ESPN College GameDay crew picks against Indiana in Rose Bowl

Two members of the ESPN College GameDay crew sided with Alabama, but No. 1 Indiana spent the opening half of the Rose Bowl flipping that script.

The unbeaten Hoosiers and Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza faced No. 9 Alabama on New Year’s Day in Pasadena with a College Football Playoff berth at stake. While the panel largely leaned Tide, Indiana authored the first statement, building a commanding 17-0 halftime lead that quieted the Alabama-heavy predictions.

Former Alabama coach Nick Saban and Desmond Howard both picked the Crimson Tide to overwhelm Indiana after a bye. Joey Galloway stood alone with the Hoosiers. Kirk Herbstreit did not make a pick, as he was in the booth calling the game alongside Chris Fowler.

ESPN College GameDay pregame picks for #RoseBowl #CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/9Z7SCQPTqL

Indiana entered 13-0 after edging Ohio State 13-10 in the Big Ten Championship Game, securing its first league title since 1967. Alabama arrived with momentum after rallying from a 17-point deficit to beat Oklahoma 34-24, a performance that fueled confidence among the GameDay panel.

More: What to watch in the Rose Bowl: Indiana's Heisman Fernando Mendoza takes center stage against Alabama

Indiana’s defense dictated the early tempo and Mendoza capitalized, guiding great drives that put pressure on Alabama’s offense. The Heisman winner went 10-of-12 for 93 yards and two touchdowns in the first half. 

With the Tide set to receive the second-half kickoff, the opening 30 minutes served as a reminder that expert picks don’t decide games. Given Indiana was No. 1, they deserve to be proven wrong on college football’s biggest stage.

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