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Sugar Bowl: Alabama Vs. Kansas State New Year’s Six Preview, Prediction

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Sugar Bowl: Alabama Vs. Kansas State New Year’s Six Preview, Prediction


The Alabama Crimson Tide (10-2) tackle the Kansas State Wildcats (10-3) within the Sugar Bowl, a New 12 months’s Six bowl recreation in Bowl Season. Kickoff comes from Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, La., on Saturday, Dec. 31, at 11:00 a.m. CT.

Can the upstart Wildcats pull off one other upset of their greatest bowl recreation since 2012?

Sizing Up The Alabama Crimson Tide

Protecting up the 10-2 document for Alabama, you’d suppose this is among the most disappointing groups Nick Saban’s ever had in Tuscaloosa. From his standpoint, you would be proper.

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Two losses within the common season knocked Alabama out of the CFP race sooner than ever earlier than, with this yr’s Playoff being simply the second time the Tide didn’t make it. Deficiencies on protection and the offensive line value Alabama a pair of video games by a grand complete of 4 factors.

Bryce Younger adopted up his Heisman-winning season with one other statistically-excellent yr, however not sufficient to be invited again to New York this season. For the primary time in ages, the Crimson Tide did not roster a prime receiver within the nation, with Ja’Corey Brooks main the way in which with simply 623 receiving yards.

As a substitute, it was do-it-all utility again Jahmyr Gibbs that shone, main the workforce in speeding (850 yards) and coming in third in receiving (376).

On the opposite aspect of the ball, immense expertise went majorly under-appreciated, with celebrity Will Anderson not fairly following up his 32-tackle-for-loss season in spectacular trend. Regardless, Anderson and a number of teammates will hear their title known as on the opening night time of the NFL Draft in April.

It is fairly attainable that all of us jumped on our first likelihood to rely Alabama out as a result of they weren’t wonderful this yr.

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Sizing Up The Kansas State Wildcats

On the whole different finish of the spectrum, Kansas State was talked about fairly a bit with their rise to prominence. Wonderful play from Adrian Martinez and Will Howard (in aid) propelled Okay-State to a 10-win season and their first outright Massive 12 championship since 2003.

The foundation of their success comes from their terrific teaching workers, headed by Chris Kliemann and Wildcat legend turned OC Collin Klein. They maintained a degree of excessive offensive play whereas additionally decreasing the previously-lucrative workload of operating again Deuce Vaughn.

Defensively is the place Okay-State actually shone by means of. Sport wrecker “King” Felix Anudike-Uzomah anchored a line of defense that pressured the Twelfth-most turnovers within the nation.

Kansas State’s greatest weapon, although, is their versatility. When the run recreation could not get going, the air recreation did. When the offense was sluggish out of the gate, the protection stepped up. Kansas State is provided to beat groups in a myriad of how, highlighted by their Massive 12 Championship victory over TCU.

Notable Accidents, Decide Outs

Alabama: WR JoJo Earle (switch), OL Javion Cohen (switch)

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Kansas State: None

Why Alabama Can Win

4 complete factors separate Alabama from being unbeaten and within the CFP. 4.

Each of these losses got here to ranked groups on the street. To say this Alabama workforce is worse off as a result of they’ve two losses is a farce.

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Each Younger and Anderson will play on this recreation regardless of being excessive NFL Draft prospects. No decide outs right here, the Tide are at full power.

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Whereas the Tide do not have a game-breaking receiver this season, their offense as an entire is third in scoring (41.4 factors per recreation) and twentieth in effectivity. Younger remains to be a Heisman-level quarterback able to bailing his workforce out at any time when they want.

And on protection, they nonetheless have immeasurable expertise. Anderson solely put up fewer stats than final season due to the quantity of consideration he acquired from double and triple groups.

On the again finish, Alabama fields Jordan Battle, a possible first-round security that leads the secondary. On their greatest days, Alabama’s protection is pretty much as good as any.

Lastly, teaching expertise issues and nobody is extra battle-tested in huge time video games than Saban. The Tide can win on a expertise and training benefit alone.

Why Kansas State Can Win

Except for the offensive line and occasional defensive meltdowns, this Alabama dedicated extra penalties than any Saban-led workforce ever. Actually, solely 4 groups in all the nation dedicated extra penalty yards per recreation than Bama. Imperfection in video games like this results in alternative and Kansas State is a workforce totally able to capitalizing on undisciplined play.

