Pasadena has been absolutely drenched over the last several days, with weather forecasters predicting heavy rain and thunderstorms throughout New Year’s Day morning and into the afternoon. That’s exactly the anxiety a viral social media post played on Thursday afternoon, claiming the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Indiana Hoosiers was being moved to SoFi Stadium in Inglewood due to weather concerns. The post spread like wildfire across Twitter, causing confusion and genuine panic among fans who’d traveled to Pasadena for the game.​

But the answer is no. The Rose Bowl is not moving to SoFi Stadium. The post is completely fake and was created solely to generate engagement on social media. There has been no official announcement from the Rose Bowl Game organizers, the College Football Playoff, the Big Ten Conference, the SEC, or any of the parties mentioned in the fabricated statement. 

The game is still scheduled to kick off at 1 p.m. PT (4 p.m. ET) on Thursday at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, exactly as planned. Weather forecasts do call for rain in the morning and a chance of showers during the game itself. But there’s been zero indication from any official source that the game would be relocated. Forecasters actually expected the bulk of the rain to clear by kickoff. It will leave mostly cloudy skies and temperatures in the low-to-mid 60s.​

What made this fake post so believable and effective at deceiving people was its official-sounding tone. The fabricated statement claimed the decision was made “after discussions with California Governor Gavin Newsom, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey, Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti, President Trump, and AMS Certified Meteorologist James Spann.” It even included specific details about limited attendance at SoFi Stadium being restricted to “players, coaches, essential support staff, and credentialed media only,” along with a promise that “additional information regarding the ticket refund process will be announced at a later time.” 

The post concluded with an apology: “We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to Pasadena in 2027.” The inclusion of James Spann, a real meteorologist who actually did forecast rain for the Rose Bowl, added an extra layer of credibility that caught people off guard.

The Rose Bowl matchup between Alabama and Indiana remains one of the most compelling CFP quarterfinals. The undefeated Hoosiers make their first Rose Bowl appearance since 1968.  The weather might force both sides to lean on their ground games (good luck, Alabama). But that won’t diminish the stakes or the drama. It’s happening in Pasadena, rain or shine. Don’t believe everything you see on Twitter, especially when it’s designed to mess with you.​

DeBoer still believes in Williams 

Ryan Williams’ sophomore season has been a far cry from the promise he showed as a freshman, and the numbers don’t lie. After catching 48 passes for 865 yards and 8 touchdowns in 2024, Williams’ 2025 campaign saw his production drop to 43 receptions for 636 yards and just 4 touchdowns. The most alarming stat? His 18.9% drop rate ranks fourth-worst among 352 qualifying FBS receivers this season.

 Kirk Herbstreit even said during the SEC Championship Game broadcast that Williams “doesn’t seem to have those natural hands.” Williams has dropped at least one pass in 13 of his 24 career games. Over Alabama’s last four games, he’s managed just four total catches, and his production in the team’s biggest games this season has been underwhelming. But if you ask Kalen DeBoer, he’s not giving up on his sophomore star.

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DeBoer’s belief in Williams hasn’t wavered despite the struggles, and he made that crystal clear during Rose Bowl media day on Tuesday. “People can always say stuff, but they don’t know. When you’re there with him, and you see the smile, the work, the team-first attitude that he has, you can’t help but root for him, whether it’s as a coach or whether it’s as a teammate. I just love the guy. The guy is super talented, and it hasn’t been the perfect year,” DeBoer said. 

The Rose Bowl against Indiana could be the moment it all changes. It could be a chance for Williams to silence the doubters, shake off the sophomore slump, and remind everyone why he was considered one of college football’s brightest young stars just a year ago.​