LOS ANGELES — The Rose Bowl is known in college football for its pageantry.
Whether it’s the stunning sunset in the second half, the San Gabriel Mountains in the backdrop, the traditional 2 p.m. PST kickoff or the allure of playing in one of football’s most historic games and venues, the Rose Bowl has it all.
But one thing has been absent for 71 years: rain.
According to the National Weather Service, rain could impact Thursday’s Rose Bowl between No. 1 Indiana and the No. 9 University of Alabama.
Rain and a possible thunderstorm are forecast for before 4 p.m. PST. There’s a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4 p.m. PST, as some storms could produce heavy rainfall. Southeast winds from five to 10 mph will become south southwest in the afternoon.
The chance of precipitation is 100%, according to the NWS, with a forecasted high temperature of 63 degrees.
The 1955 Rose Bowl between USC and Ohio State was the last time the Rose Bowl was significantly impacted by rain. Rain fell throughout the entirety of the Buckeyes’ 20-7 victory over the Trojans, turning the field to mud.
Should the rain impact the field conditions Thursday, the two squads’ rushing attacks could prove even more crucial, as throwing the ball in the rain may become increasingly challenging.
Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer said during a press conference Wednesday that coaches have to assess the conditions in the moment, then adjust.
“You try to prepare and practice with a wet ball and things like that, whether it's snapping the football, catching the football, throwing it, whatever it is,” DeBoer said. “But in the end, we've just got to adapt.”
While the Crimson Tide hasn’t often played in rainy conditions this season, the Hoosiers have. They dealt with rain in victories over Illinois, Oregon and Michigan State.
Although rain could impact Thursday’s matchup, Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti doesn’t seem bothered. He echoed DeBoer’s approach of “adjusting, adapting and improvising” in the case of light showers.
“If it's a deluge, that's one thing,” Cignetti said. “I don't expect that tomorrow, and I don't expect it to be a real critical factor in the game, and I don't see it changing our game plan very much.”
The Hoosiers are aiming to win their first-ever Rose Bowl in just their second appearance — the other coming in 1968 against USC. If Indiana emerges victorious, it would write another chapter in Rose Bowl history.
Follow reporters Dalton James (@DaltonMJames and jamesdm@iu.edu) and Conor Banks (@Conorbanks06 and conbanks@iu.edu) and columnist Quinn Richards (@Quinn_richa and qmrichar@iu.edu) for updates throughout the Indiana football season.
