Alabama football fails Rose Bowl test miserably against Indiana: Report card

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PASADENA, Calif. — Alabama football's aim has been to be "unbreakable," to be a team that continued to punch despite taking hits.

After punching back and having its moment on the road in Norman, Oklahoma, seemingly turning the conversation after being silenced in the SEC Championship Game against Georgia, Alabama was knocked down and stayed down, falling to Indiana 38-3 in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the 2026 Rose Bowl.

Here's how the Crimson Tide graded out in its final game of the 2025 season.

Alabama football offense: D-

Alabama’s offense was inept against Indiana. The run game continued to be non-existent. The pass game was consistent with completions, but not even close to explosive against a Hoosiers defense satisfied with allowing check-down completions. Points came only when Austin Mack replaced Ty Simpson at quarterback. And even then, the Crimson Tide continued to struggle for an answer about moving the ball downfield.

Alabama defense: C-

Both of Indiana’s first-half touchdowns came from Alabama mistakes: a fourth-down call that led to a short Hoosiers field and a Simpson fumble. Fernando Mendoza and the Hoosiers got theirs, as one would expect from a Heisman winner. But Alabama stood strong at points, creating ample pressure on Indiana. Mistakes added up. And the Crimson Tide was unable to hold the Hoosiers back as they accelerated in the second half and left Alabama breathless.

Alabama special teams: C

Special teams proved to be a non-factor, a common refrain for Alabama football in 2025. Conor Talty hit a field goal. Blake Doud was busy, landing one of a handful of punts inside the 20-yard line. And Alabama had no success in the return game.

Alabama coaching: F

The idea made sense: a fourth-and-1 at its own 34, needing a splash. Ryan Grubb and the Alabama offense elected for theater instead of progress, lining Daniel Hill up as a wildcat quarterback and forcing an Indiana timeout before lining Ty Simpson up in punt formation, trying to get the Hoosiers to come offside, and forcing an Alabama timeout. When the play actually occurred, when Hill lined up, again, at wildcat, Indiana was unfazed, stopping Germie Bernard on a push pass at the line of scrimmage. That’s the difference between Indiana and Alabama. Indiana is composed. Indiana isn’t a team that is coerced into mistakes. And with the ball and a short field, the Hoosiers took advantage, something that became the story of the 2026 Rose Bowl. 

Alabama overall vs Indiana: D-

While getting to the CFP quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl is an accomplishment, especially for a team that looked dead in the water as early as Week 1 against Florida State, this Alabama team looked like it did not belong in a national championship conversation.

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 Rose Bowl grades

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