The Alabama Crimson Tide’s season came to an end in Pasadena on New Year’s Day in what was an embarrassing 38-3 defeat to the No. 1 ranked Indiana Hoosiers, the largest bowl defeat in the history of the program.

Not only was it the worst postseason defeat for Alabama over a century of games, it was also the most lopsided overall defeat for the team since a 1998 42-6 drubbing at the hands of Arkansas.

Things didn’t all unravel at once, and early in the first quarter it certainly seemed like the underdog Crimson Tide was going to be able to hang right in with the Hoosiers. But Indiana simply out-executed Alabama for four quarters straight and made the result what it was.

On the first drive of the game for Indiana, the Hoosiers went three and out on a drive which ended in a sack for the defense, and though the Tide did not answer with points, they did move the ball down the field a bit and did not look overwhelmed at all.

After pinning Indiana deep inside the 10 with a punt, the next drive would set the tone for the rest of the day. Though Alabama stood tall with a goal line stop in the red zone, it was a 16-play, 84-yard drive where the Hoosiers had every answer to the Alabama defense.

When Alabama took back possession, Kalen DeBoer made the controversial decision to go for it on fourth down, but a failed trick play gave Indiana the ball back in Tide territory. From there, the rout was on.

Alabama would punt on its next drive and force another three and out, and though the offense was moving the ball again towards the end of the half, it was a Ty Simpson fumble that gave the Hoosiers possession near midfield, which they would take advantage of to go up 17-0 at the break.

After an instant three and out to start the second half, DeBoer would pull Ty Simpson — who was revealed to have suffered a serious rib injury on the hit where he fumbled the ball in the first half — in favor of Austin Mack.

Though Mack delivered a small spark, it was too late coming off yet another long Indiana touchdown drive to go up 24-0.

The Hoosiers kept pouring it on with touchdown drives on their next two possessions as well, turning the game into the complete blowout that it became after Alabama seemingly failed to show up in the second half.

Moving forward, DeBoer and his staff clearly have some soul-searching to do this upcoming offseason. Alabama will see serious roster and staff turnover, a likely quarterback battle and hopefully some personnel upgrades as well.

Until this team gets ready to hit the field again next August, it’s going to be a long and painful winter and spring.