NEW ORLEANS — A football game can’t be won in the first quarter, but it can be lost in the opening minutes.

Alabama notes from the Sugar Bowl

NEW ORLEANS — Of all teams, you’d have figured Alabama would have understood the respect factor.

NEW ORLEANS — Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham will lose both coordinators. Alabama’s Nick Saban sounded resigned to facing some staff changes on the eve of the Sugar Bowl.

NEW ORLEANS — A Mapquest search says it is 345 miles from Shreveport, La., to New Orleans. The trip takes about about five hours, 23 minutes.

NEW ORLEANS — Alabama head coach Nick Saban discussed Andre Smith’s suspension for the first time with reporters after the Crimson Tide’s practice Wednesday at the Superdome.

NEW ORLEANS — Steadman Shealy didn’t throw passes to Nick Walker. Major Ogilvie didn’t run behind blocks thrown by Travis McCall.

NEW ORLEANS — Rolando McClain is a lab experiment come to life.

NEW ORLEANS — The suspension of Alabama junior left tackle Andre Smith carried aftershocks Tuesday.

NEW ORLEANS — Andre Smith’s suspension for Friday night’s Allstate Sugar Bowl didn’t only dominate Alabama’s day.

NEW ORLEANS — The tests never stop coming for Jim McElwain.

NEW ORLEANS — Outland Trophy winner and first-team All-American left tackle Andre Smith has been suspended for the Sugar Bowl.
Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban said the suspension was due to a violation of team rules and policies.

NEW ORLEANS — Outland Trophy winner and first-team All-American left tackle Andre Smith has been suspended for the Sugar Bowl.
Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban said the suspension was due to a violation of team rules and policies.

The more Nick Saban looks at Utah, the more concerned he sounds.

What’s next for Alabama’s football team, beyond Friday’s Allstate Sugar Bowl against undefeated Utah?