Down 17-0 in a hostile environment on College Football Playoff Friday, Alabama looked like a team on the brink. The Sooners had the momentum, the crowd, and a three-score cushion. But as we’ve seen time and time again, you can’t count out the Crimson Tide-not when there’s time on the clock and pride on the line.
By halftime, that 17-point deficit had vanished. Alabama’s defense, which had looked out of sync early, flipped the script with a relentless response that suffocated Oklahoma’s offense the rest of the way. The final score-34-24 in favor of the Tide-told the story of a team that didn’t just survive, but imposed its will when it mattered most.
Watching closely from afar? The Indiana Hoosiers, Alabama’s next opponent in the Rose Bowl.
Set to square off in Pasadena on New Year’s Day, Indiana’s offense knows it’s walking into a heavyweight fight. And after seeing Alabama roar back against the Sooners, the Hoosiers aren’t taking anything lightly.
“They’ve got athletes everywhere,” said Indiana tight end Riley Nowakowski. “Bama’s still Bama.
They’ve got big, strong guys who can fly around. That presents a problem-especially when they’re throwing different looks at you.
They’ll show you seven or eight up front, then drop out or bring zero pressure. It’s tough for anybody to handle.”
That defensive versatility was on full display in Norman. Alabama disguised pressure, shifted fronts, and brought heat when it mattered. It wasn’t just about raw athleticism-it was about execution, discipline, and a deep understanding of situational football.
Indiana offensive lineman Pat Coogan zeroed in on one name in particular: Tim Keenan.
The Crimson Tide defensive tackle-and team captain-was a game-changer against Oklahoma. Keenan didn’t just plug gaps and eat double teams.
He made plays. One of the biggest came on special teams, when he blocked and recovered a punt, flipping field position and setting up a crucial Alabama field goal that cut the deficit to 17-10.
It was a turning point, and Keenan was right in the middle of it.
“Really, really, really good front,” Coogan said, emphasizing the challenge ahead. “The front seven in general-big bodies, great athletes.
It’s an SEC defense. It’s dominant.
And it’s going to be a big challenge for us.”
Coogan didn’t mince words when talking about Keenan either.
“Think it all starts with 96-Tim Keenan. He’s their leader, their captain.
A real stout defender who plays with great leverage. He’s going to be a huge challenge for all of us, especially me.”
For Indiana, the takeaway from Alabama’s comeback wasn’t just about X’s and O’s. It was about culture. A team doesn’t claw back from 17 down on the road in a playoff game without belief, preparation, and leadership.
“That’s no easy feat,” Coogan said. “Being down 17-0 in Norman, in a College Football Playoff game, and coming back to win?
That’s tough. Anywhere.
But especially there.”
What stood out most to Indiana’s players was Alabama’s resilience. The way they responded when their season was hanging in the balance said everything about the program’s DNA.
“They pushed all their chips in the middle,” Coogan added. “And that gave us a great look at their third-down pressures, sure. But more than anything, it showed their culture and their toughness.”
As the Rose Bowl approaches, Indiana knows exactly what kind of test awaits. Alabama isn’t just a team with elite talent-they’re a team that knows how to respond when things go sideways. And that might be the most dangerous trait of all.