Alabama football OC Ryan Grubb saw more than just better performance from Ty Simpson in the second half vs. Oklahoma. He saw better intangibles, too.

The Alabama football offensive coordinator is eager to face Indiana in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl: the No. 1 team in the country, the team with a Heisman Trophy winner, the team with a "heck of a quarterback (and) staff."

The top-ranked Indiana Hoosiers (13-0) begin their pursuit of the national championship January 1 against the Alabama Crimson Tide (11-3) in the Rose Bowl.

Bama has cleared the first hurdle of the College Football Playoff. Now, it is on to the Rose Bowl for a game against the top seeded Hoosiers.

No. 1 Indiana and No. 9 Alabama meet on New Year's Day in the quarterfinal round of the College Football Playoff. Here's everything you need to know about the Rose Bowl matchup, including time, TV channel and more.

No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 9 Alabama | A closer look at the statistical matchup between the Hoosiers and Crimson Tide in the Rose Bowl Game.

Here's how the recruit rankings for IU football's starters compare to Alabama, and what they say about the Rose Bowl matchup:

The Bulldogs are learning how to win close games at an opportune time as the start of conference games is one game away.