No. 9 Alabama will be seeking to have lightning strike twice as they look for another massive upset, this time against the No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The Hoosiers are still undefeated, while the Crimson Tide are the only three-loss team in the tournament, which makes the storylines in this game all the more interesting.
As usual, several players are expected to miss this College Football Playoff quarterfinal bout due to either injury or opting out for reasons such as declaring for the NFL draft or entering the transfer portal.
However, since both teams are in the CFP and are aiming for a national title, not many players are expected to opt out of this game, especially with a trip to the semifinals being on the line. So, who will not be at the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day?
Rose Bowl: Alabama vs. Indiana Opt-Outs And Injury Report
Alabama Crimson Tide
- DL Jeremiah Beaman: Injured, confirmed out
After their upset of Oklahoma, the Crimson Tide has held together with no player being expected to opt out, with the only player of note missing being defensive lineman Jeremiah Beaman. That win has energized the squad, and this means that they are coming into the Rose Bowl with plenty of momentum.
However, the Indiana Hoosiers are still undefeated, and their quarterback, Fernando Mendoza, just won the Heisman, but expect Alabama to play like their backs are against the wall and give Indiana a run for their money.
Indiana Hoosiers
- RB Lee Beebe Jr.: Injured, out for the season
- WR Makai Jackson: Opted out, entering transfer portal
- DL Stephen Daley: Injured, out for the season
- DL Kellan Wyatt: Injured, out for the season
- K Brendan Franke: Injured, questionable
Indiana might have a few holes in its defense, as defensive linemen Stephen Daley and Kellan Wyatt, who have each played in hundreds of snaps during the season, have suffered season-ending injuries. Meanwhile, the only opt-out for the game, WR Makai Jackson, has only played in 51 snaps with 15 receiving yards, meaning the Hoosiers won’t be missing him as much as Daley or Wyatt.
Related:
Bryce Underwood Transfer Portal Update: Top 3 Destinations for Michigan’s Five-Star Freshman
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