Mind Your Banners

Bloomington Herald-Times' Mike Niziolek and IndyStar's Zach Osterman discuss the ins and outs of Indiana's 31-7 win Saturday over Wisconsin, in the Hoosiers' regular-season home finale.

Mind Your Banners doubles up this week, this time talking about a pair of 3-0 starts over at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Zach Osterman and Mike Niziolek discuss the good and bad in the early returns from both Teri Moren's team, and Darian DeVries' first IU outfit.

Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman discuss Indiana's dramatic late win at Penn State, the Hoosiers' upcoming visit from Wisconsin, Fernando Mendoza's Heisman campaign, IU's CFP positioning and more. Chapters: 0:00 -- Intro 1:26 -- Final thoughts on Penn State 4:01 -- What we've learned from IU's close wins 15:50 -- Fernando Mendoza's Heisman campaign 27:19 -- Previewing Wisconsin 34:35 -- Injuries 37:46 -- IU in the CFP Read: https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/indiana/2025/11/11/why-indiana-football-ahead-texas-am-cfp-rankings-championship-game-mack-rhoades-college-playoff/87223540007/ Get IndyStar's IU coverage sent directly to your inbox with our IU Insider newsletter: https://profile.indystar.com/newsletters/iu-insider/?ipid=NLsignupIU

Mike Niziolek (in State College) and Zach Osterman (in West Lafayette) gather to discuss one of the most exhilarating wins in Indiana football history Saturday afternoon, a last-minute, come-from-behind victory at Penn State. It marks the first time the Hoosiers have won in State College, and may very well hand Fernando Mendoza his Heisman moment. Read: https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/indiana/2025/11/08/indiana-football-win-penn-state-sets-up-ohio-state-big-ten-championship-game-origin-story-new-era/87166835007/ Get IndyStar's IU coverage sent directly to your inbox with our IU Insider newsletter: https://profile.indystar.com/newsletters/iu-insider/?ipid=NLsignupIU

Zach Osterman and Mike Niziolek host this week's Mind Your Banners to discuss the Hoosiers' debut at No. 2 in the College Football Playoff top 25, Indiana's forthcoming test at struggling Penn State, Darian DeVries' official IU debut and more. Chapters: 0:00 -- Intro 0:55 -- IU debuts in top two in CFP 10:58 -- Looking at Penn State 20:15 -- Nittany Lions' defensive danger/struggles 22:55 -- How Indiana's injuries intersect with this season 30:31 -- IU's overall road forward from here 38:04 -- Thoughts on DeVries' record-setting debut Read: https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/indiana/2025/11/06/indiana-basketball-fun-watch-alabama-am-darian-devries-first-win-score-stats-highlights-dunk/87114751007/ Get IndyStar's IU coverage sent directly to your inbox with our IU Insider newsletter: https://profile.indystar.com/newsletters/iu-insider/?ipid=NLsignupIU

Sean Fitz, Publisher of Blue White Illustrated in the On3Sports network and longtime friend of the show, joins Zach Osterman to discuss Penn State's season so far, what's gone so wrong in State College, where the Nittany Lions can still pose a threat this weekend and more. Chapters: 0:00 -- Intro 1:58 -- Season so far, and what's gone wrong 7:29 -- The vibe around this game in State College 11:22 -- Penn State's talent advantage(?) 17:41 -- Ground game & QB relationship 25:11 -- Jim Knowles' defense 31:31 -- Wrapping up Read: https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/indiana/2025/11/04/indiana-football-cfp-playoff-rankings-ohio-state-notre-dame-texas-am-cfb-top-25-nd/87096245007/ Get IndyStar's IU coverage sent directly to your inbox with our IU Insider newsletter: https://profile.indystar.com/newsletters/iu-insider/?ipid=NLsignupIU

IU Insider Zach Osterman breaks down the first College Football Playoff Top 25, where the Hoosiers fit, what we learned from the committee's first ballot and more. Get IndyStar's IU coverage sent directly to your inbox with our IU Insider newsletter: https://profile.indystar.com/newsletters/iu-insider/?ipid=NLsignupIU

Zach Osterman and Mike Niziolek discuss No. 2 Indiana's demolition job at Maryland on Saturday, 55-10, as Curt Cignetti's team moves one step closer to clinching a place in the Big Ten championship game next month in Indianapolis.

