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Indiana looked every bit the part of a No. 1 seed in a dominant victory over Alabama in the Rose Bowl College Football Playoff quarterfinal
PASADENA, Calif. — No. 1 Indiana made a statement Thursday in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals at the Rose Bowl, rolling to a 38-3 win over No. 9 Alabama. The Hoosiers will face No. 5 Oregon in the CFP semifinals at the Peach Bowl next week with a spot in the national championship game on the line.
Indiana became the first team in the 12-team CFP format to win a quarterfinal game after receiving a first-round bye. Teams were previously 0-6 following byes, including Ohio State (loss to Miami) and Texas Tech (loss to Oregon) earlier this season.
Curt Cignetti also made history as just the second FBS coach to win at least 25 games in his first two seasons at a school. Ironically, he joined Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer, who accomplished the same feat at Washington before arriving in Tuscaloosa following Nick Saban’s retirement.
Indiana’s victory also guaranteed the Big Ten a representative in the national title game for the third consecutive season. Michigan won the championship over Washington in 2023, and Ohio State defeated Notre Dame last year in the first 12-team CFP.
Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza finished 14 of 16 for 192 yards and three touchdowns. Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson exited in the third quarter after completing 12 of 16 passes for just 67 yards and was replaced by Austin Mack, who followed DeBoer from Washington to Alabama in 2024.
The loss marked Alabama’s worst since 2000. The Crimson Tide previously lost by 28 points to Clemson in the 2018 national championship game. With the defeat, Alabama’s title drought will now reach five seasons after winning six championships in 12 years under Saban.
By the numbers
35 points — Margin of victory, tied for the sixth-largest in Rose Bowl history. Largest since 2014.
First CFP quarterfinal win by a team receiving a first-round bye (teams were 0-6 entering the game).
First CFP semifinal matchup between teams from the same conference.
Indiana
14-0 — most wins in a season in school history.
14-game win streak — Longest active streak in the FBS.
First CFP win and first CFP semifinal appearance in school history.
Will face No. 5 Oregon in the Peach Bowl on Jan. 9.
Defeated Oregon 30-20 at Eugene in Week 7.
First Rose Bowl win in program history (1-1 all time).
Lost 14-3 to USC in 1967.
First bowl win since the 1991 Copper Bowl vs. Baylor.
Snapped the longest bowl-win drought among Power 4 teams.
First January win in school history (previously 0-4).
Four wins vs. ranked teams — Most in program history.
215 rushing yards — More than Alabama’s 193 total yards.
Curt Cignetti: 25-2 in his first two seasons.
Second FBS coach to win 25-plus games in his first two seasons at a school.
Joins Kalen DeBoer (Washington, 2022–23).
Fernando Mendoza: 14-of-16, 194 yards, three touchdowns.
More touchdown passes (3) than incompletions (2).
Tied for the most passing touchdowns in a bowl game in school history.
First Heisman Trophy winner to reach the CFP semifinals since Bryce Young (2021).
Big Ten: Will have a team in the national championship game for the third straight season.
Michigan won in 2023; Ohio State won in 2024.
Alabama
Five straight seasons without a national championship.
Won six titles in 12 seasons under Nick Saban.
35-point loss — Largest bowl loss in program history.
Largest loss overall since a 36-point defeat at Arkansas in 1998.
Four-plus losses in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2006–07.
Three straight bowl losses for the first time since 1971–74.
1-3 in the last four CFP games after going 9-3 in the first 12.
Kalen DeBoer (first two seasons)
2024: 9-4
2025: 11-4
First Alabama coach to lose four-plus games in consecutive seasons since Mike Shula (2003–04).
Scroll down below for live updates, highlights and analysis from Indiana’s dominant statement victory over Alabama and a look ahead to the Hoosiers’ rematch with the Ducks.
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Ty Simpson benched in Rose Bowl: Alabama QB replaced by Austin Mack in third quarter vs. Indiana
Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson was benched in the second half against No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers in the No. 9 Crimson Tide’s 38-3 loss in the Rose Bowl on Thursday. Backup Crimson Tide quarterback Austin Mack entered the College Football Playoff quarterfinal in Simpson’s place with Alabama trailing 24-0 in the third quarter.
Simpson took a big hit in the first half while trying to extend for a first down and has been grimacing while throwing the ball. He tried to come back and play in the second half. The hit was on Simpson’s lower back and led to a fumble, which the Hoosiers converted into points.
