Alabama will need all hands on deck to face an unbeaten Indiana in the Rose Bowl to keep its playoff hopes alive. After being down some important names, the Tide now has enough reason to hope for good. Fans will feel a little confident as two stars seem to be returning for the intense clash.

Alabama nearly escaped being knocked out of the playoffs by Oklahoma. The Tide was missing some key players, whose absences were making themselves felt in the game. One of them was star RB Kevin Riley, who has been out for the past three games with a broken jaw. He serves an important role in the depth chart, having recorded 56 carries for 222 yards and 2 TDs. Based on reports from Alabama’s latest practice, the team should see Kevin Riley back in action.

Riley was active for the entire duration of the practice, which is a positive indication of his health. His return would complete Alabama’s depth at RB, which is why his return is so important. Moreover, Kevin has been just as valuable as a receiver, hauling in 19 catches for 176 yards and one touchdown.

The budding RB broke out onto the scene in the Eastern Illinois game, where he won the Offensive Player of the Week for his 8 carries for 36 yards and 2 TDs. This was the first time Riley was able to get rushing scores in the season.

Alabama’s rushing attack, even with Jam Miller in play, has been slow. The Tide is averaging only 109.93 yards on the ground. This is what the Indiana defense is counting on. The Hoosiers are the third-best in the country in stopping the run. This is where Kevin Riley will prove to be crucial. The RB’s participation in the practice means that things should look better.

Riley will join an important defensive star, also making a comeback in the Rose Bowl.

Alabama is also expected to see LT Overton

Alabama can also see LT Overton return for the Indiana clash. Overton had been dealing with an undisclosed injury, but has been cleared to play on New Year’s Eve. The DE was an unexpected addition to the SEC Championship game’s availability report. Overton’s return was necessary, since he leads the D-line in tackles with 33.

“That’s an awesome blessing just for LT,” Wommack said on December 28.

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The DC refused to explicitly declare Overton back on for the game. However, he did mention that everything was “on track.”

“When you have a difference maker like that off the edge, it certainly changes your defense.”

The senior has become an anchor for the Alabama front seven ever since his debut in 2024. He chose to forego the draft after having a great first year at Alabama, once again leading the room in tackles for D-linemen. The defense will need that anchor back up to speed when facing one of the country’s most powerful offenses. It somehow pulled through in that defining second half against Oklahoma, but not before allowing 17 points in the first half.

Overton has also accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl, indicating he is ready to return.

Kalen DeBoer cannot afford to lose this game, both for the program’s sake and his own. He will need both the offense and the defense to hold their ground in the Rose Bowl so that Alabama can secure a win. Indiana will be one of Alabama’s toughest opponents of the season and won’t be letting up easily on the Tide.