Rose Bowl Game

Multiple published reports state that Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson intends to declare for the 2026 NFL draft. The University of Alabama junior just ended a problematic season with the Crimson Tide being shellacked in the Rose Bowl by number one ranked Indiana. The Hoosiers will play in the Peach Bowl Friday to see if the team can advance to the college football championship.

Sportswriters have no end of Rose Bowl story lines as the Crimson Tide prepares to face Indiana (for the first time ever—one more angle.) Observers didn’t know that when Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe was stopped on a fourth down in overtime by Michigan in 2023 that Nick Saban had coached his final game for Alabama.

Last weekend's first round of the College Football Playoff averaged 9.9 million viewers on ABC, ESPN, TNT, TBS and truTV, according to ESPN and Nielson. That is a 7% drop from last year. Alabama's win over Oklahoma was the exception.

Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti believes his four seasons working with Nick Saban helped him learn how to prioritize organization, avoid complacency and maintain high standards. In fact, Cignetti thinks it's a primary reason he's preparing for his first Rose Bowl as a head coach. Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer feels similarly about the one season he spent at Indiana.

Alabama and Indiana couldn't have more different football histories. This Indiana team couldn't be more unlike the program's painful past. Alabama will play No. 1 Indiana in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1 in a national quarterfinal matchup between a blue blood and the ultimate upstart. Alabama is one of the most successful programs in college football, with six national titles this century. Indiana has never won a New Year’s Six game and has no bowl victories since 1991.

The University of Alabama is the first team to advance in this year’s college football playoffs. Oklahoma was on its way to be the first team to beat Alabama twice in one season since Grover Cleveland was President. The Sooners led seventeen to nothing in the second quarter. That when the Tide came to life.

Alabama offensive tackle JC Latham plans to enter the NFL draft. Latham, a two-year starter at right tackle, announced his decision in a post on Instagram. Alabama center Seth McLaughlin, who struggled with errant snaps against Michigan in the College Football Playoffs, has entered the transfer portal.

Alabama linebacker Dallas Turner says he’s declaring for the NFL and he may not alone. Observers of the Crimson Tide have a list of players likely to want to go pro following Alabama’s loss in the Rose Bowl.

Jalen Milroe helped rally Alabama with his legs and put the fourth-ranked Crimson Tide on the verge of its seventh appearance in the College Football Playoff championship game. The dynamic quarterback was denied at the very end.

In a sport long defined by its coaching giants, Nick Saban and Jim Harbaugh are among the few larger-than-life figures still standing. Saban has won six national championships at Alabama, establishing the most successful program of the 21st century. Harbaugh has completely revitalized his alma mater, reaching three straight College Football Playoffs at Michigan with style and controversy.