In a thrilling matchup for college football fans, the 2025 Rose Bowl will see Indiana, ranked No. 1, take on No. 9 Alabama as part of the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. The Hoosiers go into the game as favorites by a touchdown, largely due to the impressive performance of their Heisman-winning quarterback, Fernando Mendoza, who has captured the attention of fans and analysts alike.
Under the leadership of head coach Curt Cignetti, Indiana has seen remarkable progress, following a playoff appearance in 2024 with a flawless run in 2025, defeating every team on their schedule. This season’s success has solidified their place as national champions and propelled Mendoza into the spotlight as one of college football’s elite players.
For Alabama, the road to the Rose Bowl has been more complicated. The Crimson Tide faced a challenging SEC title game against Georgia, which exposed some weaknesses. Although they stumbled at the beginning of their first-round playoff game against Oklahoma, a pivotal blocked punt and an interception returned for a touchdown helped them secure a 34-24 victory, keeping their championship hopes alive.
As the game approaches, one of the key narratives will be Alabama’s struggles in the running game. Meanwhile, Indiana has shown exceptional strength in defending against the pass, allowing only seven touchdowns through the air over seven games in 2025, with no opposing quarterback managing to throw for multiple touchdowns against them. This defensive prowess places significant pressure on Alabama’s quarterback, Ty Simpson, to change the game’s dynamic if they hope to secure an upset victory.
The matchup promises to be full of excitement as both teams bring contrasting strengths and weaknesses to the field. Fans will be eagerly watching to see if Indiana can maintain their dominance or if Alabama can find a way to adapt and battle back. The game kicks off at 4 p.m. on ESPN, and all eyes will be on this clash of titans in college football.