Alabama All-America left tackle Andre Smith was suspended yesterday from the Sugar Bowl Friday in New Orleans for violating team rules, possibly signaling an end to the Outland Trophy winner's college career.

Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban did not specify Smith's violation leading up to the game against No. 7 Utah.

Smith, a junior, is expected to be one of the top players selected in the NFL draft if he opts to skip his final season at Alabama.

Patrick Nix was fired after two seasons as offensive coordinator, the first significant shake-up to the Hurricanes this offseason. Miami was 7-6 this season and sputtered at times offensively, yet showed improvement in some areas in the second half of the year. Ultimately, it wasn't enough to keep Nix in place.

Coach Kyle Whittingham signed a five-year contract extension worth $6 million, a reward for leading the Utes to a perfect regular season and Bowl Championship Series bid. No. 7 Utah (12-0) is the only Division I-A unbeaten team heading into the Sugar Bowl Friday against No. 4 Alabama.

Coach Charlie Weis had surgery to have his right knee replaced. He was expected to start walking on the knee hours after the surgery and remain at the hospital for a day or two before beginning several months of rehabilitation. Weis had planned to have surgery on his left knee Feb. 24, but the university said in a statement that no decision has been made yet on what will be done with that knee.