The 2022 Allstate Sugar Bowl features the 7th ranked 11-2 Baylor Bears against the 8th ranked 10-2 Ole Miss Rebels. Here is the 2022 Allstate Sugar Bowl Preview.
No.7 Baylor Bears (11-2)
Dave Aranda has done an outstanding job with Baylor in just two years of work. He’s managed to win the Big12 already – the first time a team not named Oklahoma has won since 2014. It’s the fourth 11-win season in program history. They’ll be trying for a program best 12th win in the bowl game.
Baylor’s offense is powered mostly by the running game. They lead the Big 12 and are 16th in the country in rushing yards per game. Senior Abram Smith is the go to back with a ridiculous 1,429 yards and 12 touchdowns. Secondary runningback Trestan Ebner can hold his own too however with 763 yards of his own. Starting quarterback Gerry Bohanon will also be back after missing the final three games with injury.
Defensively the Bears are a force. They’re second in the Big 12 in scoring defense and 4th in total defense. They excel against the run which bodes well with Ole Miss’s running capabilities. Baylor also is among the best at forcing turnovers. The Rebels will need to keep their eyes on safety JT Woods who leads the team with four interceptions.
No.8 Ole Miss Rebels (10-2)
Lane Kiffin has also done outstandingly with Ole Miss in his two years. He has completely turned the program around in a very short amount of time. It’s the first winning season the Rebels have had since 2015 when they also played in the Sugar Bowl. It is also the first 10-win regular season in program history.
Matt Corral is the name that comes to mind but the Ole Miss backfield has done a lot of damage this year. The Rebels use a three pronged attack of Jerrion Ealy, Snoop Conner and Henry Parrish. Ealy may be one of the best all-purpose backs in the SEC while Snoop Conner is a bruiser up the middle. Throw in Corral’s 3,339 through the air as well as his ability with his legs and this offense is hard to stop.
The Ole Miss defense is vastly improved from years previous. DJ Durkin has utilized the portal very well and provided much needed help from guys like Chase Campbell, Mark Robinson, Jake Springer, and others. On the defensive front Sam Williams is a monster, second in the conference in sacks with 12.5.
Prediction
Baylor’s defense is going to be pushed in ways it hasn’t seen before. They’re going to have to respect Corral’s arm first and foremost which is going to open up lanes in the running game. Ole Miss has protected the ball very well this season so they may be unable to rely on turnovers. On the other side Baylor’s strong running game hits the Ole Miss defense right where it’s the weakest. In the end, expect too much from the Ole Miss offense.
Baylor Bears: 21, Ole Miss Rebels: 31
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