There are likely only a few Alabama Crimson Tide fans who follow Fly War Eagle or any other Auburn site. Those who don't are missing good work, especially that of Andrew Hughes. A guess is that more than 90% of Auburn fans would love to see the Indiana Hoosiers thoroughly dismantle the Crimson Tide. Hughes has an opinion that the Aubies could be disappointed.
Hughes commented on Alabama's underdog status for the Rose Bowl, CFB Playoff Quarterfinal, giving the Crimson Tide "more than a puncher's chance" to upset the Hoosiers. Hughes added, "Alabama matches up well with Indiana personnel-wise ... Alabama has better-rated athletes, while Indiana has done a better job developing unsung prospects. If big-game nerves undoes preparation, the Crimson Tide have the raw talent advantage."
Alabama Crimson Tide and Ty Simpson
With a perfect record it is obvious that the Hoosiers don't gift games to opponents by making serious mistakes. Alabama's talent advantage can only produce a win if the Crimson Tide matches the Hoosiers with predominantly mistake-free football. Ty Simpson will have to be sharp and Alabama receivers will have to catch his passes. But lesser quarterbacks than Ty Simpson have given the Hoosiers' secondary problems this season.
Penn State's quarterback, Ethan Grunkemeyer, topped his season completion average against the Hoosiers, connecting on 71% of his passes. He threw for 219 yards in the Nittany Lions 27-24 loss to the Hoosiers.
Michigan State Spartans quarterback Aiden Chiles is ranked No. 69 among FBS QBs in completion percentage. His season average is 63.1%. Against the Hoosiers, Chiles was 27-for-33, for 81.8% and 243 yards.
In non-opponent-adjusted stats, Indiana and LSU are nearly equal in Pass Defense Rating. Ty Simpson passed for 288 yards against the Bengal Tigers.
Andrew Hughes giving Alabama more than a puncher's chance is no idle claim. If the Crimson Tide has some success on the ground, Ty Simpson's passing, backed by Kane Wommack's solid defense, can produce a Rose Bowl upset.
On Jan. 1, both teams will believe they are supposed to win. But the Hoosiers have never won a Rose Bowl, and Indiana has never won a CFB Playoff game. The game is huge for both programs, but Indiana will have more weight on its shoulders. As long as the Crimson Tide never gives Indiana more than a one-score lead, the Crimson Tide can win late.
Note: Multiple team and player stats provided by Sports Reference