Alabama football faced rare and blunt scrutiny on college football’s biggest stage as the Crimson Tide’s College Football Playoff quarterfinal against Indiana unraveled quickly at the Rose Bowl.
Kirk Herbstreit’s criticism became the defining storyline of the night as Alabama struggled to match Indiana’s energy and physicality in their 38-3 blowout loss on Thursday night in Pasadena. The defeat marked the most lopsided bowl loss in program history and immediately raised questions about effort, preparation, and identity under second-year head coach Kalen DeBoer.
As the Hoosiers continued to extend their lead in the second half, Herbstreit delivered pointed commentary during ESPN’s Rose Bowl broadcast. Popular sports outlet Awful Announcing shared video clips on X (formerly Twitter) capturing the analyst’s real-time reaction as Indiana pulled away.
“It feels like Alabama, it’s just strange to see,” Herbstreit said. “They’re just existing. They’re just out there. Nobody is playing with any fire. It’s almost like they feel defeated. Like there’s nothing we can do.”
Herbstreit’s criticism centered on the Crimson Tide’s body language and sense of urgency. Alabama players appeared disengaged while Indiana controlled both lines of scrimmage. The Hoosiers dominated possession, forced turnovers, and limited Alabama to a single field goal before scoring late to seal the decisive Rose Bowl victory.
Alabama entered the second round with momentum after surviving the first, but the matchup against Indiana exposed gaps that talent alone could not cover. Indiana’s balanced offense and relentless defense dictated the game from the opening drive, leaving Alabama unable to mount a response.
Now, the College Football Playoff quarterfinal defeat sends the Crimson Tide into the offseason facing unfamiliar questions. Herbstreit’s comments resonated widely because they echoed what viewers saw throughout the night.
For a program traditionally built on intensity and high standards, the lack of visible fire marked a stark departure and an uncomfortable turning point heading into 2026.
https://clutchpoints.com/ncaa-football/alabama-football-news-herbstreit-criticizes-effort-vs-indiana