The Alabama Crimson Tide and Kansas State Wildcats meet for the first time ever in the Sugar Bowl on Saturday afternoon. There are three New Year’s Six games on Saturday, with the Sugar Bowl the only non-playoff matchup. We have our Alabama vs. Kansas State predictions and Sugar Bowl best bets.
Appearing in the Sugar Bowl was not in Alabama’s interests this season. The Crimson Tide intended on going back to the College Football Playoff and winning after losing to Georgia in the CFP National Championship last year. That is obviously not what happened for Nick Saban and his Crimson Tide.
Two of the finest institutions of higher learning!#SugarBowl Campus Comparison
89th Annual @Allstate #SugarBowl
🏈 @AlabamaFTB 🆚 @KStateFB
📆 Dec. 31
⌚ 11 a.m. CT🎟 https://t.co/clrMckXFwa pic.twitter.com/Z5XK8toPOv
— Allstate Sugar Bowl (@SugarBowlNola) December 29, 2022
via@SugarBowlNola
Alabama lost two games to keep them out of the College Football Playoff. They also struggled to put Texas and Texas A&M away in matchups earlier in this season. For any Alabama fans that wanted the committee to put them in the CFP, they did not deserve this invite in 2022.
The Crimson Tide are 10-2 and riding a three-game winning streak going into the Sugar Bowl. They are coming off a 49-27 win over the Auburn Tigers in the Iron Bowl. It was a strong performance for the last Iron Bowl for quarterback Bryce Young.
Kansas State has to still be riding a high after winning the Big 12 Championship. They edged out TCU in overtime, 31-28, to win the conference championship game. The Wildcats have won four straight and five of their previous six outings.
Head below for our Alabama vs. Kansas State betting pick and predictions for the Sugar Bowl on December 31, 2022.
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Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Kansas State Wildcats Live Betting Odds:
| Teams | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama Crimson Tide | -6.5 (-110) | -250 | Over 56.5 (-110) |
| Kansas State Wildcats | +6.5 (+100) | +210 | Under 56.5 (-110) |
| Team Data | Alabama Crimson Tide | Kansas State Wildcats |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Record | 10-2 | 10-3 |
| ATS Record | 6-6-0 | 9-3-1 |
| Away/Home Record | NEUTRAL | NEUTRAL |
| ATS Away/Home | NEUTRAL | NEUTRAL |
| Yards Per Game | 475.7 | 420.2 |
| Yards Against Per Game | 311.3 | 365.8 |
| Passing Yards Per Game | 278.3 | 210.5 |
| Rushing Yards Per Game | 197.4 | 209.6 |
Alabama vs. Kansas State Predictions
Kansas State was one of the best bets against the spread this season. They are 9-3-1 going into their bowl game in New Orleans. The Wildcats finished the year covering the spread in four straight games, including in the Big 12 Championship Game as small underdogs.
Is this trend going to continue for Kansas State against Alabama? If the Wildcats can stay within a touchdown, they will cover another game in 2022. However, Will Howard and Kansas State are not interested in just settling for a loss and cover.
Are The Crimson Tide Motivated?
Going into 2022, Alabama felt that anything less than a National Championship would be a failure this season. How about missing out on the College Football Playoff completely?
The good news for Alabama in this matchup is that they did not expect to hear their name called after losing two games. Conversely, if Alabama felt shocked and snubbed, then the motivation for the Sugar Bowl probably would have been a lot different.
Work Hard, Play Hard!#RollTide #BamaFactor pic.twitter.com/CykvMyGE90
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) December 27, 2022
via@AlabamaFTBL
Alabama were planning on going to the Sugar Bowl prior to the announcement. In other words, this should not be a case of the Crimson Tide being completely ill-prepared. This is also the grand finale at Alabama for one important member of the Crimson Tide.
Bryce Young will suit up and not opt-out of the Sugar Bowl. In his career at Alabama, Young has passed for 8,035 yards, 75 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. He threw for 27 touchdowns and 5 interceptions on 64.1% completions this season.
Bryce Young Goes Out With A Win
He is not going to back down in this showdown against Kansas State. Alabama is 14th with 475.7 yards per game. They have scored 40.8 points per game, with the play of Young responsible for most of these points.
The Crimson Tide are the most well-balanced offense that the Wildcats have defended against in 2022. Alabama can run the ball with the 30th-best running game in the nation, or let Young air it out. Expect Nick Saban to give Young the green light.
Alabama QB 9 Bryce Young showing off his ability to move around the pocket but then watch him set his feet and still fire the ball into the WR over the middle of the field. pic.twitter.com/rZZ6UwAJnD
— Russell Brown (@RussNFLDraft) December 29, 2022
via@RussNFLDraft
The passing game started off slow this season. There did not seem to be much chemistry between Young and his receivers, but things have been opening up recently. Kansas State boasts the 53rd-best defense in the FBS.
Along with Young playing in the Sugar Bowl, Alabama will have elite defensive lineman, Will Anderson Jr. Young and Anderson Jr. could be the first players taken off the board in their respective positions at the 2023 NFL Draft.
Alabama vs. Kansas State Betting Pick:
Young and Anderson Jr. could have easily passed on this game and no one would have said anything. However, they want to leave college with a win in the Sugar Bowl. Do not expect a lazy performance from either of these guys.
Will Howard has been outstanding since taking over for Adrian Martinez. This is not an easy assignment against an aggressive Alabama secondary. The Crimson Tide are 16th with 186 yards allowed per game.
Kansas State depends on the run game to set up the pass. The Crimson Tide should be able to sniff out the Wildcats in the backfield, though. Anderson Jr. playing instead of opting out is huge for the final result in the Sugar Bowl.
For our Alabama vs. Kansas State prediction, we are looking at a 35-24 win or thereabout for the Crimson Tide.
