Alabama is heading to the Rose Bowl, January 1st to take on #1 seed Indiana and you can hear all the action right here on 92 ZEW!
Kickoff is at 3pm, but our 8 hours of game coverage gets started at noon, as The Tide takes on the Hoosiers for the first time in history. Here’s how the teams stack up before the match up next Thursday:
Indiana Hoosiers
Offense
- Balanced attack: ~473 yards per game (Top 10 nationally)
- Rushing: ~221 ypg (Top 10)
- Passing: ~252 ypg
- Scoring ~41.9 PPG (Top 5) WTOP News
Defense
- Elite defense: ~257 total ypg allowed (Top 5)
- Rush defense outstanding: ~77.6 ypg allowed (Top 3)
- Scoring defense: ~10.8 PPG allowed (Top 3)
- Excellent third-down defense and turnover margin (+17) WTOP News
🔑 Key Player: QB Fernando Mendoza — 2025 Heisman Trophy winner, high efficiency & production drives offense. AP News
Tendencies
- Keeps drives alive (1st in 3rd-down conversions)
- Strong running game that controls clock
- Disciplined with few penalties WTOP News
🐘 Alabama Crimson Tide
Offense
- Passing-first: ~270 ypg through the air
- Rushing: ~110 ypg (below average)
- Scoring: ~31.4 PPG WTOP News
Defense
- Strong overall: ~289 ypg allowed
- Pass defense: Top 10 nationally
- Rush defense middle of pack
- Red zone defense has been a vulnerability this season WTOP News
🔑 Key Player: QB Ty Simpson — experienced passer driving Alabama’s offense. Hoosier Huddle
Tendencies
- Struggles to run the ball consistently vs top defenses
- Relies on defense turnovers (+8 turnover margin) and big pass plays WTOP News
📈 Statistical Comparison
| Category | Indiana | Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Scoring Offense | ~41.9 PPG | ~31.4 PPG |
| Total Offense | ~472.8 ypg | ~380.1 ypg |
| Rushing Offense | 221 ypg | 109.9 ypg |
| Passing Offense | 251.6 ypg | 270.2 ypg |
| Scoring Defense | ~10.8 PPG | ~17.9 PPG |
| Total Defense | ~257 ypg | ~289.3 ypg |
| Turnover Margin | +17 (1st) | +8 (18th) |
| 3rd Down % | ~55.5% (1st) | ~35.3% |
Data from 2025 regular season / comparisons vs FBS leaders. WTOP News+1
📊 Matchup Dynamics
🟡 Indiana Advantages
✔ Dominant defense controlling both run and pass
✔ Potent, balanced offense that controls clock and scoring
✔ Top seed, undefeated, and historic season momentum
✔ Heisman-winning QB leading attack WTOP News+1
🔴 Alabama Strengths
✔ Elite pass defense that could limit Mendoza’s air game
✔ Experience in big games and CFP history
✔ Improved offensive performance late in season Hoosier Huddle
🤔 Challenges
- Indiana: Key defensive player out due to injury — could affect pressure packages. The Crimson Quarry
- Alabama: Struggles with the ground game could be exploited by Indiana’s defense. Bleacher Nation
📊 Betting Outlook (Pre-Game)
- Indiana opened as a ~6.5–7 point favorite. The Crimson Quarry+1
- Total points (over/under) around 48.5 suggests expectation of moderate scoring.
🏆 Historical Notes
- This game marks Indiana’s first CFP quarterfinal appearance and only its second Rose Bowl ever (last in 1968). Indiana University Athletics
- Alabama returns to the Rose Bowl for the first time since 2023. en.wikipedia.org
- The matchup is unique: power-house tradition vs. historic underdog season.
92 ZEW is your official headquarters on the Gulf Coast for the Crimson Tide, so tune in next Thursday starting at noon to hear all the action and ROLL TIDE!
