At a Glance
- Alabama returns to the Rose Bowl as underdogs against undefeated Indiana.
- Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza leads the Hoosiers.
- The 2021 Rose Bowl saw Jalen Milroe’s fourth-down stop, ending an era.
- Why it matters: The game could shift the CFP landscape and redefine a historic rivalry.
Alabama is heading back to the Rose Bowl after a 2021 victory that ended an era, while Indiana enters as the top-seeded, unbeaten team in the College Football Playoff.
Alabama’s Road to the Rose Bowl
Alabama, ranked No. 11 AP and No. 9 CFP, finished the season 11-3 and earned a CFP berth under new head coach Kalen DeBoer. After a 9-4 record last year, the Tide suffered an embarrassing loss to Florida State and were blown out by Georgia in the SEC title game.
DeBoer reflected on the challenge:
Coach Kalen DeBoer stated:
> “They’re undefeated for a reason. They’ve got a very good football team. They play well. From our standpoint, there’s a belief in who we are. And that’s what you really have to focus on is, who are we? What we’ve been through, and how we’ve overcome, is what we’re proud of.”
The Tide’s comeback win at Oklahoma in the first round hinted at their potential to disrupt Indiana’s perfect season.
Indiana’s Rise and Heisman Glory
Indiana, the No. 1 AP and No. 1 CFP team, won the Big Ten title with a paradigm-shifting victory over Ohio State. It is the Hoosiers’ first Rose Bowl appearance since 1968.
Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, a California transfer, is central to Indiana’s offense. He said:
Fernando Mendoza noted:
> “We want to win the national championship, but playing in the Rose Bowl, getting a chance to play a historic team like Alabama, it’s something that’s really important to appreciate. The Big Ten championship was sweet, and it left a good taste in our mouth, but we’ve had a month for Coach Cignetti to light a fire under us and remind us we need to win the Rose Bowl. If we don’t, this season was great, but it isn’t what we want it to be.”
Mendoza also mentioned the 25-day layoff as a potential advantage:
Fernando Mendoza added:
> “I think having the month off is also a plus, although it was a negative for some teams last year. I just gave myself time to reflect on the Big Ten championship, the Heisman, all those other great things, let them sink in in a way where – ‘OK, that’s cool. Boom. Now we’ve got the new season.'”
Key Quotes and Perspectives
Alabama linebacker Deontae Lawson expressed the competitive drive:
Deontae Lawson said:
> “If you’re a true competitor, you want to play against the best. I remember my first year when Bryce Young was the Heisman winner. Going against him in practice every day, you just wanted to get a pick on him, to make a play. You always want to go against the Heisman winner, and we get that chance now.”
Indiana linebacker Aiden Fisher reflected on Saban’s legacy:
Aiden Fisher remarked:
> “For us, we don’t want to get wrapped up, tied up in the things that can be like rat poison, in a way.”
What’s at Stake
The winner will face either Oregon or Texas Tech next week in the Peach Bowl for a spot in the national championship game. This matchup is the first time the two schools have met since their football programs began in the 19th century.
| Team | Record | AP Rank | CFP Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 11-3 | 11 | 9 |
| Indiana | 13-0 | 1 | 1 |
Key Takeaways
- Alabama returns as underdogs after a strong CFP run under Coach DeBoer.
- Indiana’s undefeated season is led by Heisman winner Mendoza.
- The Rose Bowl clash could determine the next CFP matchup and reshape the national title picture.
The stage is set for a historic showdown that could rewrite the narrative of both programs and the College Football Playoff itself.
