Former Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron is confident that the Crimson Tide has what it takes to knock off Indiana at the Rose Bowl in the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff.
McCarron believes the Tide will have the edge over the No.1-seeded Hoosiers in Pasadena due to their athleticism and advantage at skill positions on both sides of the football. This theory may be factually correct when looking at both programs current roster makeup, with Alabama having 64 combined former five & four-star players on this year's team opposed to Indiana's seven players in total.
The Crimson Tide offense also averages 5.7 yards per pass attempt, compared to the Hoosiers 5.1 yards per attempt. This district gap in talent and production is why McCarron favors the Tide over the Hoosiers despite them being touchdown underdogs. "I think this is a great matchup for Alabama," McCarron said on The Dynasty Podcast.
AJ McCarron thinks Alabama matches up well with Indiana
"I've said it since the rankings came out, I think Alabama had the best draw out of this deal. I think facing Oklahoma, you get by that challenge and then facing Indiana, I understand Indiana's a great team, a great program. (Curt) Cignettes does a great job, but I think athlete for athlete, Alabama matches up well with them. I think this fits the style they wanna play. I really like this draw, I think 'Bama has a chance to shock the College football world and knock off the No.1 seed."
If Alabama's talent comes to play, particularly on the offensive side of the ball with explosive pass catchers like Ryan Williams, Germie Bernard, Isaiah Horton, Lotzeir Brooks, and company at the Tide's disposal then McCarron's take may not be too far fetched.
There would be a whole lot of crow to be eaten by the national media if the Crimson Tide can spring the upset in Pasadena.