How Alabama defense plans to beat Indiana Heisman QB Fernando Mendoza
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The Alabama football defense doesn’t need extra fuel to get up for its College Football Playoff quarterfinal game at the 2026 Rose Bowl against Indiana.
Yes, Alabama will face the reigning Heisman Trophy winner in Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. But it’s not an added rallying cry or anything for the Crimson Tide.
“I want to stop quarterbacks whether they won the Heisman Trophy or not,” Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack said.
But there is a reason why Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy.
Mendoza is the face of one of the best and most efficient offenses in college football, one that averages 41.9 points and 472.8 yards per game, one that led the country in passing touchdowns.
And it’s an offense that rarely makes mistakes. The Hoosiers have lost one fumble all season, while their quarterbacks have combined for seven interceptions.
As Alabama prepares for Indiana, its defense is one that credits what Mendoza has done for the Hoosiers.
“Heisman winner, definitely the best quarterback we have faced all year,” Alabama cornerback Zabien Brown said. “Can put the ball anywhere on the field. It just puts stress on us.”
But all compliments come with the caveat that Mendoza has not faced the Crimson Tide’s ball-hawking defense yet, one that has forced nine fumbles and secured 11 interceptions.
“He’s a really good player, whether he won the Heisman or not,” Alabama safety Keon Sabb said. “We’re still going to go out there and play hard. Congrats to him on winning that, but we’ll play our game.”
How Alabama can beat Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza
Instead of Mendoza being the “rally cry,” Wommack said it’s consistency, taking away Mendoza’s windows to throw, pairing tight coverage and a takeaway approach with pressure up front to affect the quarterback.
And none of that is different from the plan Alabama has had all season.
“We’re fired up every week to do our job, most definitely, as a defense,” Alabama linebacker Yhonzae Pierre said. “We’re just trying to be as disciplined as possible, you know what I’m saying, to stop him, stop the run, stop the pass and shut them out for sure.”
Alabama is top-20 nationally in turnover margin. Maryland is the only team Indiana has seen with a better turnover margin than the Crimson Tide.
Wommack sees a “big moment” for his defense, a “great opportunity. It’s a stage he said Alabama is ready for as a team, a defense that is already “battle tested” and that is ready for “another challenge.”
For Brown, it doesn’t matter if Mendoza or the Indiana offense doesn’t have a track record for mistakes. The Crimson Tide is ready to put the Hoosiers in a position to make them.
“It’s a gut feeling, you know,” Brown said of forcing turnovers. “Just got a little spidey sense. But it’s really just trust, being able to pull the trigger.”
Alabama kicks off against Indiana in the Rose Bowl at 3:10 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 1 in Pasadena, California.
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 football defense plans for Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza
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