New Orleans » The suspension of Alabama offensive lineman Andre Smith for the Sugar Bowl was met with as much disappointment from Utah's players as Alabama's.

They wanted to play the best to prove they were the best.

"Myself and the D-Line, everybody was confident going in," defensive end Paul Kruger said. "We were excited for the opportunity to face guys like that."

Instead of matching up with the 6-foot-5, 330-pound Outland Trophy winner in Friday's game, Kruger probably will face 6-6, 305-pound guard Mike Johnson, who filled in for Smith in the Tulane game when he had a sprained knee. David Ross, a 6-3, 295-pound sophomore, will start in Johnson's normal spot.

While disappointed they won't be able to play Alabama (12-1) at full strength, Utah's defensive line doesn't have much sympathy for the jostling in the lineup that Smith's absence has created.

Utah (12-0) has gone through its own adjustments this season, evolving from a bunch of out-of-position, inexperienced players to become a strength for the defense.

It has done so well it's hard to remember how tenuous it was thought to be before the season started. A quick refresher. Zeke Tuinei-Wily, who had experience on both sides of the line, was indefinitely suspended in the spring and quit the team. Also quitting was Isley Filiaga, a nose tackle who left because of lingering injuries. Another lineman the Utes were excited about, former Cottonwood High star Keni Kaufusi, never made it onto campus after his scholarship was revoked following an altercation involving a handgun.

In the first game of the season, nose tackle Kenape Eliapo went down with a broken foot. Just about the time Utah pieced together a defensive line it thought could make it through the season, starting tackle Lei Talamaivao suffered a season-ending knee injury in the second game of the season.

Fortunately, Talamaivao's injury was the last for the defensive line, which has started the same guys for the last 10 games and has produced consistently good results.

While Kruger was a known commodity coming into the season, the others have exceeded expectations. Greg Newman, projected to be a backup, is tied for second on the team with 8.5 tackles for a loss, and freshman Derrick Shelby, former a backup end, has done well enough to keep Eliapo from earning his spot back at tackle. Koa Misi is Utah's dependable left end who doesn't get as much attention as Kruger but is a talent in his own right.

"They are one of the strengths of this football team," Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. "The play we got from both those guys was instrumental to our success."

Even without Smith in Alabama's lineup, Utah's defensive line knows playing Alabama still will be a difficult task. Alabama still has another All-American on the line in center Antoine Caldwell and more 300-pounders around him. Together, they've helped Alabama average 196.5 yards rushing.

"They're a tremendous group," Kruger said. "They're very big and strong and athletic and all good offensive linemen. I've studied the film and realize it's a good matchup and something we've needed to prepare and work hard for a big challenge."

Where Alabama's reputation is built on its size, Utah's is built on being small but quick. Come Friday, Utah's line hopes to be simply known as the best.