After surviving a tough road test at Oklahoma in the opening round of the College Football Playoff, Alabama now heads west to Pasadena for a heavyweight showdown in the Rose Bowl against top-ranked, undefeated Indiana.
At 11-3, Alabama comes in as the underdog - and by more than just a touchdown, according to the oddsmakers - but don’t let the record fool you. This Crimson Tide team has been through the fire.
From the grind of the SEC schedule to the pressure of a win-or-go-home playoff opener, Alabama has been tested in ways few teams have. And while Indiana might be the No. 1 seed with a spotless 13-0 record, Alabama’s battle scars could be exactly what gives them a fighting chance in the "Granddaddy of Them All."
That said, pulling off the upset won’t be easy - not against this Indiana squad.
Curt Cignetti’s Hoosiers are the real deal. They’re disciplined, well-coached, and they don’t beat themselves.
At the center of it all is Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, whose poise and precision have been the driving force behind Indiana’s historic run. Pair that with a defense that’s as stingy as they come, and you’ve got a team that looks every bit like a national title contender.
For Indiana, this game is more than just a semifinal. It’s a chance to plant their flag on the national stage - to prove that their rise isn’t a fluke, but a new chapter in college football’s power structure. And what better way to do that than by taking down Alabama, the gold standard of the sport for over a decade?
But don’t count out the Tide just yet. Head coach Kalen DeBoer has his team locked in, and they know what it takes to win on this stage.
Alabama will need to play clean, mistake-free football - because Indiana won’t give them many second chances. This one has all the makings of a four-quarter fight, and if Alabama can weather the early storm, we could be in for a classic.
How to Watch: No. 9 Alabama vs.
No. 1 Indiana - Rose Bowl (CFP Quarterfinal)
Broadcast Info:
ESPN will have its A-team on the call for this one.
Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit are in the booth, with Kris Budden and Holly Rowe handling sideline duties. This crew also called Alabama’s win over Oklahoma in the opening round, so there’s already some familiarity with both squads.
Weather Forecast
It might not be the postcard-perfect Rose Bowl setting we’re used to. According to local forecasts, expect cloudy skies with a good chance of rain during the game.
Temperatures should hover in the upper 50s at kickoff and rise into the low 60s as the afternoon progresses. It’s not ideal, but both teams will have to adapt - and in a game like this, even the weather could play a role.
Betting Odds (via FanDuel Sportsbook)
- Spread: Alabama +6.5
- Over/Under: 48.5
- Moneyline: Alabama +205 / Indiana -255
Indiana’s favored by nearly a touchdown, but Alabama’s moneyline suggests there’s still belief in their upset potential. The over/under sits at 48.5, which could come down to whether Alabama can crack Indiana’s defense or if this turns into a grind-it-out defensive slugfest.
Injury Report
Alabama (confirmed):
- LB Jah-Marien Latham - Out
- DL Jeremiah Beaman - Out
- DB Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. - Out
Indiana:
- Status TBD until the Rose Bowl availability report is released.
These absences could impact Alabama’s depth, especially on the defensive side, where Indiana’s offense - powered by Mendoza - will look to exploit any mismatches.
The stage is set: a storied powerhouse looking to prove it still belongs, and a rising juggernaut trying to cement its place among college football’s elite. Alabama vs.
Indiana at the Rose Bowl isn’t just a playoff game - it’s a collision of eras, styles, and stakes. Buckle up.