Edward Lee, who covers Maryland football for The Baltimore Sun, joins Zach Osterman on the podcast to discuss this weekend's meeting between the Terrapins and Indiana in College Park. Chapters: 0:00 -- Intro 0:36 -- Maryland's season so far 4:22 -- Malik Washington's growth at quarterback 6:25 -- Fourth-quarter drop-offs 9:31 -- Jalen Huskey's targeting suspension 11:05 -- Maryland D vs. Indiana O Read: https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/indiana/2025/10/25/indiana-football-dominant-scoring-offense-defense-injuries-historic-season/86898856007/ Get IndyStar's IU coverage sent directly to your inbox with our IU Insider newsletter: https://profile.indystar.com/newsletters/iu-insider/?ipid=NLsignupIU

Zach Osterman and Mike Niziolek meet for their weekly podcast to discuss the Hoosiers' upcoming game at Maryland, Fernando Mendoza's hardening Heisman hopes, Big Ten championship game and College Football Playoff scenarios, and more. Plus, one last word on IU's exhibition win in men's hoops Sunday against Baylor. Chapters: 0:00 -- Intro 1:29 -- IU heading into the stretch run 6:18 -- Talking postseason/Playoff scenarios 16:27 -- Looking at Maryland matchup 26:06 -- Aiden Fisher injury/Isaiah Jones' stand-in 32:06 -- HeisMendoza 43:28 -- Quick hoops check-in post-Baylor Read: https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/indiana/2025/10/25/indiana-football-dominant-scoring-offense-defense-injuries-historic-season/86898856007/ Get IndyStar's IU coverage sent directly to your inbox with our IU Insider newsletter: https://profile.indystar.com/newsletters/iu-insider/?ipid=NLsignupIU

Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman check in from Memorial Stadium following the Hoosiers' dominant victory over UCLA on Saturday, a game which saw Indiana reinforce its ability to dominate defensively in conference play. Get IndyStar's IU coverage sent directly to your inbox with our IU Insider newsletter: https://profile.indystar.com/newsletters/iu-insider/?ipid=NLsignupIU

Insider Zach Osterman is joined by Jordan Mendoza, college sports reporter with USA Today Sports, to preview this weekend's meeting between the Bruins and Hoosiers in Bloomington. The two talk UCLA's turnaround, Nico Iamaleava's impact and status, and more. Chapters: 0:00 -- Intro 0:45 -- What has changed for UCLA during win streak? 7:26 -- Nico's impact, and health after last week 13:02 -- Pass protection and his mobility in UCLA's offense 16:20 -- UCLA defensive turnaround 18:42 -- Bruins' mentality and momentum 21:01 -- UCLA's point of view on IU matchup Read: https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/indiana/2025/10/21/curt-cignetti-new-contract-salary-details-indiana-football-buyout-pam-whitten-scott-dolson/86819277007/ Get IndyStar's IU coverage sent directly to your inbox with our IU Insider newsletter: https://profile.indystar.com/newsletters/iu-insider/?ipid=NLsignupIU

Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman host the first-ever Mind Your Banners live and in person at Homefield at Tracks, on Kirkwood in downtown Bloomington. A big thanks to Homefield Apparel for hosting, as Mike and Zach unpack the Marian exhibition last Friday, what to take from Indiana's homecoming win over Michigan State, where the Hoosiers' season stands through seven games and what to expect from this weekend against UCLA. Get IndyStar's IU coverage sent directly to your inbox with our IU Insider newsletter: https://profile.indystar.com/newsletters/iu-insider/?ipid=NLsignupIU

Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman pick apart the good and bad from Indiana's 38-13 homecoming win Saturday against Michigan State. Discussion includes Fernando Mendoza's performance, the strength of IU's skill group, a mixed-bag day for the defense and more. Get IndyStar's IU coverage sent directly to your inbox with our IU Insider newsletter: https://profile.indystar.com/newsletters/iu-insider/?ipid=NLsignupIU

ike Niziolek and Zach Osterman call an emergency podcast to discuss news that broke late Thursday afternoon: Curt Cignetti has signed a new contract with IU, this one running through 2033. Osterman and Niziolek discuss the terms of the deal, what it says about Cignetti's commitment to IU and where the Hoosiers go from here. Chapters: 0:00 -- Intro 0:59 -- Cignetti's contract details 4:19 -- Buyout clarificatio 10:32 -- The importance of proactivity and alignment 17:20 -- Cignetti retiring a Hoosier? 21:04 -- Where the season goes from here Read: https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/indiana/2025/10/16/curt-cignetti-contract-highest-paid-college-coaches-buyout-indiana-football-retire-hoosier-age/86733568007/ Get IndyStar's IU coverage sent directly to your inbox with our IU Insider newsletter: https://profile.indystar.com/newsletters/iu-insider/?ipid=NLsignupIU