However, Simpson has struggled to create explosive plays during a heavyweight battle with the Hoosiers. The junior completed 12-of-16 passes for 67 yards and added 17 yards on the ground, but was held without a score in his snaps.
Ty Simpson benched in Rose Bowl: Alabama QB replaced by Austin Mack in third quarter vs. Indiana
Shehan Jeyarajah
By the numbers: Alabama’s Rose Bowl trip to woodshed vs. Indiana marks CFP-era low for Crimson Tide
For Alabama Crimson Tide fans, the Rose Bowl was grotesque, gory and often disturbing to watch — the type of visual content they hadn’t seen in the College Football Playoff era.
Kalen DeBoer did all he could not shield his eyes in the fourth quarter during the worst loss of his coaching career, a 38-3 pounding at the hands of Indiana in a game that was never competitive after a fourth-down failure in the second quarter opened the onslaught.
Alabama’s run game was nonexistent, third-down conversions were an issue and by the end of a black-and-blue first half, it looked as if the Crimson Tide were already scoreboard-watching in preparation for their flight home.
By the numbers: Alabama’s Rose Bowl trip to woodshed vs. Indiana marks CFP-era low for Crimson Tide
Brad Crawford
The turning point? Failed fourth down by Bama early
The turning point of this game came in the second quarter when Alabama elected to go for it on fourth-and-1 deep in its own territory. Hindsight is always 50/50, but that decision was the beginning of the end for Alabama’s chances of pulling off an upset. After Alabama and Indiana traded timeouts, coach Kalen DeBoer still decided to roll the dice and the gamble didn’t pay off. After getting a stop, Indiana was able to score its first touchdown of the game a few plays later and never looked back.
Death by a thousand cuts
Indiana didn’t just beat Alabama. It dominated. And that might be an understatement. Curt Cignetti’s squad ended Alabama’s season by delivering death by a thousand cuts. Disciplined football. Complimentary football. Whatever you want to call it, Cignetti’s team came to play. Indiana is for real. If that wasn’t apparent already, it was on Thursday on the biggest stage in the sport. Indiana’s defense is tough as nails. This is a team fully capable of running the table.
Indiana will be hard to stop if it plays like this the rest of the way.
Indiana’s rematch with Oregon set
FINAL: (1) Indiana 38, (9) Alabama 3
A trip to the national championship will be on the line next week when Indiana faces Oregon in a rematch of a game played earlier this season. Of course, Indiana was able to walk into Eugene and secure a 30-20 win over the Ducks to keep its undefeated season alive. Since that loss, Oregon has won eight consecutive games — including a 23-0 victory over Texas Tech earlier in the day to advance to the CFP semifinals. This will be the second consecutive season Oregon plays a team in the CFP that they also played in the regular season. Last year, Oregon beat Ohio State in the regular season. However, the Ducks lost to the Buckeyes in the quarterfinals.
Indiana advances with statement win over Alabama in the Rose Bowl
FINAL: (1) Indiana 38, (9) Alabama 3
(1) Indiana made a statement on Thursday in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals at the Rose Bowl with a 38-3 win over (9) Alabama. The Hoosiers will face (5) Oregon in the CFP semifinals at the Peach Bowl next week, with a spot in the national championship game on the line.
Indiana is the first team in the 12-team format to win a quarterfinal game after receiving a first-round bye. Teams were previously 0-6 after receiving a bye, including Ohio State (loss to Miami) and Texas Tech (loss to Oregon) this season.
Indiana’s Curt Cignetti became the second FBS coach to win at least 25 games in his first two seasons with the school. Ironically, Cignetti joined Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer, who accomplished the feat at Washington before arriving to Tuscaloosa following Nick Saban’s retirement.
Additionally, Indiana’s win over Alabama guaranteed that the Big Ten will have a representative in the national title game for the third consecutive season. Michigan won the title over Washington during the 2023 campaign, and Ohio State defeated Notre Dame last year in the first 12-team CFP.
Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza finished 14 of 16 for 192 yards and three touchdowns in the win. On the other side, Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson exited in the third quarter after completing 12 of 16 attempts for just 67 yards. Simpson was replaced at quarterback by Austin Mack, who followed DeBoer from Washington to Alabama in 2024.
