### Alabama's Rose Bowl Struggles: Ty Simpson's Bench Decision Amid Injury Concerns In the recent Rose Bowl matchup, Alabama faced a significant setback as quarterback Ty Simpson was benched during the game against Indiana. This decision came after Simpson sustained a cracked rib, which affected his performance and led to a 38-3 loss in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal. Coach Kalen DeBoer explained that the benching was a "coach's decision," influenced by Simpson's inability to effectively lead the team following the injury sustained during the first half of the game [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/kalen-deboer-explains-why-ty-020054653.html][https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/ty-simpson-benched-rose-bowl-alabama-austin-mack-indiana]. ### Breakdown of the Situation: Key Segments 1. **Injury Impact**: Ty Simpson suffered a cracked rib after a hard hit during the first half, which significantly hampered his ability to perform [https://www.southernsportstoday.com/2026/01/02/alabama-qb-ty-simpson-sustained-cracked-rib-in-rose-bowl-loss]. 2. **Coaching Decision**: Kalen DeBoer made the decision to bench Simpson in the third quarter, opting for backup quarterback Austin Mack to take over [https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-football/alabama/news/alabama-qb-ty-simpson-benched-austin-mack-after-injury-rose-bowl/4a874e0a3498bbac5e67c2f2]. 3. **Game Performance**: Simpson's performance prior to being benched was underwhelming, as he failed to reach 100 yards passing against the top-ranked Indiana team [https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/ty-simpson-benched-rose-bowl-alabama-austin-mack-indiana]. 4. **Outcome of the Game**: The decision to switch quarterbacks did not change the outcome, with Alabama suffering a heavy defeat [https://www.tuscaloosanews.com/story/sports/college/football/2026/01/01/austin-mack-alabama-football-ty-simpson-rose-bowl-indiana/87986699007]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Ty Simpson's Stats**: - Total passing yards: **Under 100** - Injury: **Cracked rib** sustained in the first half [https://www.southernsportstoday.com/2026/01/02/alabama-qb-ty-simpson-sustained-cracked-rib-in-rose-bowl-loss]. - **Austin Mack's Performance**: - Entered the game in the third quarter after Simpson's benching [https://www.tuscaloosanews.com/story/sports/college/sec/2026/01/01/how-did-alabama-football-qb-austin-mack-do-rose-bowl-vs-indiana-stats/87928610007]. ### Conclusion: Analyzing the Bench Decision and Its Implications 1. **Injury Management**: The decision to bench Ty Simpson was primarily driven by his injury, which limited his effectiveness on the field. 2. **Coaching Strategy**: Kalen DeBoer's choice to replace Simpson with Austin Mack reflects a strategic move to salvage the game, although it ultimately did not yield a positive result. 3. **Future Considerations**: The performance of both quarterbacks will likely influence Alabama's strategy moving forward, especially in high-stakes games like the College Football Playoff. In summary, the benching of Ty Simpson during the Rose Bowl was a critical moment influenced by injury and performance, leading to a disappointing outcome for Alabama against Indiana [https://www.al.com/alabamafootball/2026/01/alabama-makes-qb-change-benches-ty-simpson-in-rose-bowl-vs-indiana.html].