The Alabama Crimson Tide are still dancing - but not without some serious sweat. A 34-24 win on the road over Oklahoma in the first round of the expanded College Football Playoff keeps their title hopes alive, and now they’re headed west to Pasadena, where the Rose Bowl awaits.
Standing between them and the national title game? A red-hot Indiana Hoosiers squad that’s playing with poise, power, and a whole lot of belief.
Alabama, the No. 9 seed in this year’s bracket, is trying to channel some of the same underdog magic we saw from last season’s Ohio State team, which made a run from the No. 8 spot all the way to the national championship. But let’s be clear - this year’s Crimson Tide isn’t built quite the same way, especially when it comes to the ground game.
The Run Game Gap
Last year’s Buckeyes were a bruising, balanced machine. They had a two-headed backfield monster in Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson - both second-round picks in the 2025 NFL Draft - and each eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark. That gave Ohio State the kind of offensive versatility that wears down defenses and controls tempo.
Alabama? Not so much.
Jam Miller leads the team with just 504 rushing yards, and no other back has cracked 300. That’s a significant drop-off, and it puts a lot more pressure on quarterback Ty Simpson to carry the load offensively.
Now, Simpson may actually give Alabama an edge at the quarterback position compared to last year’s Buckeyes, who rolled with Will Howard. Simpson’s mobility and arm talent make him a legitimate weapon, and he’s shown flashes of being able to take over a game. But without a consistent run game to keep defenses honest, he’s operating with a much thinner margin for error.
Receiver Room & Defensive Disparities
If you’re looking for a difference-maker out wide, Alabama’s receiving corps hasn’t quite lived up to its usual standard. Ryan Williams, once expected to be a breakout star, has largely vanished from the spotlight. That’s a stark contrast to the dynamic group Ohio State fielded last season, which consistently created separation and made life easier for their quarterback.
Defensively, the comparison gets even trickier. Last year’s Buckeyes had a unit that was fast, physical, and disciplined. Alabama’s defense has talent, but it hasn’t shown the same level of cohesion or dominance - and that could be a problem against an Indiana offense that’s been humming.
Indiana Isn’t Last Year’s Oregon
Here’s where things get even more interesting. Alabama’s next opponent, Indiana, isn’t just a feel-good story - they’re a legitimate threat.
With Dillon Gabriel under center, the Hoosiers have one of the most experienced and efficient quarterbacks in the country. And Fernando Mendoza has emerged as a real difference-maker when the game slows down and every possession counts.
Compared to last year’s Oregon team, which Ohio State handled in the Rose Bowl, Indiana brings more stability, more firepower, and arguably more confidence. This is a team that believes it belongs on the big stage - and they’re playing like it.
Can Alabama Make a Run?
Let’s not forget: head coach Kalen DeBoer has been on big stages before. He knows what it takes to prepare a team for high-stakes football. And with offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb in his corner, Alabama has the schematic creativity to hang with just about anyone.
But there’s a difference between hanging in and winning four straight games against elite competition. The Tide’s lack of a consistent ground game and questions on defense make them the biggest long shot left in the field. They’ve got heart, no doubt - but heart alone doesn’t win championships.
Alabama’s still alive. They’re still dangerous.
But if they’re going to finish this playoff run with a trophy in hand, they’ll need to find answers - fast - against one of the most complete teams in the tournament. The Rose Bowl is next.
And the margin for error? It’s razor thin.