Alabama football

Five bold predictions for the Allstate Sugar Bowl matchup between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Kansas State Wildcats.

Can the Tide defense get a scoop and score or a pick-six? A hungry Alabama defense has a chance to make some big plays against the Wildcat offense. Look for Law to make a few splash plays for the Crimson Tide offense and score his first career touchdown. I expect Alabama to push the Wildcats around between the 20s and surpass the 200-yard rushing mark as a team. While I believe Alabama will play a very physical game and look to establish the run early, Young will likely end several of those drives with touchdown tosses. I believe Alabama as a staff is looking to find a more physical approach on the offensive side of the ball and that could start Saturday against the Wildcats.

The Crimson Tide return to the non-CFP Sugar Bowl for the first time since losing to Oklahoma in 2014.

[Nebraska](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/teams/NEB/nebraska-cornhuskers/) transfer quarterback [Adrian Martinez](/college-football/players/2966360/adrian-martinez/) led Kansas State for much of the season, but was eventually sidelined with various injuries. 1 team but struggled in losses to [Tennessee](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/teams/TENN/tennessee-volunteers/) and [LSU](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/teams/LSU/lsu-tigers/) and nearly dropped other games against [Texas](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/teams/TEXAS/texas-longhorns/) and [Texas A&M](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/teams/TXAM/texas-am-aggies/). [TCU](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/teams/TCU/tcu-horned-frogs/) in overtime of the Big 12 Championship Game to capture its first conference title since 2012. Backup [Will Howard](/college-football/players/3162310/will-howard/) stepped in and played the best football of his career to lead the Wildcats to a Big 12 title. Alabama underperformed the spread by nearly 10 points per games against Power Five opponents with winning records, and the Wildcats are notably better than any victory the Tide came away with in 2022. Motivation plays a major role in bowl games, and the Wildcats are riding high after winning their first outright Big 12 championship since 2003. The jerseys may look similar, but Alabama is far from the world beaters that have dominated [college football](/college-football/) for the past era. Both Young and Vaughn have the ability to flip games with one spectacular play, so keeping them under wraps will be key for each defensive unit. 9 [Kansas State](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/teams/KSTATE/kansas-state-wildcats/) in the Sugar Bowl in one of the most intriguing matchups of bowl season. Alabama and Kansas State have never played in the history of their programs. By the Sports-Reference SRS system, 2022 Alabama rates as the worst Nick Saban team since 2008, Saban's second season in Tuscaloosa. [Alabama](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/teams/BAMA/alabama-crimson-tide/) faces off against Big 12 champions No.

Alabama won't be in a Playoff game on Saturday afternoon. This year, The Crimson Tide have to settle for the Sugar Bowl, which isn't too bad, either.

But I just can’t see Young and Anderson walking out of the Superdome with a loss to end their incredible careers, with everything they’ve invested and with their commitment to play in this game alone. So far, Klieman is 30-19 in Manhattan, now has a Big 12 championship to his name and will be going toe-to-toe with arguably the best coach in college football history on New Year’s Eve at a legendary bowl game. This could be an old-school Saban Era game, you know, like those 20-17 or 17-14 barnburners that Alabama played a lot of during Saban’s early years in Tuscaloosa and usually prevailed in. You know, the same TCU team that will be kicking it off against Michigan in a CFP semifinal game right about the time that Bama’s players are taking their shoulder pads off for the last time this season. If Alabama is going to get that 11th victory of 2022, it will have to at least limit the damage of the dazzling Deuce Vaughn. The 6-foot-4, 255-pounder had 11 sacks last season, so he specializes in getting to the quarterback and making his life miserable. Young and Anderson will go hard 1 final time for Alabama because you can’t take it easy in football. But there is also a consolation prize waiting for Bama on New Year’s Eve afternoon, if the Tide are willing and able and motivated enough to chase it down inside the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. 9 Kansas State (10-3), with a prediction for how things will end up for the Tide in 2022. This fact alone should give every one of Saban’s players the motivation that Saban begged for from them when the Crimson Tide were selected to play in the Sugar Bowl earlier this month. You probably also heard that Alabama won’t be playing in either of them, for only the 2nd time since college football went to this current format in 2014. thought it was important enough a few weeks ago to announce that they were not opting out, as many expected, and that they were going to don the crimson and white 1 more time in the Big Easy before saying goodbye and heading off to the NFL Draft in 2023.

