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One of college football’s perennial powerhouses was looking like anything but in the first three quarters of the College Football Playoff quarterfinal.
And one of the sport’s biggest pundits almost couldn’t believe what he was seeing on the field.
With Alabama trailing 17-0 to No. 1 Indiana, ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit gave an honest assessment of what was taking place at the Rose Bowl on Thursday afternoon.
Kirk Herbstreit: "It feels like Alabama, it's just strange to see. They're just existing. They're just out there… Nobody is playing with any fire. It's almost like they feel defeated. Like there's nothing we can do." 🏈🎙️ #CFP pic.twitter.com/rQrgO1IUDX
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 1, 2026“It feels like Alabama, it’s just strange to see,” Herbstreit said. “They’re just existing. They’re just out there. Nobody is penetrating. Nobody is playing with any fire. It’s almost like they feel defeated. Like there’s nothing we can do. … Hands on their hips, they’re just kind of out there.”
Elijah Sarratt of the Indiana Hoosiers makes a catch for a touchdown past Dijon Lee Jr. of the Alabama Crimson Tide in the third quarter in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2026 in Pasadena, California. Getty ImagesShortly after, Indiana went up 24-0 after Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza completed a 24-yard touchdown to Elijah Sarratt.
On the ensuing Crimson Tide possession, there was a significant change as Ty Simpson was removed from the game for backup quarterback Austin Mack in what was reported by ESPN as a “coach’s decision.”
Simpson had taken a big hit earlier in the game and had appeared to have trouble throwing the ball.
The numbers for Simpson were pedestrian; he completed 12-of-16 passes for just 67 yards.
Ryan Williams of the Alabama Crimson Tide is tackled by Devan Boykin of the Indiana Hoosiers during the third quarter in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 1, 2026 in Pasadena, California. Getty ImagesMack led Alabama on its first scoring drive of the game late in the third quarter, as kicker Conor Talty got the team three points with a 28-yard field goal.
The winner of this game will face Oregon in the Peach Bowl on Jan. 9.
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