Honestly, if you're looking for the game score Alabama today, you’re probably still reeling from what happened in Pasadena. It wasn't just a loss. It was a 38-3 demolition at the hands of the Indiana Hoosiers in the Rose Bowl. For a program built on "The Process" and decades of dominance, seeing a scoreboard reflect a 35-point deficit feels like a glitch in the Matrix.
People expected a fight. Instead, we got a one-sided clinic.
The reality of Alabama football in 2026 is becoming increasingly complicated. While the basketball team is out here dropping 97 points on Mississippi State, the football team just ended its season with one of the most lopsided playoff losses in school history. It’s weird. It’s frustrating. And if you’re a Tide fan, it’s probably keeping you up at night wondering where the "Bama Standard" went.
Breaking down the Rose Bowl disaster
The final score was 38-3. Let that sink in for a second. Alabama managed a single field goal. One.
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Indiana, led by Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza, looked like the Alabama of old. Mendoza was surgical, throwing three touchdowns and completing 14 of 16 passes. He didn't just beat the Tide; he toyed with them. Meanwhile, Alabama’s offense was basically non-existent. They were outgained 407 to 193 in total yardage. You can’t win games in the modern era when you can’t even crack 200 yards of offense.
The rushing attack was the biggest shocker. Alabama finished with 23 rushing yards. Twenty-three.
In the second quarter, Indiana exploded for 17 points, and the Tide never recovered. By the time Kaelon Black ripped off a 25-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to make it 31-3, most of the Alabama faithful in the Rose Bowl were already heading for the exits. It was a total system failure from the coaching staff down to the execution on the field.
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What went wrong with the Crimson Tide?
You've gotta look at the trenches. Indiana’s defensive line lived in the Alabama backfield. Ty Simpson and Austin Mack were under constant duress, combined for three sacks, and couldn't find any rhythm.
- Third Down Woes: Alabama went 3-of-11 on third downs.
- Turnovers: A critical Ty Simpson fumble in the first half set the tone for the blowout.
- Lack of Identity: At no point did it feel like Alabama had a "go-to" play or player when things got tough.
The Hoosiers played keep-away, holding the ball for over 34 minutes. It was a masterclass in ball control and defensive discipline. Every time Alabama tried to mount a drive, a penalty or a negative play killed the momentum. It felt uncharacteristic. It felt... ordinary.
Looking ahead: Is the dynasty over?
The "game score Alabama today" reflects a team in transition. While the 11-4 record isn't "bad" by most standards, at Alabama, it's a crisis. Losing to Georgia in the SEC Championship was one thing, but getting embarrassed by Indiana in a quarterfinal is another animal entirely.
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However, it's not all doom and gloom in Tuscaloosa. The 2026 schedule is already out, and it’s a gauntlet. They open with East Carolina on September 5, but the real tests come early with a trip to Kentucky and a massive home game against Florida State.
The recruiting classes are still ranked near the top. The talent is there. What seems to be missing is that psychological edge—the "fear of God" they used to put into opponents. When Indiana fans are chanting "Hoosier Daddy?" in the final minutes of a Rose Bowl against the Tide, you know the aura has faded a bit.
Actionable steps for Tide fans
If you're looking for a way to process this season or prepare for the next, here is how to stay ahead of the curve:
- Watch the Hardwood: Don't sleep on the basketball team. They are currently 12-5 and playing some of the fastest, most exciting ball in the SEC. Their 97-82 win over Mississippi State showed they have the offensive firepower the football team lacked.
- Monitor the Portal: With the season over, expect some movement. Alabama needs help on the offensive line and at wide receiver. Keep an eye on the spring transfer window; it's going to be busy.
- Circle September 19: That Florida State game in Tuscaloosa will be the "vibe check" for the 2026 season. If they don't look significantly more physical by then, the questions about the program's direction will only get louder.
- Check the Gymnastics Scores: In a bit of a "today" update, the No. 4 Alabama gymnastics team just narrowly lost to No. 1 Florida (197.425–197.275) on January 16. Even when they lose lately, it's coming down to the very last routine.
The 38-3 score from the Rose Bowl is going to be a talking point for years. It might be the wake-up call the program needs, or it might be the first real sign that the power center of college football has shifted North. Either way, the "Alabama today" narrative is no longer about winning championships by default—it's about whether they can find their way back to the top of the mountain.
Keep an eye on the 2026 recruiting early enrollees. The spring game will be our first look at whether the coaching staff has fixed the structural issues that Indiana exposed. The talent hasn't left the building, but the execution definitely did.