This matchup we will be covering the Allstate Sugar Bowl which is at 11 am in the Ceasers superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. This will be the first time the K-state Wildcats and the Alabama Crimson Tide have ever played each other. It will also be K-State’s first trip to the Sugar Bowl, unlike Alabama where this is their 17th appearance entering with a 9-7 record.
The Wildcats ranked #11 have had a great year capping off the regular season becoming the Big 12 champion defeating the undefeated TCU Horned Frogs. Their offense is run by Wildcat legend Collin Klein, whose offensive style is like a pro style with a little bit of flare to it. They can huddle up and slow it down with their dynamic running schemes or speed the tempo up and go “NASCAR” tempo with no huddle nickel and dime ‘em assault. The Wildcat’s defense has always been solid and fundamentally sound this year, especially in their 3-3-5 formation making opposing offenses really study and breakdown their film. They run slants and move the d-line a lot to put themselves in the best position for the backers to scrape off the top to make the play.
Alabama is #5 in the country and Nick Saban HC will lead the Tide to New Orleans with his impeccable track record as a head coach. The Tide has not had one of their usual years, losing to big time rival Tennessee which seemed to really expose Bama to not be the caliber of team we’ve seen in the past. But it’s still Bama, they have the cats that can go the distance at any time.
Their offense runs a run first pass second pro style type of offense that has proven itself to win the big game. It’s led by Bryce Young the 2021 Heisman, and the offensive line which are all vets for the exception of RS So. Seth McLaughlin. The one glaring stat is Alabama ranks dead last in the nation averaging 94 yards a game on the road in penalties. If they want to win this game they will have to improve on that stat. Their Defense ranks #4 in allowing only 4.4 yards per play and are led by Linebacker Will Anderson who was named best defender in college football the past two seasons.
One interesting matchup that I think should be watched and noticed during this game is the battle that is going to occur in the trenches. I’m an O-line guy and love to see two dominating fronts go at it. To me this game like the cliché, will be won upfront. K-state and Bama both have well coached lines and front seven players. We’ll see Will Anderson go at it with the offensive tackles of K-state, LT Leveston and RT Duffie for a great match up of grit.
With all that I think that this game will be a good one, both Bama and K-state have shown they can do it and now it’s only a matter of who can show up and play their best ball. K-states got the grit and passion while Bama has the talent and prestige. It should be entertaining and another chance for the Big 12 Champions to show their merit against the vaunted Crimson Tide of Alabama.
