Cam Newton thinks Alabama already has a mental edge over Indiana heading into their Rose Bowl matchup. The former Heisman winner and ESPN analyst believes opponents fear the Crimson Tide in ways they don’t fear the Hoosiers.
Alabama beat Oklahoma on Friday to reach the second round of the College Football Playoff. They’ll face Indiana, who earned a first-round bye as the No. 1 overall seed.
Newton was blunt about how he sees the matchup during an appearance on ESPN’s First Take.
“I think nobody’s losing sleep over playing Indiana. But there are teams that are going to lose sleep over the thought of playing Alabama.”
The 2010 Heisman winner praised Indiana’s coaching staff. He called the Hoosiers one of the best-coached teams in college football.
But Newton doesn’t think good coaching alone can overcome Alabama’s advantages.
He pointed to recruiting as a major factor. Alabama consistently brings in elite talent that Indiana simply can’t match.
“When you look at top-to-bottom metrics, Alabama has five-star guys year in and year out. Indiana does not. That’s the difference when you start talking about physicality, size, and depth.”
Newton also highlighted the difference between SEC and Big Ten football styles. He believes Alabama’s physical, SEC-tested approach creates problems that Big Ten teams aren’t used to facing.
“It’s the ground-and-pound. It’s the girth. It’s the physicality. That brand of football isn’t matched until teams go against somebody from the SEC.”
He made clear that Indiana shouldn’t be overlooked entirely.
The Rose Bowl will mark the first football meeting between these programs. Alabama brings championship experience to the historic stage. Indiana gets a chance to prove that execution beats reputation.
Newton thinks the mental battle is already tilting toward Alabama before kickoff on New Year’s Day.
