Former Alabama defensive backs Pat Surtain II and Terrion Arnold know a thing or two about winning big games against top-tier opponents in the postseason. Both defenders played key roles helping the Tide knock off ranked opponents during their college days in Tuscaloosa before transitioning their game-changing skills to help turn their franchises into winners in the NFL on Sundays.
The two standouts did the same thing again on Wednesday when offering their keys to victory for the Tide ahead of Alabama football's showdown against No.1 1-ranked Indiana in the Rose Bowl.
"I think it depends on 2 things," Arnold said. "No. 1, if we can establish the run, and then No.2, if we can pressure the quarterback and force a takeaway. If we can force 1 takeaway, we'll be good. If we can force 2 takeaways, we'll win."
To Arnold's point, Alabama has been among the best defenses in the country at creating turnovers this season, forcing 20 in 14 games. This production leaves the Crimson Tide defense ranked fourth among remaining playoff defenses, only behind Indiana, Texas Tech, and Miami.
Pat Surtain II and Terrion Arnold agree that turnovers are pivotal for Alabama against Indiana
Surtain II doubled down on Arnold's point, giving the edge to the Tide over the Hoosiers due to the large gap in experience Alabama has over Indiana in high-leverage games.
"I like them boys winning," Surtain II said. "Turnovers is key, I think in games like this, I feel like the score gonna be close, probably but 'Bama's gonna find its way through. Indiana's got a good football team, but I told people before man, experience plays a high factor in games like this. This is Indiana's first rodeo in I don't know how long and 'Bama been here before, so a lot could play into that."
To Surtain's point, experience may very well swing the scales and play a factor with this only being Indiana's second-ever run in the College Football Playoff and second-ever Rose Bowl trip in program history. Meanwhile, Alabama prepares for its 10th playoff game and ninth Rose Bowl matchup in program history. Arnold carried on by highlighting Alabama's offense and two key players who could make all the difference if they play to their ability against the Hoosiers defense.
"My main thing too, I wanna see Ty (Simpson) go out there and just cut it loose bro," Arnold said. "And just addressing all the stuff with Ryan (Williams), people don't understand that it's a mental thing.. you already know how it is Pat, coming in, playing early, me and you obviously didn't do what he did. Coming in, being a phenom, then struggling with the ups and downs of pass catching. Everything is just mental, I just really want to see him have a breakout game."
Tide fans have experienced both rock bottom and cloud nine with Simpson and Williams this season. The duo only connected on four total touchdowns in 14 games this year, but Williams averaged 35.8 yards per touchdown on those scores. If Tide can get explosive plans from those two, along with a couple turnovers on defense, then Surtain and Arnold's lofty predictions may not be too far off.