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3h ago

Indiana vs. Alabama Set for Rose Bowl CFP Quarterfinal With Rain in the Forecast

Indiana enters favored on the strength of elite third-down efficiency.

The Rose Bowl Stadium facade on December 24, 2023, in Pasadena, California prior to the CFP Semifinal between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Michigan Wolverines. The Rose Bowl is the first of the two playoff semifinal games on Monday.
Ty Simpson #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates after winning a 2025 College Football Playoff First Round Game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on December 19, 2025 in Norman, Oklahoma. (Photo by CFP/Getty Images)
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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 06: College football head coach Curt Cignetti of the Indiana Hoosiers reacts during the fourth quarter in the 2025 Big Ten Football Championship against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 06, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Overview

  • No. 1 Hoosiers (13-0) face No. 9 Crimson Tide (11-3) on Jan. 1 in Pasadena in a CFP quarterfinal for a berth in the Peach Bowl semifinal.
  • Coach Curt Cignetti said on-site prep was disrupted after travel and a substandard first practice, urging urgency one day before kickoff.
  • Forecasts call for rain at the Rose Bowl, and both coaches said they will adjust to wet conditions, though Cignetti downplayed its impact.
  • Indiana pairs the nation’s best third-down offense (about 54.4% conversions) with a defense that allows roughly 29.3% on third down.
  • Alabama enters about a seven-point underdog as Nick Saban cautioned against making Ty Simpson one-dimensional and Kalen DeBoer noted Saban’s continued availability.