Alabama football has had a love/hate relationship with the Sugar Bowl. Date Played, Winning team, Losing team. January 1, 1945, #11 Duke, 29, Alabama, 26 ...

#8 Alabama The Wildcats also have no opt-outs, and why would they? Saban may be familiar with New Orleans, but it will be the first trip to the Big Easy for anyone on the roster and all but Pete Golding on the coaching staff. Finished #8/9 Losing team Winning team

"We didn't just fall into this. We earned the right." The K-State Wildcats are determined to prove themselves against Alabama.

"Not many people expected Kansas State to be in this position this year," Klieman said. A K-State victory over Alabama would arguably be the biggest ever for the program, certainly rivaling the win against No. We've earned the right to represent Kansas State, and represent our conference, in the Sugar Bowl." I wouldn't say there's anything to prove, just going out there and doing our best and eventually coming out of New Orleans with a win." "We have a number of kids that are going to have opportunities to play at the next level," he said. They have won national championships in recent years and all over the past 10 to 15 years, so I'm super excited for this opportunity." "This is the first time K-State has played Alabama, so it's definitely a great challenge for us. Quarterback Bryce Young, who won a Heisman Trophy in 2021, and defensive end Will Anderson, both are potential top-five picks in the NFL draft. They weren't going to let their teammates down and it was never a conversation we even had to have." In addition to claiming just the third Big 12 championship in school history, K-State is making its first-ever Sugar Bowl appearance as well as facing Alabama — a college football blueblood if ever there was one — for the first time. "The Nick Saban-era of Alabama football has been something that I grew up watching. "We’re here to win," said K-State offensive lineman Cooper Beebe, a second-team All-American.

Ha Ha Clinton-Dix has joined the Alabama football staff after retiring from the Green Bay Packers of the NFL.

I watch all of these guys each and every week, and it feels like I’m still part of them and part of the game without all the meetings and all the practicing and stuff." We came down on the 26th, we have a game on Saturday against Kansas State. She sat down with me and she (darn) near opened the floor and told me I have an opportunity to come back and work for Nick Saban in a director of player development role here in Tuscaloosa. Focused on being a servant and of course doing what I love, and that's helping others. Clinton-Dix, while on a virtual press conference from his hotel room in New Orleans, spoke with reporters in Green Bay after retiring from the NFL. He's joining the staff as a director of player development, he said Friday.

Former Alabama DB Ha Ha Clinton-Dix formally retired from the NFL on Thursday as a Green Bay Packer. Friday, Clinton-Dix revealed that he has already ...

Since the end of the 2019 season, Clinton-Dix has spent time with the Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers, Las Vegas Raiders and Denver Broncos as an offseason/practice squad member. “I had an opportunity back in October to go down to Tuscaloosa and spend time with the 2012 championship reunion,” Clinton-Dix shared. “We had a big weekend for that, and I got to spend time with some of my academic advisors.

Alabama had two former players on its player development staff this past season in Josh Chapman and Denzell Devall. Another former player, Jamey Mosley, serves ...

Another former player, Jamey Mosley, serves as an analyst on the coaching staff. The former first-round pick of the Green Bay Packers spent three seasons, 2011-13, at Alabama. “So that’s where my life is headed is into coaching and helping these kids ...

Former Alabama defensive back HaHa Clinton Dix announced he will be rejoining the Crimson Tide on its coaching staff.

[members of the Green Bay media.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1SmXO5GMwg) “We had a big weekend for that, and I got to spend time with some of my academic advisors. He would later be traded to Washington in 2018 and then to Chicago in 2019 before announcing his retirement in 2022. His on-field success with the Crimson Tide led to him becoming a first-round draft pick by the Packers in the 2014 NFL Draft.

How to watch the Alabama Crimson Tide take on the Kansas State Wildcats in the Allstate Sugar Bowl.

The Crimson Tide and the Wildcats just missed the College Football Playoff and will compete in the high-level bowl game in New Orleans at Caesar's Superdome, ...

The Crimson Tide has too much talent, and this doesn’t look like a team that doesn’t want to be in the Sugar Bowl. Alabama 34, Kansas State 24: Had Bryce Young and Will Anderson decided not to play, there would be every reason to call the Wildcats in an upset. Young and Anderson, however, will be the best player on the field at any given time, and you can expect big performances in what will almost certainly be their farewell game at the college level. But you can't expect me to pick against Bryce Young in the final game of his college career. Alabama 30, Kansas State 20: Quarterback Bryce Young and linebacker Will Anderson Jr. Key players including Bryce Young and linebacker Will Anderson chose to participate in the matchup while Kansas State backup quarterback Will Howard steps in for an injured Adrian Martinez.

