PASADENA, Calif. — On a misty New Year’s Day at the Rose Bowl, a program long synonymous with basketball blue-bloodedness officially planted its flag atop the college football mountain. Top-seeded Indiana (14-0) didn’t just defeat No. 9 Alabama (11-4); they dismantled them, securing a 38–3 victory that sends the Hoosiers to the College Football Playoff semifinals and leaves the Crimson Tide searching for an identity.
The story of the game was not just the score, but the physical “skull dragging” Indiana inflicted on a program that once defined grit. For Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti, the win was a validation of a philosophy he ironically helped build as an assistant under Nick Saban.
“I thought our mindset was really good,” Cignetti said post-game, clutching the Leishman Trophy. “We talked about changing the way they think, breaking their will. That’s the best way to do it—running the football. It takes a while, but it happens.”
The Gamble That Failed: DeBoer’s Fourth-Down Blunder
The game’s pivotal moment arrived early in the second quarter. With Indiana leading only 3–0, Alabama faced a fourth-and-1 from their own 34-yard line. Rather than punting to flip the field against a dominant Indiana defense, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer opted for a high-stakes gamble.
After two timeouts and a series of “fake-fake” punt shifts, the Tide ran a Wildcat shovel pass to Germie Bernard. The Hoosiers’ front seven, led by defensive MVP and center-turned-enforcer Pat Coogan, swarmed the play for no gain.
The turnover on downs sparked an immediate Indiana onslaught. Five plays later, Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza connected with Charlie Becker for a 21-yard touchdown. Alabama never recovered. DeBoer, whose “video-game gambler” style has drawn both praise and ire, was left to explain a decision that felt out of place in the storied history of SEC fundamentalism.
“I try not to be reckless but try to be aggressive,” DeBoer admitted. “It was the wrong decision when you fall short. We trusted our guys, but we were a half-inch short.”
Indiana’s “Bully Ball” and the Mendoza Magic
While the fourth-down call was the turning point, the sustained dominance of the Indiana trenches was the story. Indiana’s offensive line physically manhandled the Tide, allowing the Hoosiers to outgain Alabama 407 to 193.
Fernando Mendoza proved why he earned the Heisman, finishing 14-of-16 for 192 yards and three touchdowns. More impressively, he had more touchdown passes than incompletions. However, in a rare move, the Rose Bowl Offensive MVP was awarded to center Pat Coogan, symbolizing the “hard-nosed” nature of Indiana’s victory.
Key Game Statistics: Rose Bowl 2026
| Category | Alabama Crimson Tide | Indiana Hoosiers |
| Final Score | 3 | 38 |
| Total Yards | 193 | 407 |
| Rushing Yards (2nd Half) | -6 | 129 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 0 |
| Time of Possession | 24:12 | 35:48 |
The End of an Era?
For Alabama, the loss marks the worst margin of defeat in the College Football Playoff era. The Tide’s run game was nonexistent, and quarterback Ty Simpson was eventually benched for Austin Mack after struggling against the Hoosiers’ relentless pressure.
With a national title drought now reaching five seasons, the “Unbreakable” culture in Tuscaloosa is facing its sternest test. Fans and analysts alike are questioning whether DeBoer’s West Coast scheme can survive the “meanness” of the playoff trenches.
The only silver lining for Tide fans is the impending arrival of five-star recruit EJ Crowell. The Gatorade Player of the Year, who rushed for over 6,000 yards in high school, is expected to enroll this spring. He represents the hope that Alabama can return to the “punish you at the line of scrimmage” football that Cignetti’s Indiana team used to beat them.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who does Indiana play next in the College Football Playoff? Indiana advances to the Peach Bowl on January 9, 2026, for a semifinal rematch against No. 5 Oregon. Indiana previously defeated Oregon 30–20 in Eugene earlier this season.
2. Is this Indiana’s first Rose Bowl win? Yes. This was Indiana’s first Rose Bowl victory in school history. Their only previous appearance was a 14–3 loss to USC in 1967.
3. What happened to Ty Simpson during the game? Simpson struggled significantly, completing 12 of 16 passes for only 67 yards. He also suffered a “cracked” rib in the second quarter and was eventually replaced by Austin Mack in the third quarter.
4. Why did an offensive lineman win MVP? Pat Coogan was awarded MVP to honor the Indiana offensive line’s total physical dominance over Alabama. Coach Cignetti noted that the unit “broke the will” of the Tide defense.
Next Step: Would you like me to draft a follow-up analysis comparing Indiana’s “bully ball” stats to Oregon’s high-tempo offense ahead of their Peach Bowl matchup?
You can see more about the Hoosiers’ historic win here. This video provides a direct look at the post-game celebrations and the “rose petal dunk” on Coach Cignetti that marked Indiana’s first-ever Rose Bowl victory.
