Podcast – CrimsonCast

Galen Clavio brings in Brooks White and Andrew Garrison from Hoosier Network for a student-media preview of the 2026 Indiana football season, with the Hoosiers just days away from opening against North Texas.The episode starts with the final week of preseason buildup: Back Home Network's ongoing positional previews, upcoming appearances from Rhett Lewis and Grace Ybarra, the C3 Bloomington Tailgate Bash at Renwick Village Center, and the sense that Bloomington is fully shifting into football mode.Once Brooks and Andrew join, the focus turns to what they have seen from Indiana through Big Ten Media Days, fall camp, and player availability. Andrew describes the program as almost “robotic,” but in the most complimentary way possible: consistent, disciplined, and so process-driven that there has not been much drama to react to. A major theme is the difference between last year's surprise and this year's expectation. Nobody went into 2025 assuming Indiana was about to go 16-0, win the Big Ten, and claim a national title. Now, the Hoosiers are trying to defend that level while integrating new stars, new transfers, and new pressure. Galen, Brooks, and Andrew talk about whether this team still has the same edge and whether the program's culture under Curt Cignetti can keep everything pointed in the right direction.The player discussion starts with possible breakout names. Davion Chandler comes up as a receiver who may not be top-of-mind behind Charlie Becker, Nick Marsh, and Tyler Morris, but who has speed and explosiveness that could give Indiana another useful weapon. The group also spends time on the running backs, where Turbo Richard, Khobie Martin, and Lee Beebe Jr. give IU a deep and intriguing room behind what should be one of the better offensive lines in the Big Ten.The longest football segment centers on Josh Hoover. Brooks pushes back hard against the idea that Hoover was the reason TCU struggled, arguing that the context around him matters: offensive line issues, defensive problems, a heavy burden in the passing game, and a very different situation from the one he inherits in Bloomington. Galen adds that TCU's Week Zero offensive struggles only made the old Hoover criticism look shakier. The defensive discussion focuses on the secondary. With D'Angelo Ponds gone, Indiana needs answers from players like A.J. Harris, Jamari Sharpe, and Ryland Gandy. Brooks sees cornerback as the defensive position group to watch early, especially because the biggest tests may not arrive until later against teams like Ohio State, USC, and Washington. Galen also points out that Bryant Haines' pass rush, pressure looks, and disguised coverages were a huge part of what made Indiana's defense work last year — and could help the secondary grow into the season.The back half of the episode is about student energy. Andrew talks about campus feeling anticipatory, with students discussing which games they were able to get tickets for and how quickly football became part of the conversation during welcome week. Brooks reflects on arriving at IU before the rise and wishing the school simply had a good football team — only to watch the program become a national champion and turn Memorial Stadium into a real home-field environment.The episode closes with predictions. Andrew goes all the way to 16-0 and another national championship, leaning into the idea that Indiana is still operating as a team of destiny until proven otherwise. Brooks predicts a 12-0 regular season, a College Football Playoff run, and believes Indiana is at least good enough to reach the semifinals. The group also debates a possible Indiana-Ohio State rematch in the Big Ten Championship, whether Oregon or Penn State could complicate the race, and why the Big Ten's top teams may once again define the national title chase.

Indiana football is trying to do something almost impossible: follow up a 16-0 national championship season by proving the program is not a one-year miracle. In Part 2 of CrimsonCast's 2026 season preview, Galen Clavio and Scott Caulfield look beyond the schedule and dig into the biggest questions that will define Curt Cignetti's third Indiana team.The conversation starts with the most obvious question: what does Indiana have at quarterback after Fernando Mendoza? Galen and Scott compare Mendoza's extraordinary 2025 season to what Josh Hoover brings into the offense, asking whether Hoover needs to recreate Mendoza's late-game magic or whether he can make Indiana better in a different way. They also revisit how Cignetti and Mike Shanahan have already shown the ability to take strong quarterback play and build an even higher offensive ceiling.From there, the preview shifts into the deeper championship-repeat questions. Can Indiana maintain the same player-led culture after losing leaders like Mendoza, Elijah Sarratt, Omar Cooper Jr., Pat Coogan, Riley Nowakowski, and D'Angelo Ponds? How much of IU's rise was tied to the original James Madison transfer core, and how much is now embedded into the program itself? Galen and Scott look at three years of Cignetti transfer classes, coordinator continuity with Bryant Haines, Mike Shanahan, and Grant Cain, and the way IU keeps finding players who fit its system better than the recruiting rankings suggest.The second half tackles injury luck, depth, eligibility uncertainty around Stephen Daley and Kellen Wyatt, the difference between star-studded depth and functional depth, and why Indiana may be better prepared than national analysts assume. The episode closes with a bigger psychological question: can Indiana avoid the post-championship “disease of me” and keep the same self-policing, team-first culture that made last year's run possible?Subscribe to the Back Home Network for more CrimsonCast coverage of Indiana football, IU athletics, Curt Cignetti, the Hoosiers, Big Ten football, and the 2026 college football season.

