Top 5 non-playoff college football bowl games in 2022-23

2. Sugar Bowl: No. 9 Kansas State vs No. 5 Alabama (Dec. 31)

Nick Saban did his best to lobby Alabama into the College Football Playoff but it wasn’t meant to be. Instead, the Crimson Tide settled for the Sugar Bowl where Kansas State, the Big 12 champion will be the opponent.

The committee touted the Big 12 and many said it was stronger than it appeared. If so, Kansas State should have no problem making this a competitive game. Alabama is really good against the run and the defense is probably better than any K-State has faced.

Bryce Young is also likely to finish up his college career and you know the Heisman Trophy winner from 2021 will want to go out on a high note.

I’m sure Alabama and Saban will want to prove they should have made the playoff and whipping Kansas State gives them that right.

Bowl games are about motivation though and Kansas State will be plenty motivated. If Saban gets his team to match that motivation, then watch out.

Either way, it should be a hard-hitting game and an important one for the Big 12 which will be losing Texas and Oklahoma soon.