Overview
- Top-seeded Indiana (13-0) meets No. 9 Alabama in the Rose Bowl quarterfinal on Jan. 1 at 4 p.m. ET, with oddsmakers listing the Hoosiers as roughly a touchdown favorite.
- Pro Football Focus data show Fernando Mendoza completes 76.5% of passes when kept clean versus 51.4% under pressure, and Indiana’s closest games came when opponents produced double‑digit pressures.
- AL.com notes Mendoza has thrown more touchdowns when blitzed, reinforcing calls for Alabama to generate pressure with its front instead of frequent extra rushers.
- Fox Sports’ Geoff Schwartz highlighted Alabama’s season-long pass‑rush issues, a concern paired with Tide rushing struggles and turnover risk against a disciplined Hoosiers defense.
- Alabama expects edge rusher LT Overton back after missing two games, while Indiana enters off nearly a month without playing as some analysts warn of potential rust; DC Bryant Haines expressed confidence on X and forecasts call for rain in Pasadena.