When the top-ranked Indiana Hoosiers and No. 9 Alabama Crimson Tide take the field this afternoon at the Rose Bowl, they may be playing through conditions the iconic venue hasn’t seen in two decades.
A strong winter storm system sweeping through Southern California is poised to deliver significant rainfall throughout today’s College Football Playoff quarterfinal, with the National Weather Service issuing a flood watch for the region. The forecast calls for temperatures in the low 60s at kickoff, but the real story is the precipitation. Forecasters indicate near-certainty of rain during the contest.
Could the Rose Bowl Kickoff Be Delayed?
The famous Rose Bowl backdrop of the San Gabriel Mountains bathed in golden sunset light appears unlikely to materialize this New Year’s Day. Instead, both teams are preparing for a potential mud fight that could fundamentally alter how the game unfolds. However, unless that comes with lightning, it’s unlikely that the kickoff of Alabama vs. Indiana would be delayed.
As per the National Weather Service, “a strong winter storm will bring moderate to heavy rainfall.” AccuWeather has advised people to “wear rain gear for the parade and football game.”
The rain at the Rose Bowl 😱 ☔
(via @CollegeGameDay) pic.twitter.com/R5cmw5jeeQ
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 1, 2026
Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti struck a pragmatic tone when addressing the conditions, emphasizing his team’s ability to adjust without overhauling their approach. The Hoosiers have some experience playing in the elements, including a dominant victory over Michigan State during a heavy October downpour.
“I don’t see it changing our game plan very much,” he said.
MORE: Here’s How Curt Cignetti’s Transfer Portal Masterclass Changed Indiana Football Forever
Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer acknowledged his squad hasn’t faced wet conditions much this season and emphasized ball security as paramount when rain enters the equation. The Crimson Tide have been simulating adverse conditions in practice with wet footballs, but game-day execution remains an unknown.
“You try to prepare and practice with a wet ball and things like that, whether it’s snapping the football, catching the football, throwing it, whatever it is. But in the end, we’ve just got to adapt,” DeBoer said. “Obviously, ball security and turnovers are something that I think everyone would acknowledge would be critical when the factors could be rain like it looks to be.”
Should the game devolve into a ground-and-pound affair, the numbers tilt decisively toward Indiana. The Hoosiers boast PFSN’s best CFB Defense Impact score with the sport’s only A+ season grade.
The Hoosiers allow just 10.8 points per game (second nationally) and a mere 0.90 points per drive. They’ve been equally stifling against the run, surrendering only 77.6 yards per game on the ground while allowing just five rushing touchdowns all year. The secondary has been opportunistic, picking off 17 passes while giving up only seven passing scores.
Add in a 10.2% sack rate, 25 total turnovers forced, and excellent third-down defense, and it’s clear why Indiana enters the Rose Bowl at 13-0 with one of the most complete defensive units in the country.
What Time Is the Rose Bowl?
Kickoff is currently scheduled for 4 p.m. ET on ESPN, with Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit calling the action. The game is also available via the ESPN app and streaming services carrying the network.
We will continue to monitor the weather situation and update the article if there are any changes to the scheduled start time.
