In a highly anticipated College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl, the No. 1 seeded Indiana Hoosiers delivered a resounding 38-3 defeat to the No. 9 Alabama Crimson Tide. The victory, a historic first-ever Rose Bowl win for the Hoosiers, was a statement performance that showcased why Indiana is a favorite to win the national championship. This comprehensive win, marked by physical domination and superior execution, offered several key insights into both programs.
Five Takeaways from Indiana’s Dominant Rose Bowl Victory
1. Indiana’s Physicality at the Line of Scrimmage Was Overwhelming
The most glaring takeaway from the game was the sheer physical dominance exhibited by Indiana’s offensive and defensive lines. The Hoosiers’ offense, which has historically relied on a strong rushing attack, controlled the line of scrimmage from the outset. This allowed their running backs to impose their will on the Crimson Tide defense, leading to sustained drives that wore down Alabama.
Conversely, Alabama’s offense struggled immensely to establish any semblance of a running game. Their inability to run the ball, a season-long issue, was brutally exposed in Pasadena and was a key factor in their offensive struggles. Indiana’s top-tier run defense held the Crimson Tide in check, effectively making them one-dimensional and predictable.
2. Fernando Mendoza’s Heisman Performance Lived Up to the Hype
Indiana quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza delivered a stellar performance after a long layoff since the Big Ten Championship game. Mendoza efficiently managed the game, making critical throws and avoiding turnovers. His ability to lead long, methodical drives, including one that spanned 84 yards and took nearly nine minutes off the clock, kept the Alabama defense on the field and the Crimson Tide offense on the sidelines. Mendoza’s composure and execution showcased the talent that made him the nation’s top player and highlighted Indiana’s offensive firepower.
3. Alabama’s Season-Long Flaws Proved Fatal
For the Crimson Tide, the loss was an accumulation of “season-long problems” that they had managed to overcome in previous games but could not against a team as efficient and talented as Indiana. The inability to run the ball and the offense’s tendency to struggle at times were all on display. Coach Kalen DeBoer noted that the team didn’t execute to their “best abilities” and Indiana capitalized on every mistake. This game revealed that while Alabama’s talent could sometimes mask their inefficiencies, against elite competition like the No. 1 Hoosiers, those flaws were fatal.
4. Indiana Possesses a “Businesslike Demeanor” Unfazed by Reputation
Despite Indiana’s history as a program with few major bowl appearances, coach Curt Cignetti‘s team played with the composure of a perennial powerhouse. They were not intimidated by the historic success and reputation of the Crimson Tide. The Hoosiers acted like they had “been here before,” focusing on fundamentally sound football and execution. This mindset speaks volumes about the culture Cignetti has instilled, transforming a team from the nation’s all-time losingest program to a potential national champion contender in just two seasons.
5. The Coaching Mismatch Was Evident
The game highlighted a significant coaching advantage for the Hoosiers. Cignetti’s game plan was executed nearly flawlessly, effectively neutralizing Alabama’s strengths and exploiting their weaknesses. The strategic domination was evident on both sides of the ball, particularly in controlling the tempo and line of scrimmage.
On the other side, DeBoer’s offense struggled to find answers against the relentless Indiana defense, leaving many to question if the scheme was sufficient for the standard expected at Alabama. The tactical battle clearly went to Indiana, setting them up as the clear favorite moving forward in the CFP. Next up for the Hoosiers is a rematch with the No. 5 Oregon Ducks, with the winner moving on to play in the College Football Playoff National Championship.
Main Image: Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