SportsLine's model simulated the Sugar Bowl 2022 featuring Kansas State Wildcats vs. Alabama Crimson Tide 10000 times.

- Alabama vs. Here are the [college football odds](https://www.sportsline.com/college-football/odds/futures/) and trends for Kansas State vs. The Wildcats led the Big 12 in giving up only 20.1 points per game, and Kansas State ranked in the top three of the conference in total yards allowed (365.8 per game) and passing yards allowed (216.9 per game). Kansas State in the Sugar Bowl 2022? On the offensive side, Kansas State is electric on the ground, averaging 5.1 yards per carry and 209.6 rushing yards per game. Kansas State is averaging 33.2 points per game, putting pressure on the opposition. [Bryce Young](/college-football/players/3161957/bryce-young/) is one of the best players in college football, and the Crimson Tide are electric and efficient. Kansas State](https://www.sportsline.com/college-football/game-forecast/NCAAF_20221231_BAMA@KSTATE/) and just locked in its picks and Sugar Bowl 2022 predictions. Before finalizing any Kansas State vs. [You can visit SportsLine now to see the model's picks](https://www.sportsline.com/insiders/alabama-vs-kansas-state-line-picks-advanced-computer-college-football-model-releases-selections-for-sugar-bowl-matchup/#ttag=12302022_agg_cbssports_picks_football_ncaa_model_SugarBowlCFB). Kansas State odds. 5 [Alabama Crimson Tide](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/teams/BAMA/alabama-crimson-tide/) in the 2022 Sugar Bowl in New Orleans.

Here's our pick for Saturday's Sugar Bowl between Alabama and Kansas State at 12 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Even though money has come in on Alabama and moved the line from -4 to -6.5, there’s still some meat on this bone as the Tide should have enough firepower to get separation against a solid, but not elite Kansas State outfit. Kansas State ranked 105th in line yards and boasted the 76th-best pass rush according to Pro Football Focus, so Alabama should be able to push their way through this front seven. That pass rush got great news ahead of this game, too, as star pass rusher Will Anderson has opted to play. There is going to be a lot of talk about Alabama’s motivation for this game. ET, ESPN) prediction: Alabama -6.5 Alabama is a 6.5-point favorite.

Bryce Young will take the field one more time for Alabama Football in the Sugar Bowl against Kansas State. How does the Wildcat defense stack up?

The loss of two of their best defensive backs could be a difference-maker in this game. Junior linebacker Austin Moore leads Kansas State with 85 tackles, and has 10.0 tackles for loss on the season. The Wildcats have a couple playmakers on the back end, but the secondary has been gutted by injuries in recent weeks. If all else fails, Alabama should be able to run the ball and lean on Kansas State, as they did to Cincinnati last season. Bryce Young and other members of the offense may be donning Alabama uniforms for the last time. Kansas State is even worse against the run.

Alabama football joined other teams in the SEC and across college football in honoring late Mississippi State coach Mike Leach.

The Crimson Tide will wear a helmet patch honoring him for the Sugar Bowl. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Sharon, their children and the entire Mississippi State family." "We are deeply saddened by his unexpected passing," Saban wrote. 9 Kansas State (10-3) on Saturday (11 a.m., ESPN). He was an offensive innovator who always did things his way and was admired for it. [Alabama football](https://www.tuscaloosanews.com/story/sports/college/football/2022/12/31/alabama-football-score-kansas-state-sugar-bowl-live-updates/69749444007/) became the latest team in college football to pay tribute to late Mississippi State coach [Mike Leach](https://www.clarionledger.com/story/sports/college/mississippi-state/2022/12/13/mike-leach-death-update-mississippi-state-football-coach-heart-attack/69719742007/).

Leach, the former Mississippi State head coach, died after a battle with. Many fans, players, and coaches mourned the death of the legendary head coach. Ahead ...

The Crimson State had a modestly successful regular season, going 10-2 for the season. Ahead of their Sugar Bowl game against Kansas City, the Alabama football program decided to honor Mike Leach in [ their own special way](https://twitter.com/AlabamaFTBL/status/1609168761709367296). [Mike Leach passed away](https://clutchpoints.com/mississippi-state-football-news-mike-leach-passes-away-61).

