From the La-Z-Boy to the Rose Bowl: How Curt Cignetti is Game Planning for Alabama
Curt Cignetti’s office chair isn’t just furniture - it’s a command center. The 36-year-old teal La-Z-Boy recliner has seen more film than a Hollywood theater. From his early days at Division II Indiana University of Pennsylvania to his current post at Indiana, Cignetti has built a reputation as a relentless film grinder - the kind of coach who lives in the tape room and doesn’t miss a detail.
Now, with Indiana preparing for the biggest game in its 138-year football history - a Rose Bowl showdown with Alabama on New Year’s Day - that chair is once again the war room. And what Cignetti sees on film from Alabama tells a story of a beatable powerhouse, one with clear strengths, but also exploitable weaknesses.
Let’s break down what Indiana’s head coach is likely seeing as he dissects the Crimson Tide.
Alabama’s Ground Game: Flashy Name, Flat Results
For all of Alabama’s reputation as a physical, downhill running team, the numbers paint a different picture - especially in the biggest moments. In their last two games - the SEC Championship and their College Football Playoff opener - the Tide managed just 0.6 yards per carry.
That’s not a typo. Less than a yard per attempt.
That’s a trend Cignetti won’t overlook. Alabama is undefeated (7-0) when it rushes for over 100 yards.
When it doesn’t? They’re a pedestrian 4-3.
That’s not just a stat - it’s a blueprint.
Indiana, meanwhile, brings the third-best run defense in the country to Pasadena. That alone gives them a solid starting point.
The challenge? Doing it without senior defensive end Stephen Daley, the Big Ten’s leader in tackles for loss, who’s out with a season-ending injury.
His absence is a major blow, but Indiana’s front seven has depth and a track record of stepping up.
If the Hoosiers can win on early downs and force Alabama into obvious passing situations, defensive coordinator Bryant Haines can start dialing up pressure packages to make life uncomfortable for the Tide’s quarterback.
Ty Simpson: Dangerous... Until You Get to Him
Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson has been the engine of this offense. A redshirt junior with a big arm and poise in the pocket, Simpson threw for 3,500 yards this season, accounted for 30 touchdowns, and tossed just five picks. He was in the Heisman conversation midway through the year, and for good reason - he’s accurate, decisive, and surrounded by a deep, talented group of receivers.
But here’s the thing: even elite quarterbacks have a kryptonite, and for Simpson, it’s pressure.
When the pocket is clean, Simpson can carve up defenses with surgical precision. But when it collapses?
That’s when mistakes happen. He’s had moments this season where he’s forced throws under duress, leading to turnovers and stalled drives.
That’s not unique to Simpson - it’s true of most quarterbacks - but it’s a vulnerability Indiana can exploit.
The Hoosiers have already shown they can bring heat against top-tier offensive lines. Just ask Oregon and Ohio State, both of whom struggled to keep Indiana’s pass rush in check. If Indiana can replicate that formula, Simpson may not have the time he needs to get comfortable.
Wommack’s Defense Brings the Heat - But Can It Handle Mendoza?
Alabama’s defense under coordinator Kane Wommack has undergone a transformation. Gone is the traditional 3-4 base that defined the Nick Saban era.
In its place? A fast, aggressive 4-2-5 scheme built to create chaos in the backfield and confuse quarterbacks with exotic blitz looks.
It’s worked. Alabama has the 13th-ranked scoring defense in the country, and they’ve made life miserable for plenty of signal-callers this season. But there’s a catch - this defense is built to rattle quarterbacks, not necessarily to contain elite ones.
Enter Fernando Mendoza.
Indiana’s redshirt junior quarterback has been nothing short of sensational. He’s not just managing games - he’s dictating them. And he’s doing it with a quick-release passing game that’s tailor-made to counter aggressive defenses.
Offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan’s RPO-heavy scheme is designed to get the ball out fast and neutralize pressure. It’s a system that thrives on rhythm and timing, and Mendoza runs it with the precision of a surgeon. Against blitz-heavy looks, he’s shown the ability to read, react, and punish defenses that overcommit.
That’s the matchup to watch: Alabama’s blitz packages versus Mendoza’s poise and execution. If Indiana’s offensive line can give him even a sliver of time, Mendoza has the tools - and the temperament - to make Alabama pay.
Talent vs. Execution: The Classic College Football Dilemma
Make no mistake: Alabama is loaded. According to 247Sports’ Talent Composite, the Crimson Tide came into the season with the second-most talented roster in the country.
That includes 14 five-star recruits and 50 four-stars. That kind of depth and athleticism doesn’t just go away - it shows up in the margins, in special teams, in the trenches, and in those one-on-one matchups that define big games.
But as Indiana has proven time and again under Cignetti, stars on paper don’t always translate to wins on the field.
The Hoosiers opened as 6.5-point favorites for a reason. They’ve earned that respect with wins over playoff-caliber opponents and a style of play that travels - tough defense, an efficient offense, and a team-first mentality that doesn’t flinch under pressure.
Still, Alabama’s raw talent is a factor. If the Tide can force Indiana into mistakes, hit on a few explosive plays, or win the turnover battle, they have the firepower to flip the script.
The Bottom Line: Cignetti’s Chair Sees It All
As Curt Cignetti leans back in that well-worn recliner, he’s not just watching film - he’s piecing together a game plan that could deliver Indiana its first-ever College Football Playoff win. He knows what’s at stake.
He knows the challenge Alabama presents. And he knows that if his team sticks to its identity - physical defense, smart quarterback play, and disciplined execution - they have more than just a puncher’s chance.
This isn’t a David vs. Goliath story.
It’s two heavyweight programs with different pedigrees but equal hunger. And come New Year’s Day, we’ll find out if the hours spent in that teal La-Z-Boy were enough to take Indiana from Rose Bowl hopefuls to College Football Playoff history-makers.