The Granddaddy of Them All is set for a high-stakes showdown, and ESPN’s top broadcast team will be front and center for the Rose Bowl clash between No. 1 Indiana and No.
10 Alabama. Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit-college football’s most recognizable duo-will be in the booth calling the action from Pasadena, with Holly Rowe and Kris Budden reporting from the sidelines.
Kickoff is locked in for 4 p.m. ET on January 1, and this one promises fireworks.
Let’s set the stage. Indiana enters the Rose Bowl with a spotless 13-0 record, riding the momentum of a dream season that’s already shattered expectations.
The Hoosiers have never played in a New Year’s Six bowl game-let alone the Rose Bowl-and haven’t won a bowl game since 1991. But this team isn’t just happy to be here.
They’re led by Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza at quarterback and two-time AP Coach of the Year Curt Cignetti on the sidelines. It’s a program-defining moment in Bloomington.
Across the field, Alabama is no stranger to this kind of spotlight. The Crimson Tide owns six national championships since 2000 and just pulled off a dramatic comeback win over Oklahoma, erasing a 17-point deficit to punch their ticket to Pasadena.
While the Nick Saban era has officially ended, first-year head coach Kalen DeBoer is already making noise. But stepping into Saban’s shadow is no easy feat, and this Rose Bowl is a massive opportunity for DeBoer to make his own mark.
What makes this matchup even more intriguing is the web of coaching connections between the two programs. Indiana’s Cignetti spent time on Alabama’s staff from 2007 to 2011, back when the Tide was building its modern dynasty.
DeBoer, now leading Alabama, once served as Indiana’s offensive coordinator in 2019. And Kane Wommack, Alabama’s current defensive coordinator, was on Indiana’s defensive staff for three seasons.
This isn’t just a clash of styles-it’s a reunion of sorts, with plenty of familiarity on both sidelines.
The contrast between these two programs couldn’t be starker. Alabama is the powerhouse with the pedigree, the rings, and the expectations.
Indiana is the upstart, the unbeaten underdog trying to crash the blue-blood party. But don’t let the history fool you-this Hoosiers squad is no fluke.
With Mendoza under center and Cignetti pulling the strings, Indiana has the talent and the coaching to go toe-to-toe with anyone.
As for the broadcast, fans tuning in can expect the A-team. Fowler brings his signature energy and poise to the play-by-play call, while Herbstreit offers sharp, insightful analysis that’s become a staple of ESPN’s biggest games. Rowe and Budden will be tracking every development from the sidelines, adding context and updates in real time.
You can catch the game on ESPN or stream it through Fubo or the ESPN app. One way or another, history will be made in Pasadena. Whether it’s Indiana continuing its magical run or Alabama proving that the dynasty still has legs under new leadership, the Rose Bowl is once again the center of the college football universe.