Overview
- Alabama was eliminated from the College Football Playoff and finished 11-4 after its largest defeat since 1998, managing just 193 total yards and 23 rushing yards.
- Starting quarterback Ty Simpson exited and was benched in the third quarter after a second-quarter hit, with Austin Mack entering and leading the Tide’s lone scoring drive to a field goal.
- Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza went 14-of-16 for about 192 yards and three touchdowns as Indiana outgained Alabama 407-193 and converted 9 of 14 third downs to the Tide’s 3 of 11.
- National voices labeled the performance “humiliating,” with ESPN’s Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit criticizing Alabama’s effort and Paul Finebaum calling it a historically embarrassing loss.
- Kalen DeBoer credited Curt Cignetti’s Hoosiers and said Alabama must move on, as the portal window opens through Jan. 16 and NFL decisions loom, including a possible choice by Simpson.