Alabama's football team will wear a helmet sticker honoring former Mississippi State coach Mike Leach during Saturday's Sugar Bowl.

The “MIKE” decal includes a pirate-themed cowbell in place of the letter “I.” [@mikerodak](https://twitter.com/mikerodak). [on Twitter](https://twitter.com/AlabamaFTBL/status/1609168761709367296/photo/1) of the sticker, which will be placed on the back of the helmet.

During Saturday's Allstate Sugar Bowl the Alabama football team will honor the late Mike Leach with a special helmet decal.

Alabama has decided to put a simple new decal on their helmets to honor the passing of Mississippi State head coach Mike Leach. 5 Alabama Crimson Tide are on the verge of taking on the No. [Nick Saban](https://rolltidewire.usatoday.com/tag/nick-saban/) and the No.

Crimson Tide fans also aren't used to missing the College Football Playoff, but they need to get over it this week.

[Nick Saban Calls This Week's Sugar Bowl Prep 'Most Enjoyable Bowl Practice' He's Had](https://www.si.com/college/alabama/bamacentral/nick-saban-calls-this-weeks-sugar-bowl-prep-most-enjoyable-bowl-practice-hes-had) [How to Watch the Sugar Bowl: Alabama vs. “Folks who are knowledgeable in this that I reached out to in the last couple of days who would have insight, I said, ‘Would Bill [Belichick] want Bill O’Brien?’ Because that question has really not been asked. 5 ranking, and came oh-so-close to still making the College Football Playoff. [and in his opinion should happen](https://www.si.com/nfl/2022/12/28/2022-nfl-week-16-mailbag-tom-brady-jimmy-garoppolo-derek-carr)), but other teams including the Texans and Raiders might be a possibility if they make a move. They were also pretty good, have good coaches, and took advantage of the situation. 30, 2022 All this week in New Orleans everyone's been asked different versions of the same question, what happened to this team? 30, 1955 – Sept. Another former Saban assistant coach at LSU, Will Muschamp was set to be paid $15.3 million after being firing by South Carolina, but agreed to a lump sum payment of $12.9 million. "This letter will confirm our recent conversations about my status as Head Football Coach. When LSU signed Brian Kelly to a 10-year deal with $100 million, it was on top of Ed Orgeron receiving a $17.1 million buyout. On the other end of the scale is a chance to finish out.

Follow along here for live Sugar Bowl updates as No. 9 Kansas State takes on No. 5 Alabama at Caesars Superdome.

Kansas State gambled and converted on two fourth-down plays to get to the Alabama 2-yard line. Bryce Young hit Jermaine Burton for the 12-yard touchdown with 10 seconds left in the half. Alabama in the Sugar Bowl](https://www.cjonline.com/story/sports/college/cat-zone/2022/12/29/kansas-state-football-vs-alabama-how-watch-2022-sugar-bowl-livestream-radio-tv-channel/69690381007/) Deuce Vaughn, who scored the Wildcats' lone touchdown on an 88-yard run has 15 carries for 108 yards. That's how the quarter ends. It's heads, and Alabama defers. The kick capped an eight-play, 54-yard drive for K-State, which included a 36-yard pass from Will Howard to DJ Giddens. Young is 10 of 15 for 211 yards and three touchdowns. Giddens had been on for Deuce Vaughn, who was injured on the first possession of the half. 5 Alabama in the first-ever meeting between the two teams at Caesars Superdome. Beating Alabama also would make it the biggest bowl triumph, eclipsing the 1997 Fiesta Bowl win over Syracuse. And don't forget All-America running back Deuce Vaughn.

The Crimson Tide return to the non-CFP Sugar Bowl for the first time since losing to Oklahoma in 2014.

