The Rose Bowl and College Football Playoff provide plenty of motivation for players without needing any extra from outside noise. But Alabama has had a plethora of outside noise to aid in additional fuel for Thursday's matchup against No. 1 Indiana.
Pundits far and wide aren't giving the Crimson Tide much of a chance against the unbeaten Hoosiers. That's nothing new for this team, though. They've been doubted ever since the season-opening loss to Florida State.
Alabama was dead, Kalen DeBoer was on the hot seat, and it was time to start planning for a new future.