The strength of Alabama’s team to this point in the season has been the defense.
Led by defensive coordinator Kane Wommack, who held the same title at IU, the Crimson Tide rank No. 10 nationally against the pass (168.4 yards per game), No. 28 against the run (120.6 yards per game), and No. 13 in total defense at 288.9 yards per game. Alabama also has the No. 13 overall scoring defense, allowing just 17.9 points per game.
Alabama has 20 takeaways on the season, which is tied for the 32nd most nationally. That total consists of 11 interceptions and nine fumble recoveries. Takeaways have been a major factor in the outcome of games for Alabama. They only have one total in their three losses.
Here’s more on the Crimson Tide defense and how they match up against IU.
No. 1 Indiana (13-0) faces No. 9 Alabama (11-3) on Jan. 1 in the CFP Quarterfinals at the Rose Bowl (4 p.m. ET, ESPN).
Indiana offensive line vs. Alabama pass rush
The Crimson Tide have been shockingly pedestrian at generating pressure this season. They own a 60.6 pass rush grade at PFF as a team, the worst mark in the SEC and sixth-worst in FBS. UCLA is the only team Indiana’s faced this season that has a lower pass rush grade.
Alabama is tied for 40th in the country at 30 sacks, and it still ranks 10th in pass defense at just 168.4 passing yards per game allowed. Redshirt sophomore linebacker Yhonzae Pierre leads the team with 6.5 sacks, and senior defensive end LT Overton is second with four sacks. Overton missed the SEC Championship Game and the CFP First Round with an illness, but is set to return in Pasadena.
But individually, Alabama doesn’t grade out very strong in pass rush. Only three Tide players have a pass rush grade over 70, and none of them exceeded six snaps in pass rush this season.
Indiana has done a good job protecting Fernando Mendoza this season, ranking No. 22 in pass block grade and tying for 24th with 18 sacks allowed. Alabama has seen several offensive lines grading stronger in pass protection than the Hoosiers — Louisiana-Monroe (No. 4), Georgia (tied for No. 7), Missouri (No. 9), Oklahoma (No. 12), Florida State (No. 15). So the Tide won’t be intimidated by IU’s pass blocking. But Indiana should have the advantage in this area.
All-American tackle Carter Smith has been one of the best pass-blockers in the nation this year; his 92.5 grade is second in the country, and he’s allowed only six pressures all season without a sack. Left guard Drew Evans (83.1 pass block grade, six pressures allowed, no sacks) and center Pat Coogan (82.5 grade, eight pressures allowed, no sacks) have both also performed well in pass pro this season. The right side of the line is where issues can arise, as right guard Bray Lynch (63.2 grade, 14 pressures, two sacks) and right tackle Kahlil Benson (55.7 grade, 20 pressures, three sacks) have had more trouble.
Fernando Mendoza vs. Kane Wommack and the Alabama secondary
Wommack employs tactics similar to Indiana defensive coordinator Bryant Haines, with an array of simulated pressures and disguised looks before the snap in an effort confuse quarterbacks. He’ll go against IU quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who needs no introduction to Hoosier fans. It should be an interesting chess game.
Wommack can operate with the comfort of knowing his defensive backfield might just be the strength of the team.
All-American safety Bray Hubbard has 71 tackles, including three tackles for loss, to go with a team-high four interceptions, six pass breakups, three forced fumbles, one sack and a quarterback hurry.
Meanwhile, cornerback Zabien Brown returned two interceptions for touchdowns this season, including a 99-yarder against Tennessee and a 50-yarder against Oklahoma in the opening round of the CFP. He also had game-clinching interceptions against Georgia and Auburn in 2024.
Safety Keon Sabb and cornerback Dijon Lee both have PFF coverage grades in the 80s, second and third on the team respectively after Hubbard.
Collectively, Alabama’s pass coverage ranks tied for No. 6 nationally at PFF, and the best in the SEC.
Mendoza has faced three defenses ranked higher than Alabama in passing defense thus far — Ohio State, Oregon and Iowa. In those game he was 48 of 77 passing (62.3%) for 670 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions.
Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black vs. Alabama run defense
Indiana will want to establish the run, but Alabama’s run defense has improved over the course of the season.
After allowing 230 rushing yards at Florida State in the season opener, and 227 at Georgia in game four, they didn’t allow more than 163 in any game the rest of the season and held three of their last five opponents to 74 yards or less on the ground.
The Tide have elite run stoppers at multiple levels of the defense.
Hubbard has a 90.3 grade at PFF against the run, while Brown and linebacker Deontae Lawson are both north of 85. 6-foot-3 and 303-pound London Simmons (78.4), 6-foot-3 and 284-pound Edric Hill (74.4) and 6-foot-2 and 320-pound Tim Keenan (73.5) have all been stout against the run along interior of the defensive line. Pierre leads the team with 13.5 tackles for loss.
Indiana has the No. 10 rushing offense in the nation, averaging 221.2 yards per game. Roman Hemby (918 yards, 5.2 yards per carry) and Kaelon Black (799 yards, 5.6 yards per carry) have provided a solid one-two punch for the Hoosiers.
Six times Indiana rushed for over 300 yards in a game. And only one time all year was IU held under 100 yards rushing, when the Hoosiers had 83 against Wisconsin. That was a game when Indiana went for 305 through the air. And that’s been a common theme: Indiana is balanced and will take what the defense gives them.
Seth Tow and Mike Schumann contributed to this story.
For an analysis of what to watch when Alabama has the ball, GO HERE:
What to watch for at the Rose Bowl when Alabama has the ball vs. Indiana’s defense
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