Nick Saban provides initial impressions of Kansas State

For the second time since its inception, Alabama has missed the College Football Playoffs. Instead, they’re set to battle a white-hot Kansas State squad fresh off a high Big-12 Championship overtime victory over TCU.

Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban wasn’t watching the game, but he had nothing but good things to say about what he’s seen from afar.

“I didn’t have an opportunity to watch the [Big-12 Championship game], although that was an outstanding victory for them,” Saban said Sunday. “We had recruits in this weekend, so we didn’t get a chance to see the game or get a chance to view their film. But we have a tremendous respect for them, their accomplishments, their players, their coaches and what they’ve been able to do this season.”

Saban will be wanting to get his hands on the film from K-State’s conference title sooner rather than later because he’s going to have to do something that almost no team has been able to do this season – contain star running back Deuce Vaughn.

Compiling over 1,400 rushing yards this season, Alabama has only had to face two other running backs – Texas‘ Bijan Robinson and Ole Miss‘ Quinshon Judkins – finished the regular season with more.

The Sugar Bowl will also serve as the first-ever meeting between the two programs.

“We’ve always had a tremendous amount of respect for Kansas State. They play with toughness, they’re very well coached,” Saban said. “They’re a very disciplined team. They’re ball-hawkers, they attack the ball – I had a lot of respect for coach Snyder when he was there and the great job he did for many, many years. Chris has certainly picked up and built what is turned out to be an outstanding team for this year.”

Kickoff between the Crimson Tide and Wildcats in the Sugar Bowl is set for New Year’s Eve at noon ET live from the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on ESPN.