Kansas State with the latest updates from the Sugar Bowl](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/alabama-vs-kansas-state-score-live-updates-college-football-scores-sugar-bowl-2022-coverage-highlights/live/) [Nebraska](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/teams/NEB/nebraska-cornhuskers/) transfer quarterback [Adrian Martinez](/college-football/players/2966360/adrian-martinez/) led Kansas State for much of the season, but was eventually sidelined with various injuries. 1 team but struggled in losses to [Tennessee](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/teams/TENN/tennessee-volunteers/) and [LSU](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/teams/LSU/lsu-tigers/) and nearly dropped other games against [Texas](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/teams/TEXAS/texas-longhorns/) and [Texas A&M](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/teams/TXAM/texas-am-aggies/). [Missouri](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/teams/MIZZOU/missouri-tigers/)) each posted victories over bowl-bound opponents from the other's conference during the 2022 season. [TCU](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/teams/TCU/tcu-horned-frogs/) in overtime of the Big 12 Championship Game to capture its first conference title since 2012. Backup [Will Howard](/college-football/players/3162310/will-howard/) stepped in and played the best football of his career to lead the Wildcats to a Big 12 title. Alabama underperformed the spread by nearly 10 points per games against Power Five opponents with winning records, and the Wildcats are notably better than any victory the Tide came away with in 2022. The jerseys may look similar, but Alabama is far from the world beaters that have dominated [college football](/college-football/) for the past era. Motivation plays a major role in bowl games, and the Wildcats are riding high after winning their first outright Big 12 championship since 2003. 9 [Kansas State](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/teams/KSTATE/kansas-state-wildcats/) on New Year's Eve in the Sugar Bowl in one of the most intriguing matchups of the bowl season. Alabama and Kansas State have never played in the history of their programs. [Alabama](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/teams/BAMA/alabama-crimson-tide/) will take on No.

Players for fifth-ranked Alabama say they aim to prove their Sugar Bowl matchup with Kansas State is meaningful.

“We have a number of kids that are going to have opportunities to play at the next level, but we haven’t had a kid on our football team that’s had an opportunity to play in the Sugar Bowl, and to play in a New Year’s Six game. Howard has gone 4-0 as a starter, including in the Big 12 title game against TCU. “It’s more challenging when that’s sort of a goal for what the players work for all year long and came up short,” Saban said. 12 injury, but Will Howard is slated to remain in his recent role as starter. I never asked anybody, ‘Are you going to play in this game?’” So Saban has to guard against let-downs when his team enters bowl season outside the national title picture. “I’m very pleased that they chose to do this.” The 2008 Crimson Tide was favored against Utah in the Sugar Bowl that season, but lost by two touchdowns. The game will be xid:fr1672146673194ehb) The most basic of plans is the “fubo standard” package, which comprises 121-plus channels for $69.99 per month. MENTAL GAMES: Kansas State lost three of its first nine games, but arrived in New Orleans on a four-game winning streak — including a dramatic overtime victory over No. 31 in the Sugar Bowl.

Live stats, plays and scoring as the Crimson Tide takes on the Wildcats inside the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, La.

- Kansas State marching it down the field again. - Alabama wins the toss and defers. Only once has Kansas State has played in the Superdome, a loss to Tulane in 1988. Sugar Bowl history: This is Alabama's 17th Sugar Bowl appearance (with a 9-7 record), Alabama will be making its eighth trip to a New Year's Six bowl in the current format which began in 2014. Kansas State (10-3, 7-2 Big 12) clinched the Big 12 Championship with a thrilling 31-28 overtime victory over No. Alabama will be playing its 13th game in the Superdome (6-4 in Sugar Bowls, one win over Tulane in 1992, and a BCS Championship win in 2012). - Final Crimson Tide drive of the half is off to a good start. Long field ahead for the Wildcats. The Wildcats march the ball 15 more yards to the ALA 25 after a personal foul on DJ Dale. Will Howard finds Ben Sinnott for 15 yards to the ALA 40. Crimson Tide ball at the KSU 45. Ball inside the ALA 20.

College football bowl season continued on Saturday with two big early matchups in the Sugar Bowl and the Music City Bowl. Here are the top plays!

