Welcome to school soccer in 2025. Indiana is the No. 1 staff within the nation and favored by a landing over No. 9 Alabama within the Rose Bowl, which serves as a College Football Playoff quarterfinal.
And in a sport that options the Heisman winner, not one individual is shocked that participant, QB Fernando Mendoza, performs for the Hoosiers and never the Crimson Tide.
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Here’s how to watch all the College Football Playoff games (scroll for live updates).
No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 9 Alabama (4 p.m., ESPN)
It can’t be stated typically sufficient how Indiana made such a leap in Curt Cignetti’s first 12 months after which acquired even higher in his second 12 months on the faculty. After a playoff look in 2024, Indiana merely beat everybody on its schedule in 2025.
Alabama was dominated by Georgia within the SEC title sport and carried over that efficiency into the primary 20 minutes of their first-round sport at Oklahoma. But a blocked punt and a pick-6 acquired Alabama proper again into issues and the Tide rolled to a 34-24 win over the Sooners.
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By now, everybody is aware of Alabama can’t run the ball. Indiana, in the meantime, is extremely good in opposition to the go. Just how a lot can Indiana dare Alabama to aim to run the ball?
Opposing QBs have thrown for two,334 yards in opposition to the Hoosiers and tallied simply seven touchdowns. Remarkably, these seven touchdowns have come over seven completely different video games. Not one quarterback has thrown for a number of TDs in opposition to Indiana in 2025.
Alabama QB Ty Simpson goes to have to interrupt that streak for Alabama to tug the upset. If he can have a giant sport, Alabama ought to a minimum of cling round.
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Yahoo Sports Staff
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Yahoo Sports Staff
Hoosiers stall out on the 12-yard line and accept Nico Radicic’s 31-yard subject purpose.
Indiana 3, Alabama 0
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Ryan Young
Kalen DeBoer and the Alabama teaching workers got here out onto the sphere early there earlier than the top of the primary quarter, seemingly mad about one thing.
But after a clumsy second, and a retreat to the sidelines briefly, the clock ran out to finish the quarter. We’re nonetheless tied up, although Indiana has a brief subject purpose coming.
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Yahoo Sports Staff
The Hoosiers have moved the ball nicely after beginning this drive from the shadow of their very own finish zone. A pleasant toss from Fernando Mendoza to Charlie Becker has them in Alabama territory.
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Ryan Young
Both groups have the identical colours, and I’m sitting proper above the Indiana band, however that is clearly a really heavy Hoosiers crowd at present. Their offense has simply struggled to do a lot of something thus far.
Mendoza’s deep go to Charlie Becker there lastly woke them up, and acquired the Hoosiers throughout midfield for the primary time at present. We’ll see what comes of this drive.
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Yahoo Sports Staff
The Tide drove into Indiana territory however couldn’t fairly get into subject purpose vary. A pleasant punt pins Indiana at its personal 3-yard line.
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Yahoo Sports Staff
Another sack of Mendoza ends Indiana’s opening drive with a three-and-out. What a begin for the Crimson Tide protection.
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Yahoo Sports Staff
Alabama acquired after the Heisman-winning QB on the primary play from scrimmage.
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Yahoo Sports Staff
Indiana will obtain the opening kickoff of the Rose Bowl.
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Yahoo Sports Staff
So far, all 6 groups with first-round byes have misplaced because the 12-team playoff format was adopted final season. No. 1 Indiana has a shot to finish that skid with a win over No. 9 Alabama.
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Yahoo Sports Staff
After the Crimson Tide dominated over faculty soccer for thus a few years, it’s odd to look them as a 7-point underdog to Indiana on this CFP quarterfinal. But Alabama gamers and coaches are leaning into it.
Alabama QB Ty Simpson is attempting to guide his staff to an upset win within the Rose Bowl. (AP Foto/Alonzo Adams)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Ryan Young
The rain has stopped right here in Pasadena, and the sphere seems to be in nice form after days of tough climate. Looks like that’ll be a non-factor at present in any case.
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Yahoo Sports Staff
The No. 1 Hoosiers are 13-0 for the primary time in program historical past. But this doesn’t look like a fluke the best way Curt Cignetti has constructed this program.
Yahoo’s Ryan Young has the story
Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti has his program rolling in his third 12 months on the job. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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Yahoo Sports Staff
A century in the past, Alabama was the upstart program that altered the course of faculty soccer historical past. Today, Alabama will face an Indiana staff attempting to do what the Crimson Tide did 100 years in the past.
Alabama rallied to beat then undefeated Washington 20-19 to win the 1926 Rose Bowl. (Courtesy of the Paul W. Bryant Museum)
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Yahoo Sports Staff
It was pouring earlier within the day however that’s let up in the mean time and solar is beginning to present itself. We’ll see if that holds by kickoff at 4p ET.
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Yahoo Sports Staff
Here’s our full breakdown of the Rose Bowl showdown between Indiana and Alabama
Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza gained the Heisman Trophy and now he is trying to lead his staff to a nationwide title. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger, File)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
