Clear Skies and Crimson Confidence: Why Alabama Likes the Rose Bowl Forecast-and Its History Against Heisman QBs
For Alabama, the sun breaking through the Pasadena clouds might be more than just a weather update-it could be a sign of things lining up nicely ahead of the Rose Bowl Game.
According to the latest forecast, rain is expected to clear by mid-morning, with only a slight chance of light showers lingering during the game. Wind?
Barely a factor. That’s music to the ears of both offenses, but especially for Alabama and quarterback Ty Simpson, who thrives in clean conditions where he can operate without weather-related disruptions.
And he’s not the only one who’ll benefit. Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza-the newly crowned Heisman winner-won’t have to deal with a slick ball or unpredictable gusts, which means we’re likely to see both quarterbacks at their best. That sets the stage for what could be a high-level showdown between two programs with very different postseason histories.
A Boost from Miami?
Alabama fans got an unexpected morale boost the night before the new year, courtesy of Miami. The Hurricanes stunned Ohio State, a team that had been penciled in by many as a national title contender. Instead, they looked out of sync, overwhelmed, and far from the dominant force they were projected to be.
That loss didn’t just shake up the playoff picture-it also put a dent in Indiana’s resume. One of the Hoosiers’ most notable wins this season came against Ohio State, and now that victory doesn’t carry quite the same weight. For Alabama supporters, it’s another reason to feel a little better heading into Monday.
A Familiar Feeling in the Air
There’s a sense of déjà vu floating around Tuscaloosa. Some fans are drawing comparisons between this Rose Bowl and the 1993 Sugar Bowl, when Alabama took on a heavily favored Miami team for the national championship.
That Miami squad had a Heisman-winning quarterback in Geno Torretta and was expected to roll. Instead, Alabama’s defense overwhelmed the Canes, intercepting Torretta three times and turning the game into a statement win.
That game has become part of Alabama lore-not just because of the upset, but because of how decisively the Tide imposed their will. Torretta, who had thrown just four interceptions all season, looked rattled and out of rhythm. Afterward, he admitted, “The whole second half is a blur.”
The Heisman Curse vs. the Crimson Tide
The numbers don’t lie-Alabama has a history of spoiling the party for Heisman-winning quarterbacks. It started all the way back in 1971, when the Tide shut down Auburn’s Pat Sullivan just two days after he hoisted the trophy. Final score: Alabama 31, Auburn 7.
Since then, the list has grown. Geno Torretta in 1993.
Tim Tebow in the 2009 SEC Championship. Johnny Manziel in 2013.
Kyler Murray in the 2018 College Football Playoff. All Heisman winners.
All walked off the field with a loss to Alabama.
The only exception? Tebow in 2008, when Florida edged Alabama in the SEC title game.
Now, Fernando Mendoza steps into that spotlight. He’s a different kind of quarterback-more mobile than Torretta, more composed than most-but he’s also facing a Crimson Tide defense that knows how to make life miserable for even the most decorated passers. Alabama’s aggressive, box-stacking scheme has a way of shrinking the field and forcing quarterbacks into uncomfortable decisions.
What to Watch For
Don’t expect Alabama to simply overwhelm Mendoza the way they did Torretta back in '93. This Indiana offense is more balanced, and Mendoza is playing with a level of confidence that comes with winning the sport’s most prestigious individual award.
But the Tide have a knack for turning big moments into defining ones. With the weather no longer a wild card, we’re likely to see both teams at full strength. That’s when Alabama tends to shine-when the lights are brightest, the stakes are highest, and the margin for error is razor-thin.
History doesn’t win football games. But it does have a funny way of repeating itself. And if Alabama’s past success against Heisman quarterbacks is any indication, Mendoza and the Hoosiers are in for a test unlike anything they’ve seen this season.