Part of what makes the Rose Bowl so majestic is the perfectly manicured grass that few are allowed to walk on pregame.
It was tarped as greater Los Angeles was pounded with rain overnight, including heavy rain during Thursday morning’s live broadcast of ESPN “College GameDay.” With the field tarped, crews were seen using squeegees to push rainwater off the edges of the grass.
Though, in the final hour of the show, the skies lightened, partly because it was closing in on 9 a.m. local time, as the darker clouds subsided. The tarps were removed and the field looked gorgeous as ever after being protected.
So, as top-seeded Indiana football (13-0) prepares for tradition-rich No. 9 Alabama (11-3), the weather may play an important factor in who decides the victor of the College Football Playoff quarterfinal, scheduled for 4 p.m. ET.
Those who started their day at the Rose Parade were seen in raingear, and the rain-soaked day is expected to continue as the Hoosiers hope to keep their season alive. Here’s the latest forecasts and how it may impact the game.
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Will it rain for 2026 Rose Bowl game? Weather forecast for Indiana vs Alabama football game at Rose Bowl in CFP quarterfinal.
There was a flood watch beginning late Wednesday night for Pasadena, California, and extending until noon local time, according to the National Weather Service. This is an improvement from the days leading up to the game, which is scheduled for 1 p.m. PT kickoff.
Though there was a 100% chance of precipitation, the rain totals have lowered significantly. What was once estimated to be 1 to 2 inches of rain as recent as Wednesday afternoon has dropped to a quarter to a half-inch of rain Thursday afternoon — this forecast posted at 8:52 a.m. PT. Still, NWS said that rain could be heavy and a thunderstorm could be produced.
A further look shows a 62% chance of rain at kickoff and likely through the first half. But by 4 p.m., or the start of the second half, the chances drop to 10%.
Will there be a sunset for Rose Bowl 2026?
The famed sunset on the San Gabriel mountains is why the game has traditionally kicked off at 4 p.m. each New Year’s Day. The cotton candy-looking sky typically appears at the end of the third quarter, and should the clouds clear, Midwesterners know well how beautiful a sunset can be after rain storms.
We’ll see!
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What time is the Rose Bowl today, Jan. 1, 2026? What time does Indiana football play Alabama in CFP today, Jan. 1, 2026? When does the Rose Bowl game start today, Jan. 1, 2026?
Game time is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026.
How rain, weather impacts Rose Bowl game between Indiana, Alabama football
Given the forecast, expect the first half to favor the Hoosiers if rain persists and there are wet field conditions despite being tarped. IU ranked 10th nationally in averaging 221.2 yards rushing per contest. Alabama has not had a good rushing attack this season, ranking outside the top 100 at 109.9 yards rushing per game.
Making a game one-dimensional is easier on an IU pass rush that is hindered by injuries to Kellan Wyatt and, his replacement, Stephen Daley. That brings a challenge to defensive coordinator Bryant Haines in how he disguises blitzes and coverage packages against Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson.
But, as the forecast shows, the game could tilt in Alabama’s favor in the second half as the rain chances decrease. There may still be sloppy terrain to navigate and wet footballs, but that shouldn’t hinder an Alabama passing attack that ranked 21st nationally at 270.2 yards per game — one spot and 2 yards ahead of Ohio State.
IU has been balanced offensively, and ranked 41st with 251.6 yards passing per game. That offense, of course, led by Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza.
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: How rain-soaked Rose Bowl impacts Indiana-Alabama football. Latest forecast, sunset
Reporting by Aaron Ferguson, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
