The Alabama Crimson Tide didn't deserve to be on the same field as the Indiana Hoosiers in the College Football Playoff's quarterfinal round. Alabama's 38-3 Rose Bowl loss sends the Tide into the offseason with its tail tucked between its legs.
It's not a stretch to say that Indiana made Alabama look like an FCS team. It was a score you'd expect from the second to last weekend in November. The SEC team usually doesn't have the single-digit total, though.
The Hoosiers head to the CFP semis to take on the Oregon Ducks in the Peach Bowl, while questions arise in Tuscaloosa about how to right this ship after proving they never had a chance to win it all in 2025/2026.
For Auburn Tiger fans, and everyone else who opposes all things "Mullet A," here were five glorious observations from the Crimson Tide's embarrassing loss.
Long gone are the days of Derrick Henry and Mark Ingram
Alabama cannot run the ball. At all. Indiana held the Tide's running backs to 15 yards on eight carries. Kevin Riley had more carries (three) than all-purpose yards (two). Daniel Hill had 12 combined carries and catches, but had 18 yards on them.
Alabama once had a stake to the RBU label. In no way, shape, or form is the Crimson Tide a top developer of running backs anymore. Justice Haynes, the best RB to come through the Yellowhammer State in the last several years, will be remembered as a Michigan Wolverine for what he did this season in Ann Arbor. Not what he did for DeBoer in 2024, or even Tommy Rees and the 2023 team, which was at least respectable.
When you're not tough in the trenches, you're not going to establish the run. Speaking of which...
Alabama can't bully opposing trenches anymore
Pedigree isn't the problem. Alabama still brings in fearsome super-athletes on the offensive and defensive lines. By any stretch, they should've handled Hoosiers athletes who didn't get the same looks out of high school and were never thought to have dynastic potential.
The Tide doesn't have a tough culture any longer. Kalen DeBoer wants to out-scheme opponents, not bully them. He met his match with Indiana's athletic defensive line.
It goes beyond him, though. Kane Wommack isn't producing the same results DL coach Freddie Roach used to under Nick Saban and the rotating cast of defensive coordinators he had. His culture isn't working either.
Alabama doesn't have leaders who promote the only way the Tide has ever known how to win.
Elite QBs can exploit Alabama's sub-'Bama Standard' defense
Alabama used to contain star quarterbacks when the Tide was a true contender. Their last national championship was won by keeping Justin Fields and an explosive Ohio State Buckeyes offense subdued during the 2020/2021 CFP.
The Oklahoma Sooners' John Mateer, who was still recovering from a hand injury, the Georgia Bulldogs' Gunner Stockton, and the Florida State Seminoles Thomas Castellanos all notched victories on Alabama before Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza diced them up in Pasadena.
If you have a good to great QB, you can run the score up on the Crimson Tide's defense. Maybe USF Bulls transfer Byrum Brown can be that for Auburn in the 2026 Iron Bowl.
Kalen DeBoer will never be embraced in Tuscaloosa
This loss clinched DeBoer being the guy who couldn't successfully replace the guy. Aptly, Saban was in attendance as he watched his legacy be sealed by the worst CFP performance in the program's history. Saban's 44-16 loss to the Clemson Tigers in 2019 has been topped, comfortably, by a touchdown.
Alabama doesn't have a Cult of Personality-type leader any longer. They do have a lame duck who may no longer be able to afford a blowout loss during the 2026 season.
Sounds like "Husky Harsin" was the perfect nickname.
The 'Bama Standard' is permanently lowered
If DeBoer isn't immediately fired, the "Bama Standard" is in the same category as Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster.
There is no "standard" worth putting your name on that accepts losses like this.