The 112th Rose Bowl, a College Football Playoff quarterfinal sport, takes achieve Contemporary Years Day in Pasadena, California, featuring surely one of basically the most habitual matchups the game can offer.
No. 1 seed Indiana, a program that entered this season with the most losses in history, went 13-0 in the attend of Heisman Trophy-a hit quarterback Fernando Mendoza. The Hoosiers will face No. 9 seed Alabama (11-3), the college with the third-most wins ever.
Who will advance out on top in “The Granddaddy of Them All” and proceed its march toward a national championship? Right here is what it be fundamental to know.
112th Rose Bowl
Date: Jan. 1, 2026
Time: 4 p.m. ET, 1 p.m. PT
Dilemma: Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, Calif.
glimpse: ESPN or circulation on ESPN+
Key gamers to glimpse
Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza: Mendoza, a Cal transfer who signed with the Hoosiers in the offseason, has been nothing quick of outstanding. He threw for 2,980 yards with 33 touchdowns and only six interceptions whereas main the group to an undefeated season and the stop overall seed. Mendoza is anticipated to be a first-round selection in the 2026 NFL draft.
Indiana WR Omar Cooper: The 6-foot wideout — who had the obtain of the year in opposition to Penn Explain this season — leads the Hoosiers with 58 receptions for 804 yards and 11 touchdowns. There became as soon as a likelihood he would miss this sport on legend of of a lower-physique injure he sustained in the Broad Ten title sport, however he’s anticipated to play.
Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson: Indulge in Mendoza, Simpson is a doable first-round opt who lit up college soccer this season. He passed for 3,500 yards with 28 touchdowns and only five interceptions. Consistency shall be fundamental: He struggled in the SEC Championship Game in opposition to Georgia however bounced attend with a monumental performance in a avenue obtain in opposition to Oklahoma final week.
Alabama left tackle Kaden Proctor: With rain in the forecast making it more tough to traipse, attach a question to of a heavy dose of speeding from both squads. Proctor, continuously known as surely some of the finest offensive linemen in the nation, might maybe maybe maintain a monumental characteristic in helping the Crimson Tide’s running backs catch holes in the Hoosiers’ complex line of defense.
Greg Rosenstein is the sports editor for NBC Files Digital.