How heavy rain could shape the outcome of the Indiana–Alabama Rose Bowl

Christian Standal

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How heavy rain could shape the outcome of the Indiana–Alabama Rose Bowl image

What was already one of the most anticipated College Football Playoff games of the season has been thrown into uncertainty as torrential rain soaked Pasadena hours before kickoff. The No. 1–ranked Indiana Hoosiers are set to face Alabama in the Rose Bowl, but severe weather has turned the iconic venue into a major storyline of its own.

Heavy downpours flooded the Rose Bowl Stadium early Thursday, leaving standing water across the field just hours before the 1 p.m. Local kickoff. Stadium workers were seen sweeping water off the turf and rushing to place protective covers over the field in a desperate attempt to preserve playable conditions. According to the National Weather Service, a flood watch remains in effect in Pasadena, though rainfall is expected to taper off as game time approaches.

Even if the rain slows, the damage may already be done. A soaked field means slippery footing, a slick football, and conditions that could dramatically alter how both teams play. Ball security is expected to be the biggest concern, with dropped passes, fumbled snaps, and loose balls far more likely in wet conditions. Passing games could suffer, while running backs and offensive linemen will be asked to grind out tough yards on a soggy surface.

 

Both head coaches addressed the weather concerns earlier in the week. Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer acknowledged that his team hasn’t faced many games in poor conditions this season but stressed preparation and adaptability.

“You try to prepare and practice with a wet ball, snapping it, catching it, throwing it,” DeBoer said. “But in the end, you’ve just got to adapt. Ball security and turnovers are obviously critical when rain is a factor.”

Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti struck a calmer tone, suggesting the weather may not drastically change his team’s approach.

“Just adapt, improvise,” Cignetti said. “If it’s a deluge, that’s one thing. I don’t expect it to be a real critical factor, and I don’t see it changing our game plan very much.”

Still, the conditions could favor discipline over flash. Defenses may benefit from tipped passes and rushed decisions, while special teams could become unpredictable with slick kicks and risky returns.

 

The stakes could not be higher. Indiana enters the game unbeaten and ranked No. 1 in the AP Poll for the first time in program history. The Hoosiers are also Big Ten champions after knocking off Ohio State in the conference title game. Led by Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza, Indiana has surged into national prominence and now sits as the CFP’s top seed.

Alabama, meanwhile, enters as the underdog in an unfamiliar role for a program that has held the AP No. 1 ranking 141 times. Still, the Crimson Tide’s postseason experience and physical style could prove valuable in messy conditions.

For Indiana, the moment is historic. This marks the Hoosiers’ first Rose Bowl appearance since 1968 and Mendoza’s CFP debut. Despite the chaos, the quarterback remains focused on the bigger picture.

“We want to win the national championship,” Mendoza said. “Playing in the Rose Bowl against a historic team like Alabama is something to appreciate, but if we don’t win, this season isn’t what we want it to be.”

Rain or shine, the Rose Bowl will demand toughness, patience, and poise. In a game already rich with history, the weather may ultimately decide who advances and who slips away in Pasadena.

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