BREAKING: Rain moves in on the Rose Bowl as Alabama, Indiana brace for a slippery CFP quarterfinal
I can report the Rose Bowl will stage a wet College Football Playoff quarterfinal, with Alabama and Indiana set to kick in steady showers. The game will go on. Plans are locked. The story here is how the rain will touch every part of this day, from the broadcast to ball security, from tailgates to third downs. If you are watching at home or heading to Pasadena, here is what to expect and how to get ready.
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The matchup, now with rain in play
Alabama arrives with size, speed, and a steady ground game. The Tide win with patient runs, play action, and a front seven that compresses space. In the rain, that style travels. Expect more two tight end looks and a firm commitment to inside zone and counters. The goal will be simple. Keep the ball dry, win the tackles, and squeeze the clock.
Indiana brings urgency and tempo. The Hoosiers have leaned on timing routes and a quarterback-friendly rhythm. They have also shown a willingness to attack the edges with quick throws and stretch runs. Rain challenges that rhythm. Drops rise when gloves are slick. Footing slides at the top of routes. Look for Indiana to shorten splits, speed up the snap, and lean on screens, draws, and perimeter option runs. That can still hurt a defense, even in weather.
Special teams will swing possessions. Wet snaps and holds change field goals into risks. Punt return decisions get conservative. Field position becomes gold. The team that wins the hidden yards, and avoids the one critical mistake, takes control.
How to watch, and when to tune in
Kickoff is set for late afternoon in Pasadena, which places most of the country in early evening viewing. The quarterfinal will be carried on the College Football Playoff’s national television partner, with a live stream on the network’s official app and supported providers. Expect full pregame coverage, including weather hits from the field and warmup notes, starting well before kickoff.
Here is the fast setup I recommend before the rain and traffic hit:
- Confirm the game channel in your TV guide or app.
- Sign in to the network app now, test the stream, and set your DVR.
- Enable game alerts on your phone for lineup and weather updates.
- If you are hosting, hardwire your streaming device to avoid Wi‑Fi hiccups.
Log in to the network app before kickoff. Stadium rain strains cell networks, and streaming logins can stall when the game starts.
Pasadena forecast, fan prep, and stadium experience
I am tracking radar this morning, and the line of showers is real. Expect on and off rain, a few heavy bursts, cool temps, and light winds. The Rose Bowl’s turf drains well. Grounds crews will work the covers, and the field surface should hold up. That said, the top layer will be slick at times, especially near the painted logos and along the sidelines.
If you are headed to the Arroyo Seco, plan for a wet tailgate and a damp walk. Parking lots can get soft. Foot traffic gets slow. Build more time into your arrival window. Many stadiums tighten bag rules on rainy days, so keep your gear compact. Ponchos beat umbrellas in tight seating, and they keep hands free for the high five that matters.
- Waterproof outer layer, not cotton
- Clear bag with dry socks and a small towel
- Phone in a sealable pouch
- Small seat cushion for wet benches
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Umbrellas are often limited or banned inside. Check the Rose Bowl’s official policy before you leave, and pack a poncho instead.
How the rain may change the plan
Expect Alabama to lean on power runs, quick play action, and a measured passing plan. Shot plays will exist, but only if the footing allows clean protection. Look for the Tide to hammer the A and B gaps, then mix in safe checkdowns. Their defense will aim to force third and long, then rally to the ball to limit yards after catch.
Indiana can counter by playing fast with high percentage throws. Quick outs, slants, and running back screens can keep drives alive. The Hoosiers also need designed quarterback movement to create easy reads. If they steal an early possession with a takeaway or a special teams spark, belief will grow on that sideline.
The first quarter is a feel out. The second is the pivot. By halftime, both staffs will know which cleat setup works, how the ball is flying, and which returners are comfortable. The fourth quarter will belong to the team that wins first down and handles the wet ball under pressure.
The Rose Bowl stage, rain or shine
The Rose Bowl is college football’s postcard, even when the San Gabriel Mountains hide in low clouds. The arc of the bowl fills with color, and the grass gleams under lights. Rain adds drama. Breath hangs in the cool air. Every cut is a choice. Every catch earns a roar.
This quarterfinal sets the tone for the new era, and it does it on sacred ground. Alabama knows this stage. Indiana is eager to make it theirs. The weather is not a subplot. It is a co-star.
Conclusion: Set your viewing plan now. If you are in Pasadena, dress smart, move early, and check official advisories before you head in. On the field, trust the line of scrimmage and the teams that treat the ball like a trophy. The Rose Bowl is built for big moments. Today, it gets one, soaked in grit and soaked in rain.