Alabama’s largest loss since 2000 previously came against Clemson in the national title game during the 2018 season. The Crimson Tide lost that game by 28 points. With the loss, Alabama’s title drought will now stretch five seasons after the program won six titles in 12 years under Saban.
Alabama in the midst of a historic loss
Alabama’s largest loss since 2000 came against Clemson in the 2018 national title game. The Crimson Tide lost that game by 28 points. Indiana leads 38-3 with 10:33 left after Roman Hemby’s latest touchdown.
Indiana extends its lead
EARLY 4Q: (1) Indiana 31, (9) Alabama 3
That might be all she wrote from Pasadena. Indiana running back Kaelon Black just scored a 25-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 31-3 with 14:21 remaining in regulation. This has been a dominant performance from IU. The Hoosiers are close to getting a date with Oregon next week, with a trip to the national championship on the line.
Indiana in control heading to the fourth
END 3Q: (1) Indiana 24, (9) Alabama 3
We have reached the end of the third quarter of the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl. (1) Indiana is in control heading into the fourth quarter against (9) Alabama. The Hooisers have built a 24-3 lead and will have a chance to add more points at the start of the quarter. Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson exited during the third quarter after taking a hard hit on a fumble. He was replaced by backup Austin Mack, a former blue-chip recruit who followed coach Kalen DeBoer from Washington to Alabama.
Indiana is on the verge of a historic win for the program.
Alabama benches QB Ty Simpson with apparent injury
Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson left the game with an injury against No. 1 Indiana in the Rose Bowl. Backup Crimson Tide quarterback Austin Mack entered the game in Simpson’s place down 24-0 in the third quarter.
Simpson took a big hit in the first half while trying to extend for a first down and has been grimacing while throwing the ball. He tried to come back and play in the second half. The hit was on Simpson’s lower back and led to a fumble.
Ty Simpson benched in Rose Bowl: Alabama QB replaced by Austin Mack in third quarter vs. Indiana
Shehan Jeyarajah
Alabama is on the board
LATE 3Q: (1) Indiana 24, (9) Alabama 3
Alabama is on the board. Alabama kicker Conor Talty drilled a 28-yard field goal with 2:44 remaining in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 24-3. On that drive, Alabama backup quarterback Austin Mack completed 4 of 5 attempts for 46 yards.
Ty Simpson out, Austin Mack in at quarterback for Bama
Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson is not on this drive. Alabama backup quarterback Austin Mack is in the game at quarterback. The Crimson Tide trail 24-0 midway through the third quarter.
Mack is a former Washington commit who followed Kalen DeBoer to Alabama when he took over for Nick Saban. Mack has been the backup quarterback to Simpson all season.
This one might be over
MID 3Q: (1) Indiana 24, (9) Alabama 0
Indiana has been surgical on both sides of the football today. It’s been death by a thousand cuts. The latest punch Indiana threw was a 24-yard touchdown strike from Mendoza to Elijah Sarratt to extend the lead to 24-0. That last drive lasted 10 plays and spanned 79 yards. This one might be over.
Alabama punts to start the second half
EARLY 3Q: (1) Indiana 17, (9) Alabama 0
Alabama got the football to begin the second half and couldn’t do anything with it. The Crimson Tide will be forced to punt for the third time today. Alabama has crossed midfield on just two of its drives.
Indiana in control over Alabama at halftime
HALF: (1) Indiana 17, (9) Alabama 0
(1) Indiana is in full control over (9) Alabama heading into intermission at the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl. The Hoosiers hold a 17-0 advantage over the Crimson Tide at halftime. However, the score doesn’t reflect how one-sided this game has been so far. Indiana’s defense has been incredible, while the offense is playing complementary football.
The difference in this game so far was a huge gamble by Alabama in the second quarter. Facing fourth-and-1 at their own 34-yard line, the Crimson Tide elected to go for it instead of punting. After Alabama and Indiana traded timeouts, the Crimson Tide lined up in Wildcat and tried to pop pass to Germie Bernard on the outside. It didn’t work.
Indiana was able to take advantage and score the first touchdown of the game minutes later when Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza connected with Charlie Becker for a 21-yard strike. Mendoza finished the first half 10 of 12 for 93 yards and two touchdowns. Mendoza connected with Omar Cooper Jr. for a 1-yard touchdown with 17 seconds remaining in the first half to extend the lead to 17.
Alabama will get the football to start the second half.
