For the final time of the 2022 season, Alabama and Kansas State will compete on the gridiron in arguablely one of the most prestigious bowls in college football history.
The Crimson Tide will make its 13th Suagr Bowl appearance while Kansas State makes its second trip to New Orleans. Before making the trip down to the Big Easy, Alabama head coach Nick Saban spoke about how difficult of a matchup the Wildcats pose.
"These guys got a really good team," Saban said. "They beat TCU in the championship game. They were ahead of them 28-10 in the other game, the first game that they played against them. This is a really good team. They can run the ball. They’re physical. They’ve got a good offensive line. They’ve got a good runner. Quarterback’s played well. They’ve got good skill guys on offense. Defense plays physical, tough. Come out and strike you. This is a good, old-fashioned, well-coached, disciplined, tough, good football team.
"They can make an argument that, since they beat one of the teams that are in the Playoffs, maybe they should be in the Playoffs. So I think this is a really good team."
Here's how Alabama and Kansas State stack up on paper via their high school star ratings.
*Used first Kansas State and Alabama players at each position based on their depth charts, though there are many OR spots.*