Indiana is beginning its College Football Playoff journey with its first Rose Bowl appearance since 1968 as No. 1 seed IU will take on No. 9 seed Alabama in a quarterfinal showdown. The Hoosiers beat Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game to secure the top spot in the bracket, and now they have another blueblood in their sights with a spot in the CFP semifinals hanging in the balance.The winner will advance to the Peach Bowl on Jan. 9 in Atlanta to play (4) Texas Tech, (5) Oregon or (12) James Madison.In a bygone era, the concept of Indiana being a favorite over Alabama in such a high-stakes game would have been inconceivable. But it’s a new day for Indiana football, which has risen to prominence under second-year coach Curt Cignetti with a transfer-fueled run for the ages.Alabama remains a formidable program stocked with blue-chip talent, but the Crimson Tide are in for a fight as they head west to take on a team that has been the most dominant in college football. After bouncing back from a lopsided SEC Championship Game loss to Georgia with a comeback win over No. 8 seed Oklahoma in the first round, the Crimson Tide appear to have regained their swagger.
These programs have never met, but they do have some connections. Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer served as the offensive coordinator for an 8-win Indiana team in 2019. Since then, he’s proven his mettle as an FBS head coach during two-year stints at Fresno State, Washington and Alabama.Indiana coach Curt Cignetti worked as Alabama’s wide receivers coach under Nick Saban from 2007-11 before starting a head coaching journey that took him through Division II, the FCS and the Group of Five. Indiana finally gave him a Power Five opportunity, and he’s rewarded their faith by turning the Hoosiers into a juggernaut.
What to know about IndianaIndiana is completing one of the most stunning rises of college football history under second-year Cignetti, who has amassed a 24-2 record since arriving from James Madison. Cignetti inherited a program that had never won 10 games in its 125-year existence and has guided it to consecutive CFP appearances in a rapid rise that defies logic. The Hoosiers tabled any lingering doubt…
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2025-12-20 05:06:11
