Motivation was never likely to be an issue heading into the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl for Alabama, but if, for whatever reason, the Crimson Tide was short on motivation, they've gotten plenty of added fuel for their fire from the national media over the last couple of weeks.
It started with many screaming from the rooftops that Alabama didn't deserve to be in the playoff to begin with. It continued with outright fallacies about Kalen DeBoer's happiness in Tuscaloosa and the comfort level of fans with their head coach. It has continued since Alabama's thrilling comeback win over Oklahoma last Friday night, with pundits all around the country giving the Tide little to no chance of taking down top-ranked Indiana in Pasadena.
It's Alabama vs. the world. Same as it always was.
That's the mentality Ty Simpson and the rest of the Crimson Tide are taking with them to Pasadena next week.
"Forget the world. It's all about Alabama," Simpson said.
My guess is the "F" word in that mantra is a bit different behind closed doors than it is when Simpson or his teammates are talking about it publicly.
Ty Simpson says 'It's all about Alabama' heading into the Rose Bowl
Simpson has used the "it's about us" mentality all year during pregame pep talks to his teammates. He's consistently tried to get the point across that what the other team does doesn't matter. If Alabama plays to its standard, it should win against anyone it lines up against. The Crimson Tide is as talented as any team in the country, and when they play to their capabilities, they can beat anyone.
That includes No. 1 Indiana, contrary to what so many in the national media currently believe.
It's up to Simpson and everyone else to prove them all wrong on Thursday afternoon at the Rose Bowl.
It will take Alabama's strongest effort of the season to get the job done. Curt Cignetti's Hoosiers are No. 1 for a reason and just took down Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game. They don't make many mistakes, so the Crimson Tide will have to match that with disciplined play on both sides of the ball.
They'll also have to hit the plays that are there to be made when they are there, much like they did against Oklahoma in the opening round.
Alabama has responded well to adversity most of the season. It will undoubtedly face adversity in Pasadena next week, too.
Slaying the giant on New Year's Day might finally earn this team respect from the national media, though the goalpost will undoubtedly be moved heading into the CFP semifinals if Alabama gets there.