You probably didn't see it coming. Honestly, most of us didn't. If you’d told a college football fan two years ago that Indiana—the program with more losses than any other in FBS history—would be standing on the Rose Bowl podium holding a trophy after dismantling Alabama, they would’ve laughed you out of the room.
But here we are in 2026. The 112th edition of the "Granddaddy of Them All" just wrapped up, and it wasn't even close.
Indiana won the Rose Bowl by a staggering score of 38–3.
They didn't just win. They "broke" Alabama, a program that defined the gold standard of the sport for decades. It was a cold, clinical demolition in Pasadena that signaled a permanent shift in the power balance of the new 12-team playoff era.
The Day the Hoosiers Took Over Pasadena
The lead-up to the game was weirdly cinematic. Southern California had been hammered by nearly 24 hours of steady rain, making the Rose Bowl turf slick and the air heavy. By the time the Hoosiers and the Crimson Tide kicked off on January 1, 2026, the clouds were beginning to part, but the field was still a challenge.
Indiana, the No. 1 seed, didn't care about the mud.
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After a scoreless first quarter—the first time that's happened in the Rose Bowl in 26 years—Indiana just... exploded. It started with a grueling 16-play drive that ate up almost nine minutes of the clock. When Nicolas Radicic nailed a 31-yard field goal to put the Hoosiers up 3-0, the Alabama fans in the stands seemed unbothered. It’s Bama, right? They’ll figure it out.
Except they never did.
Fernando Mendoza and the Heisman Statement
Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza didn't need to put up 500 yards to prove he was the best player in the country. He was surgical. He finished the game 14-of-16 for 192 yards and three touchdowns. That's a 87.5% completion rate against an Alabama secondary.
The turning point was a 4th-and-1 stop by the Indiana defense deep in Alabama territory. Immediately after the turnover, Mendoza found Charlie Becker on a 21-yard strike. 10-0. Then came the backbreaker: a Ty Simpson fumble late in the second quarter that Indiana turned into a 1-yard touchdown pass to Omar Cooper Jr. with just 17 seconds left on the clock.
17–0 at halftime.
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Alabama looked shell-shocked. Coach Kalen DeBoer tried to find a spark by benching Ty Simpson—who was struggling with a cracked rib—in favor of Austin Mack. It didn't matter. The Hoosier defense, led by Aiden Fisher and Mikail Kamara, lived in the Alabama backfield. The Tide was held to a measly 23 rushing yards.
Why This Rose Bowl Result Matters So Much
If we look back at who won the Rose Bowl in recent years, the names are usually the usual suspects. Ohio State took it in 2025 by beating Oregon 41–21. Michigan won it in 2024. But Indiana? This is their first Rose Bowl victory in school history.
It’s the ultimate proof that the 12-team playoff hasn't just added more games; it’s leveled the playing field for programs that were once considered "basketball schools."
Curt Cignetti has done the impossible in two seasons. He took a team that was the "losingest" program in history and turned them into a physical juggernaut that out-Bama'd Bama. The Hoosiers finished with 215 rushing yards, moving the pile at will against a defensive line that usually does the bullying.
Recent Rose Bowl Winners at a Glance
- 2026: Indiana 38, Alabama 3
- 2025: Ohio State 41, Oregon 21 (Quarterfinal)
- 2024: Michigan 27, Alabama 20 (Semifinal)
- 2023: Penn State 35, Utah 21
- 2022: Ohio State 48, Utah 45
What Happened to Alabama?
It’s fair to ask: was this a fluke? Probably not. Alabama entered the game as the No. 9 seed, having fought through a grueling SEC schedule. They looked tired. Ty Simpson's injury certainly didn't help, but the issues were deeper. They couldn't protect the quarterback, and they couldn't stop the run.
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The Crimson Tide’s lone points came from a Conor Talty 28-yard field goal late in the third quarter. By then, Indiana was already up 24-0. The fourth quarter was just a victory lap, with Kaelon Black and Roman Hemby tacking on rushing touchdowns to make the final margin a humiliating 35 points.
The imagery after the game said it all. Instead of the traditional Gatorade bath, Indiana players Elijah Sarratt and Aiden Fisher grabbed a bucket of actual roses and showered Coach Cignetti. It was a "rose bath." It was iconic. It was also a signal that the old guard might finally be losing its grip.
Looking Ahead: The Aftermath of Pasadena
Indiana is now moving on to the College Football Playoff semifinals to face Oregon at the Peach Bowl. For those keeping track, Indiana already beat Oregon earlier this season in Eugene, 30–20. If they win that, they're heading to the National Championship against either Miami or whoever survives the other side of the bracket.
For the rest of the college football world, the lesson is clear: don't ignore the "new" teams. The transfer portal and the expanded playoff have created a world where a smart coach and a locked-in quarterback can turn a dormant program into a national titan in less than 24 months.
If you’re looking to understand the impact of this win, keep an eye on Indiana’s recruiting classes for 2027 and 2028. This Rose Bowl victory isn't just a trophy on a shelf; it’s a massive recruiting tool that will likely haunt the rest of the Big Ten for years.
Your next steps for following the CFP:
- Check the updated injury report for Indiana's offensive line before the Peach Bowl.
- Watch the film on Fernando Mendoza's third-down efficiency; it's currently leading the nation.
- Monitor the transfer portal entries from Alabama, as several starters are rumored to be looking for new homes after the blowout.