JessN: Indiana Preview: The Search for Analogs as Bama Goes Against an Unfamiliar Foe

[JessN]

Indiana preview: The search for analogs as Bama goes against an unfamiliar foe​

by Jess Nicholas, TideFans.com Editor-In-Chief

The hardest part about comparative analysis is comparing two teams for which no common baseline exists.

When Alabama faces off against Indiana in the Rose Bowl, the only commonalities the two teams have are that both teams played a game against Wisconsin this year, and Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti wouldn’t get lost if you dropped him in the middle of Tuscaloosa.

CONTINUE READING​

TideFans.com | By the Fans, For the Fans. - Indiana preview: The search for analogs as Bama goes against an unfamiliar foe

The hardest part about comparative analysis is comparing two teams for which no common baseline exists. When Alabama faces off against Indiana in the Rose Bowl, the only commonalities the two teams…

news.tidefans.com

______________
CFP Quarterfinals Game Info: Alabama vs Indiana (ESPN @ 3pm CT )

• Games on TV: 2025 College Football Bowl & Playoff Games on TV (Dec-Jan 2025)
• Bama v Indiana Game Threads: Pre | 1H | 2H | Post || Complaint
• Other Game Threads
• RADIO | TV: Listen | ESPN
  • Main: ESPN
  • Skycast: ESPNU
  • Command Center: ESPNN
  • Field Pass: ESPN2
  • Skycast w/ Bama radio: SECN
• JessN Indiana previews:
  • Indiana Preview: The Search for Analogs as Bama Goes Against an Unfamiliar Foe
  • Projected Depth Chart for Alabama vs. Indiana

 

[The Ols]

TideFans.com | By the Fans, For the Fans. - Indiana preview: The search for analogs as Bama goes against an unfamiliar foe

The hardest part about comparative analysis is comparing two teams for which no common baseline exists. When Alabama faces off against Indiana in the Rose Bowl, the only commonalities the two teams…

news.tidefans.com

No Crimson glasses…a solid preview w/a very reasonable outcome…Roll Tide!!!

 

[Bama Lee]

TideFans.com | By the Fans, For the Fans. - Indiana preview: The search for analogs as Bama goes against an unfamiliar foe

The hardest part about comparative analysis is comparing two teams for which no common baseline exists. When Alabama faces off against Indiana in the Rose Bowl, the only commonalities the two teams…

news.tidefans.com

Great analysis…. Thx JessN

 

[Cruloc]

Interesting. Didnt expect that prediction, but i like it.

 

[Toddrn]

As a team we are the healthiest we have been in awhile. We've overcome struggles and had people count us out. We fought back from a 17 point deficit against OU. IU hasn't played in almost a month. They've been celebrating winning the B1G and a Heisman. I believe we have a great chance to knock them off and shock the college football world. Roll Tide!!!

 

[CajunCrimson]

As a team we are the healthiest we have been in awhile. We've overcome struggles and had people count us out. We fought back from a 17 point deficit against OU. IU hasn't played in almost a month. They've been celebrating winning the B1G and a Heisman. I believe we have a great chance to knock them off and shock the college football world. Roll Tide!!!

That paragraph would have been insane to read even 5 years ago. A lot has changed here on Walton’s Mountain

 

[ROCKEE]

As usual Jess, great job. I like it!

 

[BamaMoon]

I like it...a lot!!!

 

[tusks_n_raider]

Interesting. Didnt expect that prediction, but i like it.

I’m stunned.

I thought the score would be in that ballpark but in IUs favor.

I’ll take the prediction though…lol

 

[Slowpoke Catracho]

Great Job! I'll take it!

 

[M Squires]

Daley is a massive loss for Indiana—without him Bama’s defensive line is much more disruptive—especially if LJ can be himself.

Indiana WRs are the key to their running game. All four of them block extremely well.

The description of CB Ponds is a miss; he is the best shutdown corner in the Big Ten. He gave up seven inches and was singled up against Jeremiah Smith all game in 2024–held him to 34 yards, and held him under 100 until a last play Hail Mary and with no Tds this year.

 

[64 Grad]

Very interesting analyses. It is hard to rank Simpson better than Medoza at this point, although Simpson looked really good against Oklahoma. Simpson at his best is the strength of the offense. Some people think we will be able to run against Indiana and I am not sure why, but I think we can. This will be a big help for Simpson. Other than that, the intangibles are in Alabama's favor. Because of that I agree with the prediction. The most significant intangible is the layoff. The layoff helps Alabama.

 

[Saban4Ever]

Nice write up and prediction! If we can run the ball some and get off to a fast start (and not wait until the 2nd quarter or later) and have zero turnovers, I think we win. I sure hope so because if/when we do win, I plan to go to the semi finals in Atlanta!

 

[Bamabuzzard]

I'm very surprised at the prediction. But I'll take it. Need to limit mistakes and wasted drives and our defense needs to eat.

 

[Isaiah 63:1]

Maybe I get an F for reading comprehension, but I don’t think I saw in your write up a single mention of the fact that IU beat Oregon, at Oregon, let alone by pulling away in the fourth quarter. No matter how good overall the B1G may be, I think it’s beyond dispute that both Ohio State and Oregon are legitimate CFP teams, and IU handed each its only loss on the season. Perhaps the Hoosiers muddle through games against some lesser opponents, but Cignetti appears able to get his team up for the big games (sound familiar?).

 

[Bamabuzzard]

Maybe I get an F for reading comprehension, but I don’t think I saw in your write up a single mention of the fact that IU beat Oregon, at Oregon, let alone by pulling away in the fourth quarter. No matter how good overall the B1G may be, I think it’s beyond dispute that both Ohio State and Oregon are legitimate CFP teams, and IU handed each its only loss on the season. Perhaps the Hoosiers muddle through games against some lesser opponents, but Cignetti appears able to get his team up for the big games (sound familiar?).

I think what's baked into the prediction is Indiana's not having to accumulate physically challenging games like an SEC schedule requires. Alabama from a physicality standpoint is more experienced than Indiana.

Our defense is now completely healthy and should be on all systems go. I think we challenge their physicality more than they challenge ours.

 

[Krymsonman]

Great analysis! I hope this prediction is correct! Thanks Jess

 

[UAH]

Nice write up and prediction! If we can run the ball some and get off to a fast start (and not wait until the 2nd quarter or later) and have zero turnovers, I think we win. I sure hope so because if/when we do win, I plan to go to the semi finals in Atlanta!

My thoughts after reading were that if Indiana was successful in running the ball and putting together sustained drives it could become a long day for Bama. Likewise Jam Miller had some success on the edge early on before his concussion. If Bama could get back to that along with Hill making some runs in the middle it could be huge.

 

[Saban4Ever]

I just looked at the updated weather... looks like it will rain each day starting Dec. 31-Jan. 6, fairly high percentage of rain daily. I hate that for the parade and the game. Unfortunately, I believe the rain favors Indiana since they can run the ball better than we can. Turnovers and field position will be even more of an issue now for both teams.

 

[DrollTide]

I actually think Alabama is the better team who has spent the last several games shooting itself in the foot. Alabama is also far more talented in terms of raw stars - for instance I read that Bama has more 5 stars than Indiana has 4 stars. The Hoosiers look to be very disciplined, and they will win a game where they force mistakes and commit few themselves. But overall I really like Alabama in this game and I like the bracket.