As soon as dubbed by legendary broadcaster Keith Jackson as “The Granddaddy of them All,” the Rose Bowl has modified dramatically in recent times — a mirrored image of faculty soccer as an entire. Whereas it now not options the most effective of the Massive Ten and the Pac-12, it is nonetheless one of the crucial anticipated occasions on the faculty soccer calendar yearly as an annual website for the School Soccer Playoff quarterfinal.
What hasn’t modified is the time the sport is performed, or the gorgeous setting. Additionally, as luck would have it, the Massive Ten champion will play within the recreation this 12 months, with the No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers squaring off in opposition to No. 9 Alabama.
That is Indiana’s second straight season reaching the School Soccer Playoff, and the Hoosiers are hoping it goes higher than final 12 months once they misplaced a first-round recreation at Notre Dame. Alabama didn’t make the 12-team area final season, however is a playoff common, and got here again from a 17-0 deficit to beat No. 8 Oklahoma within the first spherical.
It is the primary matchup between these two faculties with very completely different backgrounds, and the winner will transfer on to face the winner of the Orange Bowl within the Peach Bowl on Jan. 9. With inclement climate situations anticipated on the 2026 Rose Bowl, a rarity for this legendary recreation, something is on the desk.
The place to observe Alabama vs. Indiana reside
Date: Thursday, Jan. 1 | Time: 4 p.m. ET
Location: The Rose Bowl — Pasadena, California
TV: ESPN | Stay stream: Fubo (Attempt without cost)
Observe together with reside updates and evaluation as Indiana faces Alabama within the 2026 Rose Bowl Sport.
Alabama vs. Indiana: Must know for Rose Bowl
That is the primary time Indiana will play a recreation because the No. 1 crew within the nation: When the Hoosiers beat Ohio State within the Massive Ten Championship it did not simply outcome of their first Massive Ten championship since 1967, it moved them to No. 1 within the CFP ballot in addition to the AP Prime 25. It is the primary time in historical past the Hoosiers have been No. 1 within the AP ballot, which implies that once they take the sector in Pasadena, it will be the primary time they’ve performed a recreation because the No. 1 crew within the nation. How ironic that it comes in opposition to this system that is been thought of probably the most dominant of the BCS and playoff period?
Alabama has been to extra Rose Bowls than Indiana: The SEC has by no means had a tie-in with the Rose Bowl, however this shall be Alabama’s ninth look within the recreation. The Tide have been final right here for a School Soccer Playoff semifinal in opposition to Michigan on New Yr’s Day of 2024, dropping to the Wolverines. Additionally they received a Rose Bowl in the course of the 2020 School Soccer Playoff. Their final journey to the sport that wasn’t a playoff look was in 1945, which was one in all their six appearances from 1926 to 1946.
Fernando Mendoza is the primary Heisman winner in Indiana program historical past: Given Indiana’s lack of general success in soccer, this should not come as a shock. Mendoza received the Heisman Trophy this 12 months after main the Hoosiers to an undefeated season and a Massive Ten title. It is his first 12 months with Indiana, as he started his faculty soccer profession at California earlier than transferring to the Massive Ten. It appears the transfer was a sensible resolution on Mendoza’s half.
Alabama vs. Indiana prediction, picks
The full for this one feels somewhat low. I am not anticipating a shootout, however I do consider each offenses are able to transferring the ball in opposition to these opposing defenses. Oklahoma in all probability ought to’ve scored greater than it did in opposition to Alabama within the first spherical, and whereas Indiana’s protection has been distinctive, it has been vulnerable to permitting explosive passes this season, which is an space Alabama thrives. Will not be a shootout, nevertheless it will not be a rock combat, both. Choose: Over 48.5
Who will win and canopy in every faculty soccer bowl and playoff recreation? SportsLine’s pc mannequin simply simulated every matchup 10,000 instances and has revealed its picks. Go to SportsLine now to see all its faculty soccer picks.
