Rose Bowl presents coaching connections between Indiana, Alabama sidelines

BLOOMINGTON — A self-professed film junkie, Curt Cignetti actually got an unintended head start on Alabama prep earlier this season. The Crimson Tide played games during both of Indiana’s idle weeks this season, and Cignetti confessed he’s “always enjoyed studying coach (Kalen) DeBoer’s offenses.” So, without necessarily meaning to, IU’s coach managed to get eyes on the Hoosiers’ Rose Bowl opponent long before Cignetti know what would await him in Pasadena. “They do a lot of really great stuff,” Cignetti said. “They’ve got a lot of great players, are extremely well-coached. They’re a really good team, and a tremendous challenge.” That complimentary nod from one sideline to the other Monday...