Indiana’s defense comes up big
LATE 2Q: (1) Indiana 10, (9) Alabama 0
After Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson appeared to scramble for a first down, Indiana’s defense made a play. Indiana DB D’Angelo Ponds forced a fumble to give his team the ball back near midfield with less than three minutes remaining in the first half.
Another stop by IU
MID 2Q: (1) Indiana 10, (9) Alabama 0
Alabama’s offense hasn’t been able to do much against Indiana’s defense. The Crimson Tide will be punting for the second time today. It feels like Alabama’s defense has been on the field for a majority of this game.
Indiana makes Alabama pay
EARLY 2Q: (1) Indiana 10, (9) Alabama 0
Alabama sent the blitz, and Indiana made them pay. Mendoza fired a strike to Charlie Becker in the end zone for a 21-yard touchdown, which extended IU’s lead to 10-0. On the previous drive, Alabama elected to go for it and fourth-and-1 and didn’t get it. That decision might come back to haunt the Crimson Tide.
Huge stop by Indiana
EARLY 2Q: (1) Indiana 3, (9) Alabama 0
Alabama went for it on fourth-and-1, and the gamble didn’t pay off. After Indiana and Alabama traded timeouts, the Crimson Tide went Wildcat and tried to pop pass to Germie Bernard on the outside. It didn’t work. Now, IU will take over at Alabama’s 34-yard line in the opening minutes of the second quarter.
Indiana ahead over Alabama at the start of the second quarter
EARLY 2Q: (1) Indiana 3, (9) Alabama 0
The first 15 minutes of action between Indiana and Alabama were scoreless. However, on the first play of the second quarter, Indiana added the first points of the game with a 31-yard field goal. After being forced to punt on its opening drive, Indiana capped a 16-play, 84-yard drive with points. On that drive, the Hoosiers picked up five first downs, and Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza completed all six of his passing attempts for 55 yards.
Indiana (10:52 to 4:08) is dominating the time of possession. This upcoming drive for Alabama will be critical to give its defense a much-needed rest.
Alabama forced to punt
EARLY 1Q: (1) Indiana 0, (9) Alabama 0
Alabama was unable to take advantage of favorable field position near midfield after forcing a punt. IU was able to get pressure on Alabama QB Ty Simpson with a blitz and by rushing just four. Of note, Alabama WR Ryan Williams caught a pass on the opening drive. He was limited to just one catch for five yards in Alabama’s last game against Oklahoma.
The Crimson Tide picked up two first downs on their opening drive.
Alabama’s early gamble pays off
EARLY 1Q: (1) Indiana 0, (9) Alabama 0
Alabama’s defense came to play. The Crimson Tide sent pressure twice (on first and third downs) and it paid off. Both plays resulted in a sack. IU will punt. Alabama DB Bray Hubbard was credited with the sack on third down.
Here we go
Alabama wins the toss and will defer to the second half. Indiana will get the football first.
Weather is clearing up
We are about 30 minutes until kick and the weather has cleared up. There hasn’t been any rain for about an hour. Let’s see if the weather holds throughout this one.
Curt Cignetti downplays Alabama ‘mystique’ in College Football Playoff as Rose Bowl nears for Indiana
Indiana coach Curt Cignetti never minces words and delivered some of college football’s most notable comments over his dominant, two-year stretch. From “Google Me” to not being surprised after a road win at Oregon, Cignetti’s nature commands respect.
Cignetti’s boring-by-design, top-ranked and unbeaten Hoosiers are on the verge of battling blueblood Alabama for the first time in program history Thursday at The Rose Bowl. His players do not concern themselves with the Crimson Tide “mystique” coming in, he said.
“You probably know more about the mystique than they do,” Cignetti said. “Our guys just know what they see on tape.”
Blunt and succinct. The follow-up centered around the Hoosiers’ path to College Football Playoff glory.
Curt Cignetti downplays Alabama ‘mystique’ in College Football Playoff as Rose Bowl nears for Indiana
Brad Crawford
Rose Bowl QB showdown among storylines in College Football Playoff quarterfinals
The last time Alabama played in the Rose Bowl, it marked the end of Nick Saban’s sport-defining 17 seasons in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide lost in heartbreaking fashion to Michigan, which set up a title game bout against … Kalen DeBoer’s Washington Huskies.