The podcast welcomes Graham Couch, columnist for the Lansing State Journal, to take a look at Indiana's next opponent, Michigan State, ahead of the Hoosiers homecoming rivalry meeting with the Spartans in Bloomington. Read: https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/indiana/2025/10/13/curt-cignetti-penn-state-coaching-candidate-firing-james-franklin-indiana-football-nil-pat-kraft/86666741007/ Get IndyStar's IU coverage sent directly to your inbox with our IU Insider newsletter: https://profile.indystar.com/newsletters/iu-insider/?ipid=NLsignupIU

Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman host their weekly live podcast, putting a bow on Oregon before looking at this week's matchup against a struggling Michigan State team. What are Curt Cignetti's keys to this game, what's going on in East Lansing and how it might affect Saturday's Old Brass Spittoon matchup. Chapters: 0:00 -- Intro 3:06 -- Tying a bow on Oregon 5:57 -- Michigan State's current troubles 9:40 -- IU staying focused out of Oregon 13:21 -- Michigan State scout, game preview 31:15 -- Final thoughts, predictions Read: https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/indiana/2025/10/13/curt-cignetti-penn-state-coaching-candidate-firing-james-franklin-indiana-football-nil-pat-kraft/86666741007/ Get IndyStar's IU coverage sent directly to your inbox with our IU Insider newsletter: https://profile.indystar.com/newsletters/iu-insider/?ipid=NLsignupIU

Mike Niziolek (in Eugene) and Zach Osterman (in Bloomington) huddle to discuss the ins and outs of Indiana's 30-20 road win at Oregon on Saturday. Mike and Zach dive into an excellent defensive performance, what to make of IU offensively, what this win means for this season and beyond.

Zach Osterman and Mike Niziolek welcome James Crepea, Oregon beat reporter for The Oregonian, to the podcast to preview Indiana's top-10 showdown with the Ducks in Eugene. Osterman, Niziolek and Crepea dive into a clutch of important topics, including Oregon quarterback Dante Moore's growth, what the Penn State win meant and whether this Oregon team is Dan Lanning's best so far. (Disclaimer: Podcast recorded before Week 6 games.) Chapters: 0:00 -- Intro 2:08 -- Oregon overview 5:53 -- Is this Oregon team Dan Lanning's most talented 10:12 -- How the Ducks built impressive depth 17:17 -- What the Penn State win meant 22:07 -- Dante Moore's growth at quarterback 38:43 -- Thoughts on Indiana, perception of this game from Oregon's side Get IndyStar's IU coverage sent directly to your inbox with our IU Insider newsletter: https://profile.indystar.com/newsletters/iu-insider/?ipid=NLsignupIU

Zach Osterman and Mike Niziolek pick apart one of the most exciting games of the season, and one of Indiana's toughest tests: No. 7 IU at No. 2 Oregon, on Saturday afternoon in Eugene. What does this game teach us about Indiana? What will the Hoosiers need from Fernando Mendoza? What's at stake, win or lose? Zach and Mike explore that and more, on this week's Mind Your Banners. Chapters: 0:00 -- Intro 0:46 -- How big is this game for Indiana? 9:07 -- Looking at Oregon 18:34 -- Oregon's Dante Moore 27:25 -- Indiana's defensive strength this season 42:14 -- Fernando Mendoza on the big stage 53:04 -- Final thoughts/predictions Get IndyStar's IU coverage sent directly to your inbox with our IU Insider newsletter: https://profile.indystar.com/newsletters/iu-insider/?ipid=NLsignupIU

Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman sit down for this week's podcast, examining IU football's 5-0 start, where the Hoosiers stand at the bye week and more. Plus, a lengthy look at Darian DeVries' preseason preparations, and why he's bringing his basketball team to his fan base so intentionally and so often this month.

Zach Osterman and Mike Niziolek discuss Indiana's 20-15 win Saturday afternoon at Kinnick Stadium, a game won by a late pass from Fernando Mendoza to Elijah Sarratt that left Curt Cignetti and his players praising the resilience of a team now heading into its bye week 5-0.

Tyler Tachman from the Des Moines Register joins a special Mind Your Banners to preview Indiana's Saturday trip to Iowa from the Hawkeyes' side. What strengths might Iowa lean on? Do the Hawkeyes have injury concerns? What's the interest in this game from the local side? Tachman and Osterman cover a multitude of topics as they prepare listeners for this weekend's game.

Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman huddle to trade final thoughts on IU football's 63-10 win last weekend against Illinois, before turning their attention to the challenge awaiting Curt Cignetti's team this weekend in Iowa City. Will Fernando Mendoza handle his first road test? How do the Hoosiers navigate Kinnick Stadium? What kind of game will this be? All that and more, discussed. Chapters: 0:00 -- Intro 1:24 -- Wrapping Illinois 7:46 -- What we've learned about IU through four games 20:08 -- Initial thoughts on Iowa 28:30 -- The Hawkeyes' defensive strength 35:50 -- Kinnick Stadium, and Indiana's first road test 41:53 -- Fernando Mendoza so far 47:33 -- Louis Moore eligibility update 50:47 -- Final thoughts and predictions

Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman break down the ins and outs of Indiana's dominant 63-10 win Saturday night against Illinois, a blowout victory over a top-10 team. Topics discussed include Fernando Mendoza's performance, IU's wider dominance offensively, the threat of Indiana's pass rush and what all this game means for Curt Cignetti's program moving forward. Get IndyStar's IU coverage sent directly to your inbox with our IU Insider newsletter: https://profile.indystar.com/newsletters/iu-insider/?ipid=NLsignupIU

Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman sit down to discuss (through some technical difficulties) Indiana's forthcoming primetime showdown with top-10-ranked Illinois. The Hoosiers will be tested against Illinois' veteran passing attack, while the game will be a challenge for Fernando Mendoza and his offensive line.

Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman discuss what impressed them about IU football's dominant nonconference finale win against Indiana State on Friday night, including Omar Cooper's record night, Fernando Mendoza's confidence and an impressive defensive display.

Zach Osterman and Mike Niziolek discuss the Hoosiers' win over Kennesaw State, Fernando Mendoza's growth from Week 1 to Week 2, what, if anything, Indiana can take out of its forthcoming game against Indiana State, and how quickly the focus will shift to Illinois. Chapters: 0:00 -- Intro 1:04 -- Reviewing Kennesaw State 7:32 -- Fernando Mendoza's improvement 13:25 -- Latest on Louis Moore's case 17:14 -- Indiana State, as it frames Illinois 27:04 -- What IU can glean from Friday's game

IndyStar's Zach Osterman and The Herald-Times' Mike Niziolek discuss IU football's 56-9 win against Kennesaw State on Saturday, including an improved connection between Elijah Sarratt and Fernando Mendoza, Mendoza's improvement from Week 1 to Week 2, a defensive display with pros and cons, and more.

Zach Osterman and Mike Niziolek discuss the good, bad and indifferent from IU football's 27-14 Week 1 win against Old Dominion, a victory that flashed promise for Curt Cignetti's Hoosiers while suggesting Indiana still has work to do to return to the College Football Playoff conversation in 2025. Chapters: 0:00 -- Intro 1:15 -- General Old Dominion takeaways 8:24 -- Fernando Mendoza's IU debut 17:48 -- An expanded ground game, and newfound explosiveness 27:11 -- Injuries, Louis Moore and safety concerns 33:27 -- A look at Kennesaw State 43:28 -- IU grappling with greater expectations Get IndyStar's IU coverage sent directly to your inbox with our IU Insider newsletter: https://profile.indystar.com/newsletters/iu-insider/?ipid=NLsignupIU

Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman return with the ultimate Mind Your Banners supershow. Across the course of more than 90 minutes, Mike and Zach break down key questions surrounding Curt Cignetti's team, offer schedule projections and bold predictions, and pepper in some playful over/unders specific to IU's performance offensively and defensively this fall. Remember to like and subscribe IndyStarTV: Hoosiers on YouTube for more great IU football content across the course of the coming season!

Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman sit down to discuss football fall camp (position battles, areas of concern, reasons for optimism) and IU basketball's recent preseason tour of Puerto Rico, where Darian DeVries' team showcases some promise and some progress across a 3-0 trip.

Zach Osterman and Mike Niziolek discuss their takeaways from IU basketball's open practice last week, how it informs what they expect from the Hoosiers' preseason tour of Puerto Rico and what Darian DeVries' team might accomplish this week in San Juan.

Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman dig into the talking points that emerged from Big Ten football media days last week, and what to watch closely as the Hoosiers gather for Curt Cignetti's second fall camp in Bloomington.

With conference media days looming next week, Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman discuss the mood around the Hoosiers, the recent debate about their nonconference scheduling philosophy, where Fernando Mendoza fits into the national conversation around Indiana, and more.

