swarmed by fans at midfield.