In just the two years since, we now have DeBoer leading the way at Alabama versus a Curt Cignetti-coached Indiana Hoosiers program that is the story of this decade. It’s remarkable just how much has changed in that short period of time. There are storylines galore here with DeBoer and defensive coordinator Kane Wommack, both former Indiana assistants. Cignetti was a former Alabama assistant under Saban and won a national championship in 2009. Star Indiana defensive coordinator Bryant Haines was named after legendary former Alabama coach Bear Bryant.
Cotton Bowl trench battle, Rose Bowl QB showdown among storylines in College Football Playoff quarterfinals
John Talty
College Football Playoff picks: Predictions against the spread, odds, betting lines for quarterfinal bowls
Four marquee showdowns will be headlining the College Football Playoff quarterfinals staged at four of the sport’s most iconic bowl games with semifinal spots on the line. Four teams that earned first-round byes will make their CFP debuts, each hoping to reverse a trend that emerged last season.
All four teams that received byes in the inaugural 12-team playoff lost in the quarterfinals, fueling the notion that rest may be overrated in college football’s still-new postseason format. That dynamic could shift this year after a tweak to the seeding formula awarded byes to the four highest-ranked teams rather than the four highest-ranked conference champions.
Wednesday night opens the quarterfinals with No. 2 Ohio State facing No. 10 Miami in the Cotton Bowl, as the reigning national champion Buckeyes begin their CFP run as 9.5-point favorites. Thursday brings a tripleheader, starting with No. 4 Texas Tech against No. 5 Oregon in the Orange Bowl. Among the four teams with byes, the Red Raiders are the lone underdog, with Oregon entering as a slight favorite.
College Football Playoff picks: Predictions against the spread, odds, betting lines for quarterfinal bowls
David Cobb
Weather/field update from the Rose Bowl
We are about two hours away from Indiana and Alabama officially getting underway from the Rose Bowl. The weather throughout the day has been unpredictable. Earlier this morning, Pasadena experienced heavy rainfall, and as a result, the sidelines have become soggy. When I took a walk around the field about 15 minutes ago, I saw stadium workers working relentlessly to dry the field. I saw them use leaf blowers and they were also working on the grass near the end zones.
The sidelines are very, very soggy. And muddy. The weather should hopefully clear up near kick. It’s a mix of dark clouds and clear skies from the press box. Normally, it doesn’t rain in Southern California like this. We will see if the weather clears up before this epic showdown.
Players to watch from Indiana
Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana: Mendoza transferred from Cal this offseason and immediately elevated Indiana’s offense. In 13 games, he completed 71.5% of his passes for 2,980 yards, 33 touchdowns and six interceptions. Known for his accuracy, Mendoza threw for 222 yards and a touchdown against Ohio State in the Big Ten championship game, a performance that effectively sealed the Heisman Trophy.
Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana: Indiana features multiple receivers capable of stretching the field, and Cooper has been the most productive. He leads the team with 58 receptions and 804 receiving yards and finished second with 11 touchdown catches, trailing only Elijah Sarratt.
Rolijah Hardy, LB, Indiana: Indiana ranked second nationally in total yards allowed and points per game, and Hardy has been a central figure in that success. He leads the Hoosiers with 87 tackles and eight sacks and has added four pass breakups this season.
Players to watch from Alabama
Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama: Simpson is coming off one of his strongest performances in weeks after leading Alabama to a dramatic win over Oklahoma. He completed 19 of 29 passes for 232 yards and two touchdowns as the Crimson Tide erased a 17-point first-half deficit. Simpson enters the Rose Bowl having thrown for 3,500 yards and 28 touchdowns against five interceptions. For Alabama to pull the upset, the offense will need him at his best.
Ryan Williams, WR, Alabama: Williams has been one of the more puzzling players in college football this season. After a standout freshman campaign, his production has been inconsistent. He has recorded two receptions or fewer in each of his past four games, including a one-catch, five-yard outing against Oklahoma. The Rose Bowl would be an ideal stage for Williams to rediscover his big-play form.
Bray Hubbard, DB, Alabama: Hubbard has been one of Alabama’s most reliable defenders this season. He finished with five tackles against Oklahoma in the CFP first round. On the year, Hubbard has totaled 66 tackles (40 solo), three forced fumbles and four interceptions. Alabama’s defense will be under the spotlight against Indiana’s potent offense.
Where to watch Alabama vs. Indiana: TV channel, stream, kickoff time for 2026 Rose Bowl CFP quarterfinal
Cameron Salerno
