The Rose Bowl is usually where dreams are made, but for the Crimson Tide this year, it felt more like a fever dream they couldn't wake up from. If you’re checking your phone and asking what score on alabama game just flashed across the screen, brace yourself. It isn't a typo.
Indiana 38, Alabama 3.
Yeah, you read that right. Three points. In a College Football Playoff Quarterfinal.
It was Jan. 1, 2026, and the "Granddaddy of Them All" turned into a nightmare for Kalen DeBoer's squad. Most of us expected a dogfight. Instead, we got a demolition. The top-seeded Indiana Hoosiers didn't just win; they physically manhandled the most storied program of the last two decades. It’s the kind of loss that makes you stare at the TV and wonder if you've accidentally slipped into an alternate dimension where the Big Ten is the new SEC.
Why the Score on the Alabama Game Was Such a Shock
Honestly, people are still trying to process how a team with Bama’s talent level could only muster a single field goal. The Crimson Tide entered the game with an 11-4 record, having just come off a gritty road win against Oklahoma in the first round of the playoffs. There was momentum. There was hope.
Then the kickoff happened.
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Indiana, led by Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza, looked like they were playing a different sport. While Bama struggled to find any rhythm, Mendoza was out there carving up the secondary with clinical precision. He finished with 192 yards and three touchdowns. But the real story wasn't just the passing—it was the fact that Indiana's offensive line treated Alabama's defensive front like a scout team.
The Hoosiers outgained the Tide 407 to 193. That’s a gap you usually see in early September "cupcake" games, not the Rose Bowl.
The Moment the Wheels Came Off
If you want to pinpoint exactly where things went south, look at the second quarter. Alabama was already down 3-0 after a long Indiana drive. Quarterback Ty Simpson was trying to make something happen, scrambling for his life, when he took a massive hit and fumbled. He cracked a rib on that play. He tried to tough it out, but he was clearly compromised.
Once Austin Mack stepped in during the third quarter, there was a brief spark—a 65-yard drive that led to a Conor Talty 28-yard field goal.
That was it. That was the only time Bama fans had anything to cheer about.
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Indiana responded with two back-to-back touchdown drives that basically sucked the air out of the stadium. Kaelon Black and Roman Hemby started ripping off chunks of yardage on the ground, and by the time the fourth quarter rolled around, the Indiana fans were chanting "Hoosier Daddy?" at the Alabama section. It was brutal to watch if you’re a Tide fan.
Breaking Down the Ugly Stats
Let's talk about the rushing numbers, because they are genuinely hard to believe. Alabama finished with 23 rushing yards. Total. On 17 attempts.
1.4 yards per carry.
When you can't run the ball in January, you're dead in the water. Indiana, on the other hand, racked up 215 yards on the ground. They held the ball for over 34 minutes, essentially playing "keep away" while the Tide's defense grew more exhausted by the minute.
Key Game Contributors
- Fernando Mendoza (IU): 14-of-16 for 192 yards and 3 TDs. Basically perfect.
- Kaelon Black (IU): 99 rushing yards and a touchdown that broke Bama’s spirit in the 4th.
- Ty Simpson (Bama): 67 passing yards before the injury.
- Conor Talty (Bama): The only man to put points on the board.
It wasn't just the offense that failed. The defense, which had been solid for most of the year, gave up 9-of-14 on third downs. You can't win playoff games when you can't get off the field. It felt like every time Indiana needed five yards, they got six. Every time they needed a big catch, Elijah Sarratt or Charlie Becker was there to make it.
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What This Means for Alabama Moving Forward
Losing is one thing. Getting "bully-balled" out of the Rose Bowl is another. This was Alabama's biggest blowout loss since 1998. Think about that for a second. We’re talking pre-Saban era levels of struggle.
Kalen DeBoer was pretty candid after the game. He talked about being frustrated and how losing "doesn't sit well" for the program. But the reality is that the gap between the elite and the rest of the field is shifting. Indiana, under Curt Cignetti, has turned into a powerhouse in just two seasons. They were tougher, meaner, and more precise.
For Bama, the off-season is going to be long and full of questions. The offensive line needs a complete identity shift. You can't have a season-long struggle with the run and expect to survive the 12-team playoff format. It’s too grueling.
Other Alabama Scores You Might Be Looking For
If you weren't looking for the football score, the Tide has been busy elsewhere. The sports world doesn't stop just because the Rose Bowl was a dud.
On the hardwood, the No. 21 Alabama women’s basketball team just dropped a tough one to Auburn, 58-54. It was a "grungy" game, as the reporters called it. Lots of turnovers (38 combined!) and a lot of physical defense. Jessica Timmons tried to save the day with a late three-pointer, but a charging foul with four seconds left sealed their fate.
Over in the gym, the No. 4 Alabama gymnastics team just went toe-to-toe with No. 1 Florida. They lost by a hair—197.425 to 197.275. Azaraya Ra-Akbar was a standout, grabbing a share of the vault and floor titles, but Florida’s depth was just too much in the end.
Actionable Takeaways for Bama Fans
- Football Schedule: The 2026 schedule is already out. Mark Sept. 5 on your calendar—that’s the opener against East Carolina. It’s the first chance for redemption.
- Recruiting Watch: Keep an eye on the transfer portal this spring. After the Rose Bowl performance, expect DeBoer to be aggressive in looking for O-line help.
- Support Other Sports: The gymnastics and basketball teams are in the thick of SEC play. Even if football is over, the Tide is still competing at a high level elsewhere.
The Rose Bowl result was a gut punch, no doubt. But in Tuscaloosa, the standard doesn't change just because of one bad afternoon in Pasadena. The process of getting back to the top starts now. It's going to be a very busy spring at Bryant-Denny.