Roll Tide Wire's X factors for CFP quarterfinal game vs. Indiana

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Alabama plays Indiana at 4 p.m. ET on New Year's Day in the CFP quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

The Tide need to have a great performance to come out victorious. They have to play well on every level to take the burden off Ty Simpson. Ryan Grubb will have to call an excellent game. The elite Alabama playmakers will have to step up on both sides of the ball. The Tide have multiple NFL prospects, and they need make significant contributions to beat an undefeated Indiana team.

Here is a look at three X factors for the Crimson Tide to upset Indiana on Thursday afternoon.

How will Alabama offensive line hold up?

How will the Alabama offensive line hold up in this game? The Indiana defense led the Big Ten in sacks, as well as rushing defense. How will the Alabama offensive line hold up against such a sound attack? Will the Tide be able to give Ty Simpson time? How elite is the Indiana defensive line?

Indiana is a well coached team, and will the Alabama offensive line be able to get a push at the line of scrimmage? I don't think Ty Simpson can beat Indiana by himself. Alabama will have to rush for at least 100 yards to win the game.

Germie Bernard

Germie Bernard needs to have a great game for Alabama to win. He needs to make at least six-to-seven catches for the Tide to be victorious. The reason I say this is because he has to be effective at the short and intermediate level, so this can open the deep passing game for other receivers.

Ty Simpson has to complete passes to Bernard and Horton at the intermediate level to open up the deep passing game. Ty Simpson will not be able to beat Indiana purely through a deep passing game. He needs to be able to shorter passes to keep the Indiana offense honest.

Will Alabama win the time of possession?

If Alabama can't control the ball in this game, it will drastically hurt their chances of winning. Indiana has a high powered offense, run by a dual threat quarterback, who no one has been able to stop. If Alabama cannot run the football, they will be giving the ball back to Fernando Mendoza, who is physically gifted and a matchup problem.

Alabama needs to be able to sustain drives and keep Mendoza off the field. The Indiana running game has averaged 5.5 yards per carry, so they have multiple backs to grind clock away against the Tide.

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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Alabama football X factors vs Indiana in CFP quarterfinal at Rose Bowl

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