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Whereas the Sugar Bowl maintains its standing as a excessive honor for its contributors, this could’t really feel like something however a comfort prize for the Crimson Tide. There isn’t any dialogue available– this recreation means the world extra to Kliemann and Kansas State.

And motivation in these video games is a significant factor.

Kansas State already beat the chances within the Massive 12 Championship recreation, definitely they’ve another in them. Howard is a troublesome child with a powerful want to win.

As with each workforce that performs Alabama, the Tide are going to get Kansas State’s pinnacle effort.

Alabama Vs. Kansas State Prediction

Pinnacle effort and simply sufficient expertise and grit is a profitable recipe in Bowl Season. Already this yr, we have seen upsets predicated on the need and toughness to win the sport– Center Tennessee, Troy, and New Mexico State all pulled upsets in comparable trend.

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Kansas State is the extra disciplined workforce this season and I do not anticipate them to beat themselves. Alabama however, I not solely anticipate them to beat themselves on this recreation, however truly predict it.

The Wildcats are licking their chops on the alternative to play this recreation. Signal me up for an additional Sugar Bowl win by the Massive 12.

The decide: Kansas State 29-26


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Alabama reality show star dead at 42 was ‘full of life, love and laughter’

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Alabama reality show star dead at 42 was ‘full of life, love and laughter’


Ne’Keshia “Keke” Dawson Jabbar, one of the stars of the reality show “Love & Marriage: Huntsville,” died Tuesday, according to a statement from her family.

TMZ reported Jabbar was 42.

A cause of death was not immediately known.

The statement was read on the YouTube channel of vlogger Marcella Speaks.

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“It is with extreme sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Keke. She passed away peacefully at home surrounded by love,” the statement read.

“She was a mom, a sister, a great friend full of life, love and laughter. She will sorely be missed. At this time, we are asking for respect and privacy in our moment of grief while we process this great loss,” the statement continued. It was signed “the Jabbar/Scott Family.”

Jabbar was featured in the most recent seasons of the Oprah Winfrey Network show, which premiered in January 2019 and showcases the lives of prominent Black families in Huntsville.

Jabbar was the cousin of LaTisha Scott, who is featured prominently in the series along with her husband, Marsau Scott.

“At this time we are asking for RESPECT, and PRIVACY in our moment of grief, while we process this great loss!This is hard for our Family!!!!!” LaTisha Scott posted Tuesday to her Instagram account:

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According to her social media profiles, Jabbar was also a writer, editor, author and professor of English at Alabama A&M University in Huntsville.

Charlotte Teague, chairwoman of the university’s English Department, said Jabbar was an instructor in the department several years ago and had not worked for the department in more than five years.

“I am sad to hear of her passing,” Teague said.



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Alabama Power credit union CEO Derrick E. Ragland Jr. named League of Southern Credit Unions Professional of the Year

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Alabama Power credit union CEO Derrick E. Ragland Jr. named League of Southern Credit Unions Professional of the Year


Derrick E. Ragland, Jr., president and CEO of APCO Employees Credit Union, was recently named League of Southern Credit Unions (LSCU) Professional of the Year for the state of Alabama. Awards for Professional and Young Professional of the Year were presented at the 2024 Southeast Credit Union Conference & Expo in



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Jumbo Package: Alabama lands four on Preseason All-American Team

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Jumbo Package: Alabama lands four on Preseason All-American Team


Offensive guard Tyler Booker made the first team, alongside new kicker Graham Nicholson. Nicholson transferred in from Miami of Ohio, where he was a first-team all-American, and won the Lou Groza award as the nation’s top kicker, beating out UA’s Will Reichard.

Booker returns for his junior season as one of Alabama’s offensive line leaders. He remained with the Crimson Tide through the head coach transition from Nick Saban to Kalen DeBoer.

One of his fellow offensive linemen, Washington transfer Parker Brailsford, was named to the second-team list for Alabama. Brailsford missed most of spring practice for personal reasons after following DeBoer from the Huskies, but is primed to return for the season, likely in UA’s starting center job.

