If you're asking what was the score of alabama, you probably caught the tail end of a headline that felt like a glitch in the Matrix. It’s not every day you see the Crimson Tide on the receiving end of a blowout, especially in a stage as massive as the Rose Bowl. But on January 1, 2026, the scoreboard at the end of the night in Pasadena was a jarring 38–3 in favor of the Indiana Hoosiers.
It was ugly. Really ugly.
For fans used to the Nick Saban era of dominance—and even the early highs of the Kalen DeBoer transition—seeing Alabama manage only a single field goal for sixty minutes felt surreal. We aren't talking about a close loss on a missed kick or a controversial call. This was a systematic dismantling. Indiana, the top-seeded Cinderella story of the 2025-26 season, basically bullied the most storied program in college football from the opening drive to the final whistle.
The Historic Rose Bowl Beatdown
Most people asking about the score are looking for that specific CFP Quarterfinal result because it broke a lot of brains. Alabama trailed by 35 points. That hasn't happened to this program since 1998, back when Mike DuBose was at the helm and Bill Clinton was still in office. To put it in perspective, the 38–3 final score was the largest margin of defeat for Alabama in nearly three decades.
Kalen DeBoer’s squad looked out of sorts. Ty Simpson, who had been a steady hand for most of the season, struggled to find any rhythm against a Hoosiers defense that seemed to know the play calls before the ball was even snapped. He finished with barely over 100 yards passing. Meanwhile, the Hoosiers' quarterback, Fernando Mendoza, played like a man possessed. He didn't just win; he sent a message that the hierarchy of college football is shifting.
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How the Scoreboard Kept Moving
If you look at the drive charts, it’s even bleaker than the final number.
- First Quarter: Indiana jumped out early, and Bama's defense, usually a brick wall, looked like it was playing on ice.
- The Mid-Game Slump: By the time the third quarter rolled around, the Crimson Tide was essentially playing for pride.
- The Final Tally: 38 points for the Hoosiers, 3 for the Tide.
Conor Talty provided the only points for Alabama with a short field goal. That’s it. No touchdowns. No explosive plays from Germie Bernard or Daniel Hill. Just a long, quiet flight back to Tuscaloosa.
What Was the Score of Alabama Against Oklahoma?
Now, it’s easy to forget that just two weeks before the Rose Bowl disaster, Alabama actually pulled off one of the gutsiest wins in program history. If you're searching for the score of the CFP First Round game, that's a much happier memory for the Tide faithful.
Alabama beat Oklahoma 34–24 in Norman.
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That game was a rollercoaster. At one point, Bama was down 17–0 in a stadium that was absolutely rocking. People were already writing the obituary for their season. But then, things clicked. Ty Simpson started dealing, and a freshman named Lotzeir Brooks turned into a superstar overnight. Brooks caught two touchdowns, including a 30-yarder in the third quarter that gave Alabama its first lead.
The turning point? Zabien Brown’s 50-yard interception return for a touchdown in the second quarter. It sucked the life out of the Sooners' crowd and tied the game at 17. By the time Daniel Hill rumbled into the end zone for a six-yard score in the fourth, the 34–24 victory was sealed. It tied the record for the largest comeback in College Football Playoff history.
The 2025 Season Totals
Looking back at the full campaign, Alabama finished 11–4. That sounds great for 99% of programs, but in T-Town, four losses usually triggers a local state of emergency.
They had some massive wins, like the 24–21 nail-biter against Georgia in September and a 27–20 victory in the Iron Bowl to close out the regular season. But they also stumbled against Florida State in the opener and got throttled by Georgia in the SEC Championship (28–7). It was a season of extreme highs and "cover your eyes" lows.
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Key Stats from the Season
- Ty Simpson: Threw for over 3,500 yards and 28 touchdowns. He was the engine, even if that engine stalled in the Rose Bowl.
- Germie Bernard: Finished with 862 receiving yards. He became the "go-to" guy when things got tight.
- Deontae Lawson: The heart of the defense with 85 tackles, coming back from a brutal ACL injury the year prior.
Honestly, the inconsistency was the most frustrating part for fans. One week they’re erasing a 17-point lead against Oklahoma, and the next they’re getting held to 3 points in Pasadena. That’s the "new" college football for you—the gap between the blue bloods and the rest of the field is shrinking faster than a cheap t-shirt in the dryer.
What’s Next for the Tide?
The 2026 schedule is already out, and it doesn't get any easier. They open against East Carolina on September 5th, but the real tests come fast. They’ve got Florida State, Georgia, and Tennessee all on the slate.
If you're a bettor or just a die-hard fan, keep an eye on the transfer portal this spring. After a loss like that 38–3 Rose Bowl game, you can bet DeBoer and his staff are going to be aggressive in retooling the offensive line. They need more push up front if they want to avoid another stagnant performance.
To stay ahead of the curve on the next Alabama score, make sure you're tracking the spring practice reports. The quarterback battle might stay quiet since Simpson is the incumbent, but the wide receiver depth behind Brooks and Bernard is a major question mark. Watch for the A-Day game in April; that’s usually the first real indicator of whether the team has moved past the Rose Bowl trauma or if the scars are still fresh.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Track Recruitment: Watch the 2026 defensive line commits; the Rose Bowl showed a lack of depth in the trenches.
- Schedule Awareness: Mark October 10th on your calendar—the rematch against Georgia in Tuscaloosa will be the season's turning point.
- Stat Watch: Follow Lotzeir Brooks' sophomore progression; he is statistically poised to be the next great Bama WR.