Roll Tide Wire staff predictions for Alabama vs. Indiana in Rose Bowl
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On Thursday afternoon, the Alabama Crimson Tide officially make their return to play in one of college football’s biggest games, the Rose Bowl.
A game with a trip to the CFP semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on the line, Alabama and Indiana are a pair of college football teams who have never met before, now doing so in about a big a game as possible.
Indiana also comes into Thursday’s contest sitting undefeated as the No. 1 overall seed at 13-0, while also having won the Big Ten championship in their most recent contest. Alabama sits at 11-3 overall as the No. 9 seed in the CFP, and are coming off a 34-24 road win at Oklahoma in the first round.
Following are Roll Tide Wire’s staff predictions for Alabama vs. Indiana in the CFP quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl.
Matt Melton’s prediction: Alabama Crimson Tide 30, Indiana Hoosiers 28
The CFP quarterfinal round a year ago was one full of upsets, which included No. 8 seeded Ohio State upsetting No. 1 Oregon in the Rose Bowl, 41-21. With upsets set to potentially occur once again this season, could Alabama go on to shock the college football world Thursday afternoon in Pasadena?
While it will not be any easy task by any means, I’ll go with Alabama to upset the Hoosiers in a complete team effort. The Crimson Tide should be as healthy as they have been in a long time, and I’ll go with Alabama to build on their momentum from the Oklahoma game to advance to the CFP semifinals.
Steve Holley’s prediction: Alabama Crimson Tide 20, Indiana Hoosiers 27
This game will come down to the fourth quarter. I fully believe that. I feel good about Alabama’s chances but ultimately see Fernando Mendoza making a couple of big throws late. Alabama’s inability to establish a run game all year will rear its head again in Pasadena. Ty Simpson plays well, but the Hoosiers’ defense is one of the best units in the nation and makes a big stop or two. Perhaps Indiana is a bit flat to start the game with an extra week of rest, and the weather here is a wild card. If Alabama can strike first and take advantage early, the pressure shifts to Indiana. Hope for the best.
Rob King’s prediction: Alabama Crimson Tide 21, Indiana Hoosiers 28
Alabama can’t stop the Indiana offense and get them off the field. Indiana shows balance on offense. Mendoza does it with his legs and arm. Alabama can’t establish a consistent running game. Ty Simpson and Ryan Grubb run out of tricks. Ty throws an interception and Indiana wins time of possession. 28-21, Indiana.
Jake Boico’s prediction: Alabama Crimson Tide 38, Indiana Hoosiers 35
Indiana has proven to be one of the top teams in the country throughout the 2025 campaign. Alabama enters the matchup following an extremely impressive victory over the Oklahoma Sooners in Norman, and the Tide will enter the matchup as healthy as they have been all season long. I believe the matchup will be a hard-fought, back and forth battle, but ultimately the Tide will win the Rose Bowl by a score of 38-35.
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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Alabama football vs. Indiana predictions for CFP at Rose Bowl Game
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