Overview
- Alabama was eliminated from the College Football Playoff in its largest postseason loss ever, and Indiana advanced to the Peach Bowl semifinal against Oregon on Jan. 9.
- The Crimson Tide mustered just 193 total yards and 23 rushing yards, while the Hoosiers produced 407 yards with a balanced attack led by Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza’s 192 yards and three TDs.
- A failed fourth-and-1 from Alabama’s 34–35 yard line after a timeout and wildcat jet sweep to Germie Bernard set up Indiana’s first touchdown; Kalen DeBoer later called it the wrong decision.
- Starting quarterback Ty Simpson exited in the third quarter after an injury and was benched in what ESPN described as a coach’s decision, with Austin Mack entering and directing the lone scoring drive to a field goal.
- ESPN’s Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit blasted the performance as humiliating and embarrassing, as DeBoer spoke of a “fine line” to the top with the transfer portal window and NFL decisions now immediately at hand.