The 2026 Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential brings together two of the season’s most compelling stories: 11–3 Alabama and 13–0 Indiana. As part of the expanded College Football Playoff, the Rose Bowl now hosts a quarterfinal matchup — but the pageantry, tradition, and New Year’s Day spotlight remain unchanged.
Sporting News confirms that Indiana enters as the No. 1 seed, the first top‑seeded Big Ten team to appear in Pasadena under the new CFP structureSporting News. Alabama arrives battle‑tested after a dramatic comeback win over Oklahoma in the first round, a performance highlighted in multiple previews from The Game Haus and NewsBreakThe Game Haus+1.
Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. ET on January 1, 2026, live from the iconic Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, CaliforniaNewsBreak.
Alabama: Surging Late, Dangerous as Ever
Alabama’s 2025 campaign was uneven early, but the Crimson Tide surged down the stretch, winning 10 games and reaching the SEC Championship. Their résumé includes victories over bowl‑eligible teams such as Georgia, Missouri, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, and LSUThe Game Haus+1.
Quarterback Ty Simpson has been the breakout star of the postseason, delivering a poised, high‑efficiency performance in the comeback win over Oklahoma. Alabama averages 31.4 points per game, leaning on a top‑25 passing attack and a defense that stiffens in the red zone.
Analysts across The Game Haus and NewsBreak note that Alabama’s experience in big moments makes them a dangerous lower seed in the new CFP eraThe Game Haus+1.
Indiana: The Unbeaten No. 1 Seed With Everything to Prove
Indiana is the story of the 2025 season — undefeated, disciplined, and balanced on both sides of the ball. Sporting News reports that the Hoosiers earned the top seed behind a dominant Big Ten title run and one of the nation’s most efficient defensesSporting News.
Their offense, led by a veteran quarterback and a deep running back rotation, has been remarkably consistent. Indiana’s ability to control tempo and win the turnover battle has been central to their rise from dark horse to national contender.
This is the Hoosiers’ first appearance in a CFP quarterfinal, adding even more weight to the moment.
Broadcast Information
Network: ESPN
Kickoff: 4 p.m. ET
Location: Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, California
Additional Coverage: The Game Haus, NewsBreak, and Sporting News will provide extended digital analysis before and after the game.
What’s on the Line
The winner advances to the CFP semifinals and moves one step closer to the 2026 National Championship. For Alabama, it’s a chance to reclaim playoff dominance. For Indiana, it’s the opportunity to complete one of the most remarkable seasons in modern college football history.
