With the Rose Bowl just days away, Indiana football has released its first availability report ahead of Thursday’s College Football Playoff quarterfinal showdown against Alabama. The top-ranked Hoosiers are set to kick off at 4 p.m. ET in Pasadena, entering the matchup as a 7-point favorite over the Crimson Tide.
There weren’t any major surprises on the injury front. Four Hoosiers - Stephen Daley, Kellan Wyatt, Bryson Bonds, and Lee Beebe Jr. - have officially been ruled out. All four have been sidelined for some time, so their absence was expected.
The more intriguing development? Kicker Brendan Franke is listed as probable to return - and that could be a quiet but meaningful boost for Indiana’s special teams unit.
Franke hasn’t seen the field since Indiana’s win over UCLA back in October, when he went down with an injury on the opening kickoff. But before that, he was a weapon. In IU’s road win at Oregon on October 11, Franke drilled a 58-yard field goal - not only his first career make, but a record-setter at Autzen Stadium and a tie for the longest in Hoosiers history, matching Griffin Oakes’ bomb from 2014.
Beyond the big leg on field goals, Franke’s value has shown up on kickoffs. He’s booted 51 of them this season, and 47 have gone for touchbacks. That’s elite territory - pinning opponents deep and giving the defense a favorable starting point more often than not.
Franke’s journey to Bloomington has been a winding one. Before joining IU this season, he had stops at Nebraska, Georgia Southern, and Texas State. But he’s found a role with the Hoosiers, and if he’s healthy enough to go on Thursday, that’s one more edge Indiana could have in a game where every detail matters.
As per College Football Playoff protocol, all participating teams are required to submit availability reports three days before kickoff. These reports must categorize players as “available,” “probable,” “questionable,” “doubtful,” or “out” leading up to game day. On game day itself, the designations are simplified to “available,” “game time decision,” or “out,” with a final update due 90 minutes before kickoff.
For now, Indiana fans can take cautious optimism from Franke’s status. A healthy kicker with a booming leg might not be the headline going into a CFP clash - but it sure could swing momentum when the lights come on in Pasadena.