Top-Ranked Indiana Faces Alabama in High-Stakes College Football Playoff Quarterfinal
PASADENA, Calif. — The 2025-26 College Football Playoff quarterfinals are set to deliver one of the most anticipated matchups of the postseason when No. 1 Indiana University meets No. 9 University of Alabama at the historic Rose Bowl Stadium on Jan. 1, 2026. This game will determine who advances closer to the national semifinals in a season filled with dramatic turnarounds and powerhouse narratives.
The undefeated Indiana Hoosiers arrive in Pasadena with a perfect 13-0 record, powered by Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza and a defense that has been among the nation’s best all season. This marks the Hoosiers’ second Rose Bowl appearance and a historic chance to write a new chapter in program lore.
Alabama, a traditional college football giant, punched its ticket after a thrilling 34-24 comeback win over Oklahoma in the CFP first round. The Crimson Tide, one of the most decorated programs in playoff history, aim to use its rich postseason experience to shock the top seed and propel its championship hopes forward.
This quarterfinal pits two very different histories against one another: a rising Indiana team that has stunned college football with consistent excellence and an Alabama squad looking to reassert its dominance on the national stage. No. 1 vs. No. 9 matchups always bring drama, but this one carries extra weight — it’s the first-ever meeting between these teams in CFP play.
The game will be broadcast live on ESPN at 4 p.m. ET, drawing fans nationwide eager to see whether Indiana can remain unbeaten or whether Alabama’s championship pedigree will shine through on New Year’s Day.
With a spot in the semifinals on the line, this Rose Bowl quarterfinal has become one of the defining moments of the 2025 college football season — blending tradition, rising stars and playoff drama into a single unforgettable showdown.
