NEW ORLEANS ― Opt outs haven’t bled into the Sugar Bowl, and that should make for a relatively compelling game between Alabama football and Kansas State.
It’s not a College Football Playoff matchup, but the game is between two top 10 teams nonetheless. The No. 5 Crimson Tide (10-2) will face the No. 9 Wildcats (10-3) on Saturday (11 a.m., ESPN) at the Superdome.
Kansas State has played one more game than Alabama. The Wildcats won the Big 12 Championship Game over TCU on Dec. 3 while the Crimson Tide watched the SEC Championship Game from home. Kansas State has won its past four games (Baylor, West Virginia, Kansas and TCU). Alabama has won its past three (Ole Miss, Austin Peay, Auburn).
“We didn’t just come here for a participation trophy,” Kansas State quarterback Will Howard said. “We didn’t just come here because, ‘Oh, it’s cool, we’re playing Alabama.’ We came here to win. It’s a business trip. And we’re looking forward to the game. It’s a really good challenge and a really good test for us. We put ourselves up against the best.”Here’s our scouting report and score prediction for Alabama’s matchup against Kansas State.
Stopping Deuce Vaughn is priority No. 1
The running back isn’t big. He’s listed at 5-foot-6, 176 pounds. But make no mistake. He’s an impact player.
Even at his size, he isn’t afraid to run up the middle. He also has speed and burst and can be a weapon in the passing game.
He’s Kansas State’s scoring leader this season with 11 touchdowns. The two-time consensus All-American has ran for 1,425 yards on 271 carries this season with eight rushing touchdowns.
There’s more to Kansas State’s offense than defending Vaughn, but he has to be a focus.
ALABAMA FOOTBALL:Why ex-RB Henry To’oTo’o is key to Alabama football stopping Deuce Vaughn in Sugar Bowl
PRACTICE REPORT:What we saw inside Alabama football’s practice Wednesday ahead of the Sugar Bowl
Examining the quarterbacks
Two quarterbacks have helped Kansas State get to the Sugar Bowl.
First, it was Nebraska transfer Adrian Martinez. An injury opened the door to Will Howard, though.
He’s now the starter, and offensive coordinator Collin Klein confirmed Thursday that Howard will remain the starter for the Sugar Bowl even with Martinez healthy. Howard has been the guy each of the past three games, passing for two touchdowns in each of those starts. On the season, Howard has completed 101 of 164 passes for 1,423 yards, 15 touchdowns and two interceptions over six games and four starts.
Martinez could return to the field in some capacity, though. Klein said Kansas State would love to get Martinez on the field now that he is healthy.
“What they have done this year, it has kind of galvanized our unit, quite honestly,” Klein said. “Every season has those twists and turns that you never know are coming, and both of them have handled each side of it in stride.”
Blocking Felix Anudike-Uzomah is paramount
The defensive end can create problems, and Alabama would be wise to make sure he is blocked well.
He has tallied 8.5 sacks this season and has 11 tackles for loss.
But Alabama will have others on the Wildcats defense to prevent from affecting the offense. Anudike-Uzomah is just at the top of the list.
“We’ve seen teams that have turned their protection to him when we give no other looks,” Wildcats defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman said. “And he’s made life a lot easier for a guy like Brendan Mott who has had a tremendous year. In part because of himself but also as the by‑product of the attention Felix garners. Nate Matlack, Jaylen Pickle, some of these guys are really the beneficiaries of what Felix can do and how disruptive he can be.”
The defense as a whole surrendered an average of 20.1 points per game this season, the best in the Big 12.
That ranked No. 17 in the country. Meanwhile, Alabama finished No. 9, giving up 18 points per game. The total defense for the Wildcats is ranked No. 53 in the country, surrendering 365.8 yards per game.
Score prediction
Alabama 30, Kansas State 20: Quarterback Bryce Young and linebacker Will Anderson Jr. participating helps the Crimson Tide immensely. The key will be making sure Alabama plays with intensity despite this not being a playoff game. If the Crimson Tide doesn’t come out sharp, Kansas State will have a shot to win this, despite Alabama having the talent edge.
