The 2022 AutoZone Liberty Bowl is a matchup between two programs with different outlooks on the season. On one side of the spectrum, you have the Razorbacks from Arkansas, who have not had the season many expected them to have. For the Jayhawks of Kansas, a trip to the AutoZone Liberty Bowl makes their entire season. In a way, Kansas has had the season that many around the country thought impossible. Arkansas has struggled with injuries and consistency all season.

Heading into Bowl season, Arkansas has to be the most confusing program to pinpoint. Arkansas has shown signs of life this season with wins over Ole Miss, Cincinnati, and South Carolina. Yet, the Razorbacks have had losses that don’t much much sense; Texas A&M, Missouri, and Liberty. Razorback fans have had to watch this team have the highest of highs and lowest of lows. The AutoZone Liberty Bowl is the final test this season to prove to the Razorback Nation that the future of Arkansas Football is still as bright as it seemed at the end of last season.

Three days ago, KJ Jefferson himself announced to the Razorbacks Nation that he would return to school in 2023. That announcement alone sparked something within the program that left Coach Pittman excited for the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. The AutoZone Liberty Bowl is practically a home game for the Arkansas Razorbacks, as Memphis is home to one of the largest alumni bases in the country for Arkansas. Arkansas has had a long history of success within the city limits of Memphis, Tennessee. From basketball days at the Pyramid and football in the Liberty Bowl. Arkansas fans will feel right at home for the AutoZone Liberty Bowl.

For Kansas, 2022 has brought a usual amount of success to the program. Coach Leipold has changed Kansas Football for the better. Sure, a 6-6 at most programs is not a measure of success. Yet, this is Kansas Football. Kansas Football has long been the laughingstock of college football with little success to its name. All of that changed in 2022. Kansas Football hosted College Game Day, was ranked in the top 25, and even snuck in wins over Houston, Oklahoma State, and West Virginia.

Kansas Football earns a trip to the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, looking to build off the success of 2022 and cement the legacy of this program for the future. A win over Arkansas in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl will position Kansas for an unthinkable 2023 season with copious amounts of winning.