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2d ago

Rose Bowl Quarterfinal: No. 1 Indiana Favored Over Alabama as Tide Target Heisman QB

Indiana reports top receiver Omar Cooper at full speed.

AUBURN, ALABAMA - OCTOBER 11: Daylen Everette #6 of the Georgia Bulldogs is charged with pass interference as he breaks up a touchdown pass intended for Cam Coleman #8 of the Auburn Tigers during the first quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 11, 2025 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OKLAHOMA - DECEMBER 19: Ty Simpson #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks to pass in the first half during 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)
Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Lorenzo Styles Jr. (3) breaks up a pass intended for Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. (3) on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, during the Big Ten football championship at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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Overview

  • The College Football Playoff quarterfinal is set for Jan. 1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena with a 4 p.m. ET kickoff on ESPN.
  • Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack and players say they will pressure Fernando Mendoza and tighten coverage to generate turnovers.
  • Heisman winner Mendoza has 33 touchdown passes for an offense averaging about 472.8 yards per game, while Indiana’s defense allows roughly 257.2 yards per game and stifles the run.
  • Oddsmakers and national previews have Indiana favored by about a touchdown as the 13-0 Hoosiers enter as the No. 1 seed under Curt Cignetti.
  • Alabama’s run game averages 3.4 yards per carry, and Indiana has yielded just seven passing touchdowns all season, increasing the onus on Ty Simpson to produce through the air.