Many continue to doubt Indiana for no reason other than the name on the jersey, happily backing Alabama in the CFP quarterfinals while the spread stubbornly remains above a touchdown.
Still, the Hoosiers offer more than a few reasons to believe they can make things interesting against the Crimson Tide.
Let's get into our Alabama vs. Indiana predictions before the Rose Bowl kicks offs at 4pm ET.
Alabama vs Indiana Rose Bowl predictions
- Alabama +7.5 (-120 at FanDuel)
- Over 47.5 (-110 at FanDuel)
- Sarratt o58.5 receiving yards + TD (+166 at FanDuel)
- Cuevas anytime TD (+340 at FanDuel)
Alabama vs Indiana best bets
Alabama +7.5 (-120 at FanDuel)
The hook on this spread is vital. As soon as it falls to +7, you are betting on a backdoor cover to likely create a push. Perhaps that math is sound, akin to doubling down on a 10 against a face card, but a bet geared for a push is one with less value.
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Over 47.5 (-110 at FanDuel)
An ambitious bettor may take the first half Under 24.5 (-142 at FanDuel) along with this full game Over, a combination that pays better than +400 at FanDuel. That thought continues with the intention of betting on eventual Alabama desperation. A sluggish first half would yield a shift in offensive game plan.
Alabama vs Indiana TD pick
Josh Cuevas anytime TD (+340 at FanDuel)
One of the guys I like Ty Simpson to find for with a scoring strike is tight end Josh Cuevas. With the disappearing act that Ryan Williams has pulled this season, Simpson has had to look elsewhere, and what better place than tight end?
Simpson targeted Cuevas 14 times for 154 yards and two touchdowns in a three-game span in late October into early November. Then, an injury kept him out for three games at the end of the season before he returned for the first-round matchup against Oklahoma, and his presence was immediately welcomed, as he caught three balls for 35 yards.
He’s scored four touchdowns total this season, with two of them coming in his last four games. When things get tight in the red zone against the Hooisers, don’t be shocked if Simpson looks his way, which makes this price way too good to pass up.
Alabama vs Indiana prop pick
Elijah Sarratt Over 58.5 receiving yards and TD (+166 at FanDuel)
You might look at Elijah Sarratt’s stats and not be that impressed. Just 687 yards this season. But Elijah Sarratt is him. He shows up for the Indiana Hoosiers in the biggest games.
He had a three-game stretch vs. Illinois, at Iowa, and at Oregon, where he caught 24 balls for 369 yards and four scores.
Then, a combination of injuries and not really needing him, thanks to so many blowouts, limited his stats. But he made his presence felt in the Big Ten title game against Ohio State, catching three balls for 37 yards and a score.
In fact, he has scored in each of the last seven full games he's played. Let’s go with a fun SGP in the Rose Bowl Over 58.5 receiving yards and a touchdown for a +166 payout.
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Alabama vs Indiana odds
Alabama vs Indiana game info
| Location: | Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA |
| Date: | Thursday, January 1, 2026 |
| Kickoff: | 4:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | ESPN |
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