Indiana (No. 1) will play Alabama (No. 9) in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinals at the Rose Bowl on Thursday January 1st at 4 p.m. on ESPN, marking the first-ever meeting between the two programs. The Hoosiers are undefeated (13-0) and hosting their first Rose Bowl since 1968.

Last year we saw the teams with a bye struggle, after the long layoff. I think we may see the same in this case, and I would not be shocked if Bama wins. I think this game comes down to the very end. 

IU is early 6.5 point favorite. 

Hot take?  Alabama isn't that good and drew a weak Oklahoma team in round 1.  But I think they'll get a lot of rep on the spread/lines for this game because of their legacy.

I’ll take Indiana. Nothing has convinced me that they aren’t outside of the top two. 

IU up to 7 point favorite now.

Indiana 34

Bama 24

If Bama gets a running game going I like their chances. Nothing has convinced me the Big 10 is as good as the SEC.  

19 minutes ago, snakesnot_2000 said:

If Bama gets a running game going I like their chances. Nothing has convinced me the Big 10 is as good as the SEC.  

It would be nice if college football develops to the point where conferences don't mean much, if anything, and the Big 10 Teams and the SEC teams can schedule each other for multiple games.  Then we would have a solid idea. 

11 minutes ago, theguru said:

It would be nice if college football develops to the point where conferences don't mean much, if anything, and the Big 10 Teams and the SEC teams can schedule each other for multiple games.  Then we would have a solid idea. 

I agree.

Indiana by at least 2 touchdowns.

Bama cannot run the football in the second half of the year, and is too one-dimensional to beat really good teams.

Rushing yards in their last 6 games against FBS opponents: 72, 56, 80, 158, -3, 28. Average of 65 yards rushing per game in that span.

On 12/25/2025 at 11:55 AM, snakesnot_2000 said:

If Bama gets a running game going I like their chances. Nothing has convinced me the Big 10 is as good as the SEC.  

Have you been watching the bowl games?

4 minutes ago, 9068 said:

Have you been watching the bowl games?

That and seeing all the scores, wow SEC, tough sledding. 

I only care about the CFP. Bama should take care of Indiana. 

10 minutes ago, snakesnot_2000 said:

I only care about the CFP. Bama should take care of Indiana. 

Every talking head I have listened to is all over IU in this game.  I would want to listen to Urban Meyer again because I didn't hear all but either way the talking heads are in love with Indiana.