ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit. Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Kirk Herbstreit's harsh message for Alabama was right on the money

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Larry Brown | Last updated Jan 2, 2026 8:09 AM ET

Kirk Herbstreit did not hold back when talking about the Alabama Crimson Tide while calling the Rose Bowl game between the Tide and Indiana Hoosiers on Thursday in Pasadena, California.

The Hoosiers dominated Alabama and won 38-3 to advance to the College Football Playoff semifinal in a new low for the Tide in the Kalen DeBoer era. IU led 17-0 at halftime, scored another touchdown in the third quarter, and they didn’t let up in the fourth either.

After Roman Hemby broke free for an 18-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to make it 38-3, Herbstreit laid it on Alabama with three words.

“This is embarrassing,” Herbstreit stated frankly.

He was right — it was embarrassing for Alabama. The 11-4 SEC squad was coming off a 34-24 road win over Oklahoma in their first-round playoff game. Then they came out the following contest and suffered their worst defeat of the season.

Chris Fowler: "Alabama being humiliated by this Indiana team."

Kirk Herbstreit: "Yeah, this is embarrassing." ️ #CFP pic.twitter.com/QpvIVah0PV
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 2, 2026

Bama had lost 28-7 to Georgia in the SEC Championship Game, but that wasn’t even as one-sided as things got in the Rose Bowl.

Bama passed for just 170 yards and rushed for a paltry 23 yards. Quarterback Ty Simpson got knocked out of the game and was replaced by Austin Mack, who went 11-of-16 for 103 yards.

Indiana, meanwhile, rushed for 215 yards and two touchdowns, while quarterback Fernando Mendoza went 14-of-16 for 192 yards with 3 touchdowns.

IU is now 14-0 and will face Oregon in the semifinals. This will be a rematch for the 13-1 Ducks, whose only loss of the season came to the Hoosiers.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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