The 2022 Sugar Bowl features the 10-2 No.5 Alabama Crimson Tide against the 10-3 No.9 Kansas State Wildcats. Here is the 2022 Sugar Bowl preview.

No.5 Alabama Crimson Tide (10-2)

In what most consider a successful year, the 10-2 season for Alabama would be considered a down year. They missed the College Football Playoff for just the second time, with the one other time being a Citrus Bowl win in 2019. They won five games against bowl eligible teams including impressive road wins against Texas, Arkansas and Ole Miss. But they dropped two other road games against LSU and Tennessee.

Alabama averaged 40.8 points per game which ranked 4th in the country. They averaged 278.2 passing yards per game (ranked 23rd) and 197.2 rushing yards (ranked 30th).

The offense got great news in recent weeks when it was announced that most players would be playing in the bowl game. The only significant loss is starting guard Javion Cohen who is transferring. This means the offense should be at near full strength which spells bad news for the Wildcats. Alabama is very balanced offensively with playmakers at every position. NFL talents Bryce Young (quarterback) who had 27 touchdowns and five interceptions and Jahmyr Gibbs (runningback) who rushed for 6.3 yards per carry will give Kansas State all they can handle.

Alabama’s defense allowed 18 points per game which ties them for 9th. They allowed 186 yards through the air per game (ranked 16th) and 125.3 yards on the ground (32nd). The defense had similar news. There will be no opt outs on what was a very stingy defense. Will Anderson Jr. highlights the talent pool with a team leading 10 sacks. He’s joined by other SEC All-Americans such as Kool-Aid McKinstry who led the team in passes defended, and Henry To’oTo’o who was all over the field with 89 tackles.

No.9 Kansas State Wildcats (10-3)

Kansas State had seven wins against bowl eligible teams in an outstanding season that saw them crowned Big12 Champions. They recorded two wins against then top 10 teams, and had their biggest win in the Big12 Championship game against TCU. The lone losses came against New Year’s Six contender Tulane, a regular season loss to playoff team TCU, and a loss at home to Texas.

Kansas State averages 33.2 points per game which ranks 31st. They throw for 210.5 yards per game (ranked 92nd) and rush for 209.6 (ranked 16th).

Like Alabama, Kansas State shouldn’t be affected by any opt outs. They will have to deal with some nagging injuries. The main one comes to quarterback Adrian Martinez. Kansas State has weathered that issue all season with Will Howard who has shown his prowess in the pass game. Runningback Deuce Vaughn has been electric over the last two years, recording his second straight year with over 1,400 yards. His touchdown total dipped to just eight this year, likely due to the impacgt of mobile quarterback Martinez.

The Kansas State defense allows 20.08 points per game which ties for 19th. They allow 216.9 yards through the air (ranked 53rd) and 148.9 on the ground (64th). The Wildcats do have a knack for turning the ball over, forcing 24 this season which ties for 9th. They allow a lot of yards through the air and on the ground.

They’ll need guys like Felix Anudike-Uzomah who led the team with 8.5 sacks to cause trouble up front. Multiple players in the secondary have three or more interceptions. If they can contain the run and force Bryce Young into pressure situations they may be able to do what they do best and force those turnovers.

Prediction

It’s rare where we get a bowl game with so many NFL prospects on both sides lacing up and playing the game. That’ll make for an electric Sugar Bowl. It’s hard to see Alabama’s defense which has been so good this year being picked apart by the Kansas State offense. The Wildcats will need to make some magic happen on defense to give themselves extra opportunities offensively to try and steal a win.

Alabama 30 Kansas State 19

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