As Alabama gears up for its Rose Bowl showdown against No. 1 Indiana on Jan. 1, there’s no margin for error.
The Crimson Tide may have escaped Oklahoma with a win, but if they fall behind early again, they’ll be staring down a much steeper hill to climb. Indiana isn’t just another playoff team-they’re a well-oiled, top-ranked machine.
For Alabama to punch its ticket to the next round of the College Football Playoff, they’ll need more than just talent. They’ll need timely execution, fewer lapses, and a few key players to rise to the moment.
Let’s break down three names who could swing the game for Alabama in Pasadena.
Ryan Williams: A Spark Waiting to Ignite
There’s no shortage of weapons in Alabama’s wide receiver room. Germie Bernard, Isaiah Horton, and Lotzeir Brooks have all stepped up at different points this season, giving quarterback Ty Simpson plenty of options.
But the receiver with arguably the highest ceiling-sophomore Ryan Williams-has been quiet lately. Too quiet.
Williams is still second on the team in both receptions and receiving yards, but you wouldn’t know it from his recent stat lines. He was held without a catch in the regular-season finale and managed just one grab against Oklahoma. That’s not the level of production Alabama envisioned from a player many expected to be a breakout star this year.
Head coach Kalen DeBoer hasn’t shown any concern publicly, noting after the Auburn game that the offense doesn’t always run through specific receivers and that sometimes the ball just doesn’t find a guy. But DeBoer also acknowledged the need to be more intentional about getting Williams involved: “He’s a playmaker for us,” he said. And he’s right.
Williams has the kind of game-breaking speed and route-running polish that can change the complexion of a matchup in one snap. If Alabama can scheme him open or if Simpson can find him in stride early, it could force Indiana to adjust their coverage-and that opens things up for everyone else. In a game where every possession will matter, Williams could be the X-factor Alabama needs.
Michael Carroll: Holding the Edge Against a Premier Front
Ty Simpson looked more comfortable against Oklahoma than he had in weeks, and that wasn’t by accident. Midway through the second quarter, he found his rhythm-starting with a clutch third-down completion to Brooks-and never looked back.
But let’s not sugarcoat it: Simpson was still under fire for much of the game. Alabama gave up four sacks, and the offensive line had its hands full.
That pressure isn’t going away. Indiana brings one of the stingiest defenses in the country to Pasadena, ranking fourth nationally.
They’re fast, they’re physical, and they don’t let quarterbacks get comfortable. Which brings us to Michael Carroll.
The true freshman has held his own at right tackle this season, showing flashes of maturity well beyond his age. But he’s also had his share of freshman moments-missed assignments, penalties, and the occasional breakdown in protection. Against Indiana, those mistakes can’t happen.
On the left side, Kadyn Proctor has been a stabilizing force. But Carroll will be tested early and often.
Indiana’s edge rushers are relentless, and if they sense weakness, they’ll exploit it. If Carroll can hold up and give Simpson the time he needs, Alabama’s offense can stay balanced and dangerous.
If not, it could be a long afternoon in Pasadena.
Bray Hubbard: The Defensive Clutch Gene
Bray Hubbard has been one of the most consistent-and clutch-players on Alabama’s defense all season. Outside of a rough outing against Florida State, the Mississippi native has been everything you want in a safety: smart, physical, and always around the ball.
He’s earned first-team All-SEC honors for a reason. Whether he’s dropping into coverage or creeping into the box, Hubbard has a knack for making the right read and the big play. Head coach Kalen DeBoer praised him earlier this week, calling him “a playmaker in the big moments” and highlighting his ability to come up with timely interceptions and impact plays.
This isn’t about Hubbard needing to bounce back from a slump-he’s been steady. But in a game where Alabama may need a turnover or two to flip the script, Hubbard’s instincts and timing could be the difference. If he can bait Indiana’s quarterback into a mistake or come up with a momentum-shifting hit, it could tilt the field in Alabama’s favor.
The Bottom Line
Alabama doesn’t need a perfect game to beat Indiana-but they do need their stars to show up. Ryan Williams needs to reassert himself as a go-to target.
Michael Carroll has to play beyond his years against an elite front. And Bray Hubbard?
He just needs to keep doing what he’s done all year-make the big plays when they matter most.
The Rose Bowl stage is set. Now it’s time to see who’s ready to rise to the occasion.