Alabama vs Indiana predictions, how the Crimson Tide can win Rose Bowl

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Alabama football’s next test is one the Crimson Tide has never seen before.

Alabama will play Indiana for the first time in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the 2026 Rose Bowl.

This Hoosiers team is different from the Indiana teams of old. It’s one that has dominated the Big Ten with Curt Cignetti at the helm, one that brings an undefeated record to Pasadena.

Can the Crimson Tide end the Hoosiers’ win streak?

Alabama kicks off against Indiana in the Rose Bowl at 3:10 p.m. CT Thursday, Jan. 1 on ABC. The winner will face either Oregon or Texas Tech in the CFP semifinal.

Here are The Tuscaloosa News’ predictions for Alabama’s CFP quarterfinal against the Hoosiers.

Alabama vs Indiana predictions

  • Colin Gay: Indiana is, by far, the best team Alabama has faced all season with a top-five scoring offense and a top-two scoring defense nationally. The Crimson Tide’s defense has lived up to expectation against top offenses, shutting down Tennessee and Vanderbilt in the regular season, both of which are top-10 scoring offenses nationally. Paired with a surging offense, one that was methodical and consistent against an Oklahoma defense that is one of the best in college football, Alabama could be peaking at the right time, something that could mark trouble for the Hoosiers.
  • Chase Goodbread: A low-scoring affair. Both defenses are legit, and neither offense is dangerous enough to take the score into the 30s. Field position will play an important role.

Alabama vs Indiana scouting report: What we’re watching

  • Colin Gay: Can the Alabama defense capitalize if Indiana’s offense makes a mistake? Fernando Mendoza has six interceptions on 316 pass attempts in 2025. The Hoosiers offense has lost one fumble all season long. But the stat remains for Alabama football. The Crimson Tide has seven wins in eight games when they have won the turnover margin. Two of Alabama’s three losses came when it lost the turnover margin. Could be the margin of success against the Hoosiers.
  • Chase Goodbread: Can Alabama’s defensive front shut down the Indiana rushing attack and make the Hoosiers offense one-dimensional? QB Fernando Mendoza will be far easier to defend if so. The Crimson Tide was outstanding against the run vs. Oklahoma in the first round of the CFP, but IU’s ground game is a lot more challenging than the Sooners’ was.

Alabama vs Indiana score predictions

  • Colin Gay: No. 9 Alabama 24, No. 1 Indiana 21
  • Chase Goodbread: No. 9 Alabama 20, No. 1 Indiana 17

Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter. 

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama vs Indiana CFP quarterfinal Rose Bowl predictions

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