Sugar Bowl a near certainty for Tide

ATLANTA — Saturday was still a day for diplomacy among those involved in the BCS bowls.

But there’s little doubt that Alabama will be headed to New Orleans when the Sugar Bowl picks its teams tonight.
Florida appears on its way to the National Championship Game in Miami.

Ronnie Burns, president of the Sugar Bowl, was on hand to see the SEC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. He came away with a positive impression of Alabama — not to mention positive comments.

“Those were two great football teams playing today. It was a great game; an instant classic. ... Alabama left everything on the field,” Burns said. “We would love to have Alabama in New Orleans. It’s not official until tomorrow, though.”

But Burns, whose bowl has the second selection behind the Fiesta Bowl, said it would take a big surprise for Alabama not to be playing in New Orleans on Jan. 2.

Burns has another reason to like the Tide. His brother, Burton Burns, is Alabama’s running backs coach. He was hurting for his brother outside the Alabama locker room moments after the game ended.

“He wanted to win, and as a brother I certainly wanted him to win as well,” Ronnie Burns said. “But, you know, I think he’s going to be very happy and we’ll have a great time. He has a lot of family in New Orleans. A lot of friends. It’s going to be great recruiting for Alabama in that area. It’s going to be fantastic.
We’re going to have a good time.”

Burns had an even closer family member involved in the Sugar Bowl. His son, Vinnie Burns, was a punter on the Virginia Tech team that played undefeated Auburn in the 2005 Sugar Bowl.

“That was fantastic for me and my family,” Burns said. “Obviously, this is going to be just as great.”

The BCS Selection Show will be televised on Fox Television tonight at 7 p.m.