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No. 5 Alabama will face No. 9 Kansas State in the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Eve in one of the most interesting games of bowl season. The Crimson Tide entered the year as the consensus No. 1 team, but lost to Tennessee and LSU, and nearly dropped other games against Texas and Texas A&M. Former Heisman winner Bryce Young also failed to secure an invitation to New York for his final season.

Kansas State started the year unranked, but stunned the CFP-bound TCU in overtime in the Big 12 championship game to win their first conference title since 2012. Over the past two seasons of a dynamic career, Deuce Vaughn has been perhaps the country’s most shocking player who hasn’t received enough domestic attention.

Alabama and Kansas have never played in the history of the program. However, the Crimson Tide (Texas) and the Wildcats (Missouri) each earned victories over their opponent’s conference bowl his bounding opponents during the 2022 season. However, sugar bowls present another challenge.

Follow Alabama vs. Kansas Sugar Bowl Updates

how to watch sugar bowl live

date: Saturday, December 31 | time: 12:00 PM ET
position: Superdome — New Orleans
tv set: ESPN | Live stream: fuboTV (free trial)

Alabama vs. Kansas: What You Need to Know

Uncharacteristic Struggle: A 10-2 record and a fifth-place ranking don’t look too bad, but Alabama put together their worst effort in years in 2022. Second season of Tuscaloosa. A total of 4 points in losses this year, but Alabama survived by 11 combined losses against teams from Ole Miss, Texas and Texas A&M. The jerseys may look similar, but Alabama is a far cry from the world powerhouses that have dominated college football in past eras. Crimson Tide went 1-4 ATS against Power Five opponents with a winning record, trailing him 49 points down the spread.

Quarterback Combinations: Nebraska transfer quarterback Adrian Martinez led Kansas State for most of the season, but was eventually sidelined by various injuries. Backup his Will his Howard stepped in and played the best football of his career to lead the Wildcats to a Big 12 title. Howard offers his options for more dynamic passing with 15 touchdowns and just two interceptions, including his 199 yards and his two interceptions in his Big 12 title games. But Martinez could still see time as a change of pace option against Alabama’s physical defense.

Big threats for both teams: Alabama quarterback Bryce Young improved his performance as a redshirt sophomore by winning the Heisman Trophy in 2021. But Kansas State, as a versatile playmaker in his offensive coordinator Colin Klein, deuce, who had 1,425 rushing yards, 378 receiving yards, and 11 touchdowns, gave his Vaughn running game to his back. have a breaker Both Young and Vaughan have the ability to turn the game around in one spectacular play, so keeping them hidden in each defensive unit is key.

Sugar bowl predictions, recommendations

Featured games | | Kansas State Wildcats vs. Alabama Crimson Tide

Motivation plays a key role in bowl games, and the Wildcats are in good form after winning their first outright Big 12 championship since 2003. More than any victory Tide has brought in his 2022. Respect the cover, if not outright victory. Forecast: Kansas +6.5

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