On the next play, Labas connected with tight end [Luke Lachey](https://www.foxsports.com/college-football/luke-lachey-player) on a 15-yard touchdown. [Jordan Schippers](https://www.foxsports.com/college-football/jordan-schippers-player) powered in a goal-line score. [Music City Bowl: Iowa 21, Kentucky 0](https://www.foxsports.com/college-football/music-city-bowl-iowa-hawkeyes-vs-kentucky-wildcats-dec-31-2022-game-boxscore-37864) Stroud is still writing his Ohio State legacy](https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-football/cj-stroud-ohio-state-legacy-peach-bowl-vs-georgia) [Max Duggan, CJ Stroud and 6 other NFL Draft prospects with most to gain in New Year’s bowls](https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-football/max-duggan-cj-stroud-and-6-other-nfl-draft-prospects-with-most-to-gain-in-new-years-bowls) [NFL size, Olympic speed: Meet a most unique recruit](https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-football/michigan-among-suitors-for-nyckoles-harbor-college-football-track-recruit) [Bowl games 2022: Schedule, picks, results for all 43 games](https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-football/college-football-bowl-games-2022-schedule-for-all-43-games) [Will Howard](https://www.foxsports.com/college-football/will-howard-player) was later intercepted by defensive back [Jordan Battle](https://www.foxsports.com/college-football/jordan-battle-player). On the very next play, running back [Jase McClellan](https://www.foxsports.com/college-football/jase-mcclellan-player) ran in a 17-yard score, giving the Crimson Tide a 35-10 lead with 13 minutes still remaining in the third quarter. Two plays later, Young hit tight end [Cameron Latu](https://www.foxsports.com/college-football/cameron-latu-player) for a touchdown, giving Alabama a 14-10 lead. Three plays later, Young hit wide receiver [Isaiah Bond](https://www.foxsports.com/college-football/isaiah-bond-player) for a 6-yard touchdown, pulling the Crimson Tide to within three. Young threw five touchdown passes to five different players and got a send-off in the fourth quarter. The score gave Alabama a 42-13 lead. Three plays later, they made the Wildcats pay dearly, as Young threw a pinpoint, 32-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver After making a goal-line stand on an 18-play Kansas State drive, Alabama went 98 yards for its third touchdown.

NEW ORLEANS — Alabama football quarterback Bryce Young showed the form that won him the 2021 Heisman Trophy on Saturday at the Sugar Bowl at Caesars ...

He lingered on the field long after other players had headed to the locker room, waving to the crowd. would play in the bowl game rather than opting out like many top prospects do. Was it the last time for Young to wear his crimson No. We'll soon know for sure, but all indications are that this was his curtain call. He was replaced by backup Jalen Milroe with just under nine minutes to go in the game. After Alabama's first drive of second half, the Crimson Tide was ahead 28-10 and Young had a 270.7 passer rating from completing 12 of 17 pass attempts for 248 yards and four touchdowns.

One of the most interesting developments of the college football postseason was the Alabama Crimson Tide not making the College Football Playoff. There were ...

But I also want Michigan to win and then blow the doors off Georgia in the national title game. [December 31, 2022] Several college football fans have weighed in on Alabama not making it into the postseason, with multiple people on both sides of the argument.

The likely final game of Bryce Young's three seasons as Alabama's starting quarterback was among his most efficient. He threw five touchdown passes on 15 ...

Burton, Brooks, Bond and fellow freshman Kobe Prentice -- who shook a defender for a 47-yard touchdown on the final play of the third quarter -- all caught touchdown passes from Young. But on fourth-and-goal from the 2-yard line, Howard missed his throw to the end zone and Kansas State never threatened again while the game was in question. Branch, an expected first-round pick, intercepted K-State quarterback Will Howard in the third quarter, sacked him in the fourth quarter and finished with four tackles for a loss. The touchdown for Latu, a departing fifth-year senior, was his fourth of the season. K-State turned the ball over three plays later, and McClellan answered immediately with a 17-yard run that put the game out of reach for Kansas State at 35-10. It might not have been a storybook, national title-winning ending for Young but it was the next-best scenario for Alabama.

In a year when the deep pass wasn't always there for the Crimson Tide, whether because of the health of Young's shoulder or receivers not getting open deep, Alabama took some shots vs Kansas State. And those rockets landed.

Alabama football players such as Jahmyr Gibbs, Eli Ricks and Tyler Harrell, all who transferred in ahead of the season, discuss their futures.

"I'm going to speak with my coach first," Ricks said. "I'm about to speak to him right now actually. "I'm in between both right now," Harrell said. We're going to see until the time comes." "Those are the three options," Harrell said. "Talk to my parents and Coach Saban," Gibbs said.

In his last game with the Crimson Tide, Young was electric, throwing for 5 touchdowns and more than 300 yards. Here was the fifth touchdown pass, a strong ...

The next stop for Young is the 2023 NFL Draft, where he’ll have a chance to be the No. [December 31, 2022]

Two of Alabama's transfer portal additions before the 2022 season will mull their futures in the coming days.