IndyStar IU Insider Zach Osterman and Mike Niziolek of the Bloomington Herald-Times sit down to discuss the impending start of the revenue-sharing era, how it affects NIL's impact on college sports and how Indiana plans to implement rev share in Year 1. Plus, discussions of expectations and early thoughts about IU's 2025 football season.

Evansville native, Butler alum and national broadcaster Brandon Gaudin joins the podcast to discuss his career, his work over the years calling Butler basketball and Big Ten sports, working as the voice of the Madden video game franchise and his role now as the television play-by-play voice of the Atlanta Braves.

Zach Osterman and Mike Niziolek discuss Mike's takeaways from IU's spring football game last week, before diving into the considerable job Darian DeVries and his staff have done rebuilding the IU men's basketball roster almost from scratch, with work left to do.

Zach Osterman and Mike Niziolek sit down to preview IU's looming Thursday spring game. The pair examine key storylines on both sides of the ball, areas the Hoosiers need more depth, where youth might be served for Curt Cignetti's team in 2025, and more.

Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman discuss the latest in Bloomington, as Darian DeVries begins to build out both his coaching staff and his roster, and prepares to jump back into the portal starting with a slew of visits this weekend.

Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman discuss takeaways from Wednesday's news conference announcing Darian DeVries as Indiana's next men's basketball coach, with thoughts on DeVries' message and approach, IU's search process and what's next.

Zach Osterman and Mike Niziolek jump into the live podcast engine to discuss Indiana's decision to tap West Virginia coach Darian DeVries as the Hoosiers' 31st men's basketball coach. Zach and Mike break down the pros and cons of DeVries' resume across head-coaching stops at both Drake and WVU, and what his arrival means for IU going forward.

Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman break down Selection Sunday for both IU's men's and women's basketball teams, the snub on one side and the path through the first weekend on the other. And the boys finish their podcast with a deep dive into the state of the search. Read more on what's next for IU basketball: https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/indiana/2025/03/17/indiana-basketball-coaching-search-transfer-portal-nil/82496387007/ Chapters: 0:00 -- Intro 1:25 -- IU snubbed?? 8:42 -- Putting a bow on the men's season 24:31 -- Resetting the roster from here 27:33 -- Looking at the path for Teri Moren's Hoosiers 36:27 -- Coaching search super deep dive 1:01:29 -- Historical search comparisons

Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman set the table for Indiana's potential path through the Big Ten tournament, while also exploring the Hoosiers' current NCAA tournament position and whether some left-field mid-major names might soon come into the frame for IU's soon-to-be-open head-coaching position. Chapters: 0:00 -- Intro 1:50 -- Recapping the regular season 16:50 -- Mike Woodson's legacy as IU coach 25:37 -- The season from here forward 37:30 -- Coaching search updates 50:10 -- Potential mid-major candidates

IU Insider Zach Osterman is joined this week by ESPN national college basketball insider Jeff Borzello, to discuss the latest on Indiana's coaching search, where the Hoosiers fit in the national conversation and how a process like this differs when it unfolds across a longer-than-normal timeline. Chapters: 0:00 -- Intro 1:50 -- Navigating a modern coaching search 11:35 -- Is IU the best job on the market this cycle? 17:56 -- The role of a search firm in the process 26:07 -- The impact of revenue sharing on the job's appeal 37:18 -- Best-case scenarios for the Hoosiers

Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman unpack a busy end of February for IU men's basketball. The Hoosiers approach a pivotal West Coast trip riding momentum for the first time in a while, with NCAA tournament hopes growing. While behind the scenes, the search for Mike Woodson's successor rolls on toward the month in which it will likely conclude.

IndyStar's Zach Osterman and Mike Niziolek of the Bloomington Herald-Times break down the Hoosiers' 73-58 upset win over No. 14 Purdue, breaking down the keys to Indiana's victory and what it means to postseason possibilities.

Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman discuss where things stand here in the early stages of Indiana's search for Mike Woodson's replacement, what step in the process Scott Dolson might find himself at the moment and what key factors will inform his ultimate decision.

Zach Osterman and Mike Niziolek pick apart the Hoosiers' three-point loss to Michigan on Saturday afternoon, a game defined as much by the atmosphere around it as what happened on the court.

Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman discuss the fallout from Friday's news that IU coach Mike Woodson will step down at the end of the current season. What does this mean for the Hoosiers in the short term, where will Scott Dolson go from here and what kind of job is he offering at Indiana?

Bloomington Herald-Times' Mike Niziolek and IndyStar's Zach Osterman discuss the ins and outs of the Hoosiers' last-minute loss Sunday against Maryland, a defeat that begins to set the season at large on a more difficult course to navigate.