UNDERDOG ALABAMA TARGETS A ROSE BOWL UPSET AGAINST UNDEFEATED INDIANA NOW
Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza leads No. 1 Indiana against Ty Simpson and Alabama in a historic Rose Bowl CFP quarterfinal clash.
Get ready for a clash of titans as Alabama and Indiana battle it out in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl this Thursday in Pasadena, California.
Even though Alabama has a rich history, it's coming into this game as the underdog, ready to prove its worth.
Indiana, once the program with the most losses in college football, is now the top seed and the only undefeated team, led by Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza. Talk about a turnaround.
"I want to shut down all quarterbacks, Heisman winner or not," said Alabama's defensive coordinator, Kane Wommack.
The winner of the Indiana-Alabama game will face either Texas Tech or Oregon in the Peach Bowl on January 9 in Atlanta.
Indiana isn't just trying to keep their amazing season going. They're trying to shake things up after last year's playoff, where all four first-round winners beat the top seeds.
Would I want to play earlier? Probably, to be honest, Indiana coach Curt Cignetti said. But that's not how it is. We're excited to play.
Mendoza throws for an average of 229.2 yards per game, with 33 touchdowns and only six interceptions. Plus, he's run in six touchdowns himself.
But Alabama's defence has been tough on quarterbacks this season, ranking as one of the best in stopping passing plays, allowing only 168.4 yards per game.
Recently, Alabama is fresh off a 34-24 win against Oklahoma in the first round on December 19.
Alabama's quarterback, Ty Simpson, had some struggles but bounced back against Oklahoma. He averages 250 passing yards per game, with 28 touchdowns and five interceptions.
The biggest difference between the teams is their running game. Indiana is among the best in the nation, averaging 221.2 rushing yards per game. Alabama, on the other hand, has struggled, with only 109.9 rushing yards per game.
"I see how well (the Hoosiers') players work together," Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer said. They just make plays. When they have a chance, they make it happen.
Indiana has only been to the Rose Bowl once, losing to USC back in 1967.
Alabama is making its ninth appearance, with a record of 5-2-1. Their last time here was two seasons ago, losing to Michigan in overtime in the CFP semifinal. The Crimson Tide also won the 2009 national title against Texas in this stadium.
Cignetti was Alabama's wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator during that championship run.
While Cignetti knows all about Alabama's past, DeBoer is familiar with what Cignetti has achieved with Indiana. DeBoer was the Hoosiers' offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach back in 2019.
Mendoza should have one of his best receivers back this Thursday.
Omar Cooper Jr., who got hurt early in the Big Ten title game, is ready to go for the Rose Bowl. Cooper leads Indiana with 58 catches for 804 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Alabama is also getting a key player back, with LT Overton returning to the field. Overton missed the Southeastern Conference championship game and the first-round win against Oklahoma due to sickness.
KENDRICK BOURNE REVEALS THE STRICT DISCIPLINE THAT SPARKED THE PATRIOTS' TURNAROUND
Kendrick Bourne speaks out! Discover why he thinks Mike Vrabel is the right fit and why he’s eyeing a 2026 return to the 49ers.
Kendrick Bourne’s path through the NFL has zigzagged all over – some highs, plenty of lows, and now, another fresh start. He took a shot with the Patriots in 2025 after building his reputation with the 49ers. But honestly, that New England chapter ended before it even got going. Bourne didn’t just slip out the back door. He left with a lot to say about what he saw brewing in New England as Mike Vrabel took charge.
Once Vrabel arrived, you didn’t need to listen for rumours about a culture shift; it was obvious. Bourne noticed right away. He’s already got his eyes set on home, back with the 49ers, but even from a distance, he could see the Patriots were heading somewhere new long before their record showed it.
Talking about his exit from New England, Bourne didn’t sugarcoat anything. Losing the job itself wasn’t the hardest part. What stung was watching Vrabel put his stamp on the team, laying down the kind of structure and discipline Bourne knew would eventually pay off. He was blunt; things just felt different under Vrabel compared to before.
He put it like this: “After going through OTAs and camp with Vrabes, you just knew. Nothing against Mayo, but he just wasn’t ready. With Vrabes, the structure was totally different in how we studied, how we met, and just the whole vibe. Honestly, I was sad about it.”
This wasn’t just a guy being bitter. Bourne respected what was happening in New England and genuinely wished he could have been part of it, especially with a Super Bowl push on the horizon. He even admitted he’d wanted to be in that locker room when the Patriots finally made it back to the big stage.
Now he’s back with the 49ers, hoping to stick around. At 30, Bourne wants a new contract in San Francisco. He had a solid 2025, racked up 551 yards, picked up a contract bonus, and gave the offence a spark. The 49ers needed reliable hands, and Bourne delivered. He’s clear: he wants to stay, but only if the deal makes sense for him.
So now, the offseason gets interesting. Bourne knows where he fits best, but he’s still keeping an eye on what’s building in New England. That mix of looking back and chasing what’s next makes this part of his career one to pay attention to.
MRI SCARE: STEVE KERR ADMITS STEPH CURRY’S "NEBULOUS" KNEE MAY REQUIRE SECOND IMAGING
Warriors crisis! Discover why Steph Curry may need another MRI and how Jimmy Butler’s ACL tear shifts GSW to the play-in.
The Warriors have been scrambling since Jimmy Butler went down with that ACL tear. He’s done for the year, and now Stephen Curry has to carry the offence on his own.
Right after the All-Star break, the Warriors are sitting in eighth place out West. That’s already shaky, and now Curry’s dealing with a knee injury too. The team calls it runner's knee; basically, he just needs time to heal. But then Steve Kerr gave an update that didn’t exactly inspire confidence.
Turns out, Curry might need another MRI. He tried to push through a full workout, but his knee just wasn’t right. Now, they’re waiting on imaging to figure out how long he’ll actually be out.
Meanwhile, Kristaps Porzingis still hasn’t suited up for Golden State. If Curry misses significant time, everyone else needs to step up in a big way. The Warriors already have one of the most average offences in the league, 15th at the break. No curry, and things get ugly fast. He’s already missed 16 games this season, and the team went 6-10 without him.
Losing Butler already knocked the Warriors out of serious contention. They’re pretty much locked into the play-in. Unless Curry suddenly goes supernova, it’s hard to see them catching the Thunder or making any real noise out West.
So, what’s next? The front office tried to swing big at the deadline, going after Giannis Antetokounmpo, though who knows if the Bucks ever really considered it. Giannis stayed put, but you can bet the Warriors will chase him again this summer.
If that doesn’t work, they’ll turn to other stars. They know the championship window is closing with Curry still on the roster. He’s still elite, but time’s ticking.
LeBron James even comes up as a possibility. If he declines his player option and hits free agency, maybe he’d team up with Curry for one last run at a ring.
Most likely, though, Golden State will look at trades instead of free agents to try to reload. Curry’s health isn’t what it used to be, and the Warriors know they have to make the most of whatever prime he’s got left.