“We had a lot of plays that LSU called similar but we did a lot of different things,” he said. “Just learning the system,” Ricks said of the transition. Really just could have had a better drop on the route. “It was definitely a learning experience for me, coming from the SEC from the ACC,” he said. 1 wide receiver stalled behind [the receiver who caught the pass], so I could have just had a better drop. That lingered into his time at Alabama, and he did not win a competition to start at cornerback when the season began. “Really just focusing on that, and really just listening to what he says. “I had a couple of little ding-up injuries earlier off in the season. Harrell suffered a foot injury in the preseason that kept him out until midseason, and his playing time was scarce after that. He was speculated as a potential first-round pick in the spring, although the 6-foot-2 former five-star prospect is no longer among the top 10 It’s really as simple as that.” It was the first time either had been allowed to speak to reporters since arriving at Alabama.

Kansas State coach Chris Klieman's postgame comments after Alabama's 45-20 win over the Wildcats in the Sugar Bowl.

And I didn’t get a chance to see him. What were the challenges like to try to defend against him? Coach, you were able to get Adrian [Martinez] in there for a couple of snaps in the first half. We were able to get some hits on him. Klieman: “I was excited that Adrian got a chance to play in a bowl game. And we didn’t execute it the way that it needed to be executed. But what impressed you about the ground he was able to cover against your offense? Klieman: “Yes, just the power of belief and the power of player ownership. But we also knew we had to take some chances because of the last two drives that they had on offense, where we struggled to slow them down. We didn’t make a tackle when we needed to make a tackle. We were trying to put it between the two guys. And we’ve gone for it on fourth down all season long ‑‑ when we had a chance to go up 17‑14.”

To be honest, it hasn't been the easiest run for this year's leaders. Yes, the Crimson Tide won the College Football Playoff National Championship over Ohio ...

But I’m most proud that there was a team out there that cared — that represents the University of Alabama in a first‑class way in the way they competed and the way they played in the game.” “But at the same time, I’m proud that we came to the Sugar Bowl, and proud that we won the Sugar Bowl. We got off to a great start in the second half with a big play and two scores in the first two minutes in the second half, which kind of broke the game open. One of the Crimson Tide’s quietest stars had one of the best games of his career, if not the best. “For us to finish this season the right way means a lot.” I mean, the practices that we had, all the film study that we had to go through, no school, none of that, and everybody just locked in. “I think that there was a team out there today that cared,” head coach Nick Saban said. Just the brotherhood that was in there, I mean, it was amazing. After leaving Indianapolis bitter in January, the Crimson Tide was selected as the top team in the country before the season. And yet, the team stayed together. But many of the key players on this year’s team didn’t get to contribute much to that. The three of them knew the expectations this Alabama team had.

Alabama football's receivers put on a show in the win over Kansas State in the Sugar Bowl. And the ones who did will be back next season.

He's shown he can make big plays; and if he can do that on an even more consistent basis his junior year, he could be in for a big season. Some freshman receivers even made some big plays in the Sugar Bowl. He caught two passes for 51 yards and a touchdown vs. Burton caught three passes for 87 yards and a touchdown. The receiving options were limited for Young as many of the receivers without Williams and Metchie struggled to get separation and reliably catch passes in big moments. "It was a great job of taking advantage of that with the play‑calling, and just us as a whole. Then in the final four games of the season, he caught 18 passes for 352 yards and four touchdowns. Especially if he can keep playing like he has the past few games. After transferring from Georgia ahead of the season, Burton only caught one touchdown against an SEC opponent before November. An offense known for elite receiver play the past few seasons only saw that in spurts for much of this season. "I'm excited about the fourth-quarter program and the new guys coming in, seeing how they adjust to it," Burton said. [Grading Alabama football in Sugar Bowl vs.

In what was likely the last game in Alabama Crimson Tide uniform, quarterback Bryce Young didn't disappoint. Young passed for 321 yards and five touchdowns ...

After saying all week that they were treating the Sugar Bowl like a championship game, the Crimson Tide backed it up. The featured Dri-Fit technology will keep you cool and dry in a replica of what Bryce Young and the Alabama Crimson Tide wear on Saturdays. [Bryce Young Alabama Crimson Tide Nike NIL Replica Football Jersey ](https://go.skimresources.com/?id=126006X1587343&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fanatics.com%2Fcollege%2Falabama-crimson-tide%2Fbryce-young-alabama-crimson-tide-nike-nil-replica-football-jersey-crimson%2Fo-16%2Bt-01350057%2Bp-501197754507%2Bz-9-1519727297%3F_ref%3Dp-SRP%3Am-GRID%3Ai-r0c0%3Apo-0)- Crimson - and pay just $104.99.