Nicholson’s special teams counterpart, punter James Burnip, was also listed for the Crimson Tide. Burnip, a native of Australia, ranked second in the SEC last season, averaging 47.6 yards per punt, and was a semifinalist for the Ray Guy Award, which goes to the top punter in college football.

Check it out! Alabama enters the preseason with four All-Americans, per Walter Camp. It’s also kinda funny that two of them are special teamers, and two of them are transfers.

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Only Tyler Booker and James Burnip are All-Americans from last year’s Alabama squad.

Interestingly (or maybe not), Jalen Milroe was left off of the list. Carson Beck was QB1 and Quinn Ewers was QB2.

I do think Deontae Lawson could be in consideration with any of the other linebackers on the list – however, I totally understand that his injuries the last two seasons have kept him from living up to where I think he can be.

Coming off his best season in Tuscaloosa as a third-year sophomore, Deontae Lawson is arguably Alabama’s most well-known returning starter on defense within the front seven. He’s an alpha in the middle of that unit and loves to stick his face in the fan against run support. With Caleb Downs transferring to Ohio State, the Crimson Tide need Lawson to be the new enforcer of sorts as well. He’s wearing a new number this season, which he says represents a program — and player — in transition of sorts under a different staff.

247 agrees, listing Lawson as a top candidate for SEC DPOY. Lawson taking the next step is going to be critical for Alabama this season.

Off-field issues caused Brailsford to miss most of spring practice (much to the concern of some Bama fans), but it seems as though he has now settled in in Tuscaloosa. Still, Coach Kalen DeBoer and company were wise to add some insurance in the form of Michigan State transfer Geno VanDeMark.

The late spring pickup gives Alabama another veteran and a versatile piece on the interior offensive line. VanDeMark will likely be the top backup at one or both of the guard positions. Bama returns the imposing duo of Tyler Booker and Jaeden Roberts, and getting another experienced player behind them is huge.

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VanDeMark also has experience playing center. Though his game reps at that spot have been limited, he is more experienced than any other center option outside of Brailsford. While this is a very valuable job, it’s hard to believe the senior will be content to settle for a reserve role. Expect VanDeMark to push Brailsford and the guards, ultimately making all parties involved better in the long run.

Hopefully, Brailsford is going to a breath of fresh air for Alabama fans after three straight seasons of generally poor center play. On top of having a season’s worth of good snaps under his belt, a preseason All-American, and a national championship appearance…. He’s also been rumored this offseason to be one of the strongest players in the locker room.

I’m sure everyone saw the interview clip with Jalen Milroe a couple of days ago talking about the “vibe” that coach DeBoer brings to Alabama.

Our favorite blog site of pure envy, DawgNation, saw it too, and immediately had to write an article about how Kirby Smart does none of this “giving compliments” nonsense.

Fact is, Smart hates complacency and fancies the slogan that, “if it isn’t broke, find a way to make it better,” as Dean can attest.

“It was always, you can do this better, you made this play, you got this Pick 6, but you could have gotten to the end zone faster if you took this step, or, you could have read the play faster,” Dean said.

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“Or, you got a sack, but you could have gotten a sack-fumble. So it was never pat yourself on the back.”

Time will tell if DeBoer’s approach will uplift the Tide, or perhaps derail the emotional discipline Saban’s programs most always exhibited.

Those poor guys really have no idea what to do if they aren’t constantly comparing themselves to Alabama.

In recruiting news, Alabama’s picked up another new prediction:

As June closes, Kalen DeBoer and the Alabama Crimson Tide football coaching staff have put together an incredible month of recruiting. Over the past few weeks, Alabama has surged to the No. 2 ranked recruiting class for 2025 and still has plenty of its top targets uncommitted.

One of the most coveted targets is a four-star tight end from El Dorado Hills, California, Kaleb Edwards.

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Edwards is a 6-foot-6 235 prospect who has shown the ability to be a solid end-line blocker but also a legitimate threat in the passing game.

Steve Wiltfong of On3 recently logged an expert prediction for the talented Edwards to commit to the Crimson Tide.

A higher 4-star player and a top 5 TE in the country, Edwards would be a huge addition to the recruiting class. If he does follow what most of the recruiting experts are predicting, he’ll be yet another California native helping to fill out this recruiting class for the Tide. Edwards is expected to announce a commitment on Wednesday.



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