Jan 1, 2026; Pasadena, CA, USA; Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Devan Boykin (12) sacks Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Austin Mack (10) in the second half of the 2026 Rose Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Alabama football lost to Indiana 38-3 in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.
This was the first time Alabama lost by 35 points or more since 1998. Arkansas beat the Tide by 36 points in 1998 by a score of 42-6. Mike Dubose was Alabama’s head coach at the time.
Alabama finished the 1998 season 7-5 with a loss to Virginia Tech in the Music City Bowl.
The Tide’s 2025-2026 football season ended with its loss to Indiana. Kalen DeBoer and Alabama now have to go back to the drawing board in the hope of taking another step forward in year three under DeBoer.
Justin Smith is the Managing Editor and Lead Writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine with over 10 years of writing experience & expertise. Smith has consistently delivered high quality, extensively researched information on the University of Alabama’s Crimson Tide football team that fans can trust. Smith is official credentialed media with the University of Alabama under Touchdown Alabama Magazine. He is also the Director of Recruiting for Touchdown Enterprises, specializing in scouting and analyzing high school recruits around the nation, specifically focusing on recruits within the state of Alabama.