Nick Saban says fans aren't giving No. 1 Indiana 'proper respect' leading up to Rose Bowl against No. 9 Alabama

Even though Indiana — led by Heisman-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza — allows the third-fewest points per game (11.8 PPG) while also scoring the fourth-most points (39.3 PPG), many fans are still hesitant to back the Hoosiers on Thursday (4 p.m. ET, ESPN).

Indiana really excels at protecting the ball, having committed the third-fewest turnovers all season (eight) while also accumulating the sixth-fewest penalties (49). That speaks to a team that is well disciplined and not going to beat itself, which is a major reason behind the immediate success with Cignetti at the helm.

Even worse for the Crimson Tide, Indiana received an encouraging health update regarding its leading receiver, Omar Cooper Jr., on Monday. Despite suffering a lower-body injury in the Big Ten title game, it sounds like Cooper will be good to go for the Rose Bowl, creating even more challenges for an Alabama team that got behind 17 points to No. 8 Oklahoma in the first round before rallying for the road win.

It was not that long ago that Indiana would not be given a fighting chance against the Crimson Tide on the gridiron. While most fans are still reluctant to give the Hoosiers their due, they have clearly earned the No. 1 ranking and are as balanced as any team on both sides of the ball.

A first-round bye may not be ideal if last season is any indication, considering all four teams lost after receiving the additional time off. However, this Indiana team has proved it is for real all season long.

Now is its chance to complete arguably the greatest turnaround in the sport's history and fully earn the respect that most fans are still not willing to give it.