Alabama vs Kansas State Football Prediction & Picks (2022 Sugar Bowl): Will the Tide’s departing stars go out winners in New Orleans?

After ending TCU’s perfect season in the Big 12 Championship Game, Kansas State will try to cap off a memorable season tomorrow with a win over Alabama in the 2022 Allstate Sugar Bowl in New Orleans.

The matchup between the Wildcats (10-3, 7-2 Big 12) and Crimson Tide (10-2, 6-2 SEC) at the Bovada Superdome in New Orleans is scheduled for a noon ET (11:00 am local time) kickoff, and all of the action can be seen live on ESPN and the ESPN app.

With their thrilling overtime win against TCU earlier this month, Chris Klieman’s Wildcats won the program’s first Big 12 title since 2012, in the period in which the conference didn’t have a championship game.

This will mark KSU’s first appearance in one of the major bowls since their Fiesta Bowl loss to Oregon in that 2012 season, and a win over Alabama in their first-ever Sugar Bowl appearance would give the program 11 wins for the first time since that season.

For the Crimson Tide, a Sugar Bowl appearance is a disappointment when they expected to make the College Football Playoff for the eighth time.

But will they come to play and finish with 11 wins for the 12th straight season, or will the Wildcats upset the odds to cap an incredible year?

Read on for our Kansas State vs Alabama prediction, along with our 2022 Sugar Bowl picks and betting analysis.

Alabama vs Kansas State Odds

Game odds are via BetOnline as of Friday, December 30, 2022, at 5:30 pm ET. Odds from our other recommended legal sports betting sites may also appear in this article.

Spread

• Alabama -7 (-110)
• Kansas State +7 (-110)

Over/Under

• Over 55.5 (-114)
• Under 55.5 (-106)

Moneyline

• Alabama -295
• Kansas State +235

Young, Anderson Look to Cap Collegiate Careers with Sugar Success

While many 2023 NFL Draft prospects have opted out of playing in their team’s bowl games, Alabama will have the services of two players who will hear their names called early on draft night.

Quarterback Bryce Young missed the Texas A&M game due to injury and didn’t match his numbers from last year’s Heisman Trophy-winning campaign, but he is in the mix to be the first overall pick come April.

He will suit up for the Crimson Tide one last time in New Orleans, and so will star outside linebacker Will Anderson Jr., the nation’s top defensive player and also a potential option to be picked first overall.

As disappointing as missing out on the CFP is for Alabama, having Young and Anderson commit to play with their teammates one last time instead of taking the safer option of sitting out should be a major motivator for the rest of the team.

Alabama vs Kansas State Prediction and Picks

Alabama vs Kansas State Prediction: Alabama to win

Alabama vs Kansas State Picks: Alabama -7 & Alabama team total over 31.5

While Alabama -7 at -110 odds is a popular find, there’s quite a bit of variety when it comes to their team total.

But with a little over 18 hours until kickoff, Bovada Sportsbook is offering Alabama over 31.5 for even money, and that might be my favorite play on Saturday’s college football card.

Kansas State has had a highly impressive season, and the Wildcats shouldn’t be dismissed just because Anderson and Young are playing for Alabama.

Despite the presence of the best defensive player in college football, Alabama’s defense hasn’t been dominant this season. Kansas State QB Will Howard and RB Deuce Vaughn could prove to be a real challenge.

But there’s no question who should win. And as I noted, I expect Anderson and Young electing to play in the Sugar Bowl instead of opting out to be a major motivator for the entire team. Look for the Tide to roll in New Orleans and for their headliners to head to the next level with one final win.