"Too many ostensible experts bought into the idea that Alabama could win this game based on nothing beyond the fact that they've seen that helmet win games like this before. But as anyone paying attention to the Tide all year could tell you, this is a team that cannot handle being hit square in the nose. They win based on reputation, performing well against finesse squads or teams that like to play with their food."
"By the third quarter of Indiana's all-out, 38-3 assault-which at that point was about 24-0-my main concern was no longer whether Indiana would win but what kind of chaos they could start in Tuscaloosa if they goose-egged them. Frankly, the only disappointing part of yesterday's game was that they came just short of accomplishing that, thanks to the most cowardly field-goal decision I've ever seen."
"Fernando Mendoza, dorky as he is, showed why he earned his Heisman, going 14-for-16 with 192 yards and three TDs. Kaelon Black tacked on an additional 99 yards on the ground off of 15 carries. A perfect encapsulation of the game came in the second quarter: down 3-0, Alabama decided to go for it on 4th down from within their own 30 yard line. Why would they do that?"
Indiana produced a 38-3 blowout of Alabama, asserting physical dominance and repeatedly scoring after early defensive stands. Alabama showed a reliance on reputation and success against finesse teams but failed to handle sustained, bully-style pressure. Pundits' faith in Alabama proved misplaced as Indiana dictated tempo, forced errors, and limited Alabama's offense. Fernando Mendoza completed 14-of-16 passes for 192 yards and three touchdowns, while Kaelon Black added 99 rushing yards on 15 carries. A late conservative field-goal decision prevented a deeper rout and curtailed the potential chaos Indiana could have inflicted in Tuscaloosa.
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