Indiana Hoosiers vs Alabama Crimson Tide – Rose Bowl Preview & Prediction
Ty Simpson vs Fernando Mendoza in the Rose Bowl with a trip to the College Football Playoff Semifinals on the line. Curt Cignetti and Kalen DeBoer have their teams heading into this game both coming off wins vs blue blood programs, Bama took down John Mateer, Brent Venables and Oklahoma on the road, the first time a home team has lost in the CFP.
Ryan Williams and Germie Bernard had quiet games, in order to have success vs Louis Moore and D’Angelo Ponds two of the best defensive backs in the country and in the middle there is Aidan Fisher and Isaiah Jones who make one of the best linebacker duos in the country, the same way Justin Jefferson and Deontae Lawson were dominant vs OU.
The run game is where there is a significant advantage, Jam Miller has been consistent but the Alabama run game is nowhere near Kaelon Black and Roman Hemby and the athleticism of Fernando Mendoza Heisman trophy winner and the Hoosiers run game. Tyrique Tucker, Mario Landino and Mikail Kamara are all NFL draft prospects with great production this year in Bryant Haines defense they’ll make life difficult on Ryan Grubb and Ty Simpson, the same way Tim Keenan, Yhonzae Pierre will. The LT Overton injury is a key part of this matchup to monitor as he is arguably Alabama’s best defensive player, the Stephen Daly injury is also important as he was a great Defenive Line player.
Elijah Sarratt, Omar Cooper Jr and Charlie Becker have been incredible this year and will be tough covers for Keon Sabb, Domani Jackson & Bray Hubbard, they need to be wary of the back shoulder throws that Indiana and their offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan love to run. Isaiah Horton and Lotzier Brooks(the star of the CFP First Round) and Josh Cuevas add to the Alabama depth when the attention goes to Ryan Williams and Germie Bernard, on the grass in Pasadena New Years day they could be crucial to keep them in the game.
This is a Blue Blood vs a newcomer matchup, Indiana hadn’t won a Big 10 outright title since 1945 and they’re 7 point favorites in the Rose Bowl with the second best odds to win the National Championship. Enjoy this CFP Quarterfinal Matchup Preview from Blitz With Blinder Video hosted by Josh Blinder.
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