Indiana football is less than a week from beginning its 2026 season, and CrimsonCast is back with a full game-by-game preview of the reigning national champion Hoosiers under Curt Cignetti.Galen Clavio and Scott Caulfield look at where IU fits in the national college football conversation after a 16-0 championship season, why some analysts still seem reluctant to fully buy into the Hoosiers, and what Indiana has to do this year to erase any remaining “fluke” narrative. They discuss the program's player-led culture, the challenge of repeating, the historical rarity of back-to-back national championships, and why Josh Hoover may give Indiana a different but potentially even more explosive offensive ceiling after Fernando Mendoza.Then the show turns into a full schedule breakdown: North Texas, Howard, Western Kentucky, Northwestern, Rutgers, Nebraska, Ohio State, Michigan, Minnesota, USC, Washington, and Purdue. Galen and Scott talk through trap spots, road-game concerns, Memorial Stadium atmospheres, the massive Ohio State rematch, the historical weight of trying to win at Michigan, USC and Washington as late-season tests, and the Old Oaken Bucket finale.The episode closes with season predictions, Big Ten championship scenarios, College Football Playoff expectations, and why both hosts land on 11-1 for Indiana — with a possible Big Ten title game rematch against Ohio State still very much on the board.Subscribe to the Back Home Network for more CrimsonCast coverage of Indiana football, IU athletics, Curt Cignetti, the Hoosiers, Big Ten football, and the 2026 college football season.

Galen Clavio and Chris Williams return for Part 2 of CrimsonCast's deep dive into Indiana football history, picking up after the 1967 Rose Bowl season and carrying the story all the way through the modern Curt Cignetti era.The conversation starts with the aftermath of Indiana's Rose Bowl appearance. The 1968 season had optimism, a national ranking, and real expectations, but the Hoosiers could not quite recreate the magic of 1967. From there, Galen and Chris move into the Lee Corso years, including the showmanship, the Holiday Bowl breakthrough, the famous double-decker bus entrance, and the strange question of why even IU's best moments so often failed to become sustained momentum.The heart of the episode is the Bill Mallory era, still one of the most important periods in the history of IU football. They discuss the flying Indiana logo, Mallory's credibility, the 1987 team that came close to a Rose Bowl, the Peach Bowl, Anthony Thompson's Heisman disappointment, Vaughn Dunbar, Trent Green, and the gradual decline that followed the early 1990s.From there, the episode moves through some of the hardest modern stretches of Indiana football: Cam Cameron, the black-uniform experiment, Antwaan Randle El, Gerry DiNardo, collapsing attendance, administrative uncertainty, and the feeling that Memorial Stadium had become a ghost town. Galen and Chris then revisit the emotional hope of Terry Hoeppner, the Play 13 season, James Hardy, and the 2007 bowl breakthrough before moving into Bill Lynch, Kevin Wilson, and the facility investments that started to modernize the program.The final third connects the dots from Fred Glass to Tom Allen to Cignetti. Wilson helped make Indiana more respectable, Allen delivered the 2019 breakthrough and the strange 2020 peak, but the collapse that followed made the program feel stuck again. That is what makes the Cignetti era so historically absurd: within less than three years, Indiana went from a moribund Big Ten program to an 11-win team, then to a 16-0 national champion, and then to a preseason top-10 program that some national voices still think is underrated.The closing message is simple: longtime IU football fans should not let this become normal. The history covered in this two-part series shows just how rare this moment is — not just for Indiana, but for college football as a whole.

Indiana football is eight days away, but IU athletics is already rolling. The Bison Briefing checks in on Indiana men's soccer, IU volleyball, fall camp questions, eligibility uncertainty, and the final countdown to the Hoosiers' 2026 football opener.Galen Clavio opens with the energy around the Back Home Network heading into football season, including a clip from Scott Dolson on Indiana's national championship run and what it felt like seeing IU fans flood the Rose Bowl. From there, the show turns to Indiana men's soccer, which moved to 3-0 after a dominant but tense 1-0 win over Butler, with Collins Oduro and Stephane Njike making their season debuts.The episode also previews IU volleyball's season opener against Creighton, revisits the ongoing eligibility questions around Stephen Daley, Kellen Wyatt, Avry Tatum, and Sam Alexis, and looks at key football notes from fall camp, including Tyler Morris at punt returner and the defensive backfield battle involving A.J. Harris, Ryland Gandy, and Jamari Sharpe. Plus: IU-Ohio State rivalry-name ideas, upcoming CrimsonCast programming, the C-Three live show, and a few Bloomington restaurant recommendations.Subscribe to the Back Home Network for more Bison Briefing, CrimsonCast, Indiana football, IU soccer, IU volleyball, Curt Cignetti, and Hoosiers coverage all season long.

College football is back, and Scott and James are finishing up the CrimsonCASH Big Ten season win total preview with Part 2. There's plenty of value on the board — and James isn't backing down from a huge prediction for the defending champs: Indiana goes 12-0.The guys work through the remaining Big Ten win totals, breaking down schedules, potential trap games and where the best over/under bets might be hiding.

Indiana football is almost back, and CrimsonCast digs into the latest IU eligibility chaos, the growing Charlie Becker star turn, and why Curt Cignetti has somehow become one of the most memeable coaches in college football.Grace Ybarra and Galen Clavio open with move-in week, birthday technical difficulties, Homefield gear, and the return of football before turning to the latest legal uncertainty around Kellan Wyatt, Stephen Daley, Sam Alexis, and the NCAA's ongoing fight over Class of 2022 eligibility. They also talk through how difficult the issue is to explain, why SEC responses around LSU and Lane Kiffin add another layer of confusion, and why players may be stuck in limbo even after enrolling.The back half of the episode moves into IU fan culture and the new football reality: getting fans into Memorial Stadium earlier, possible game-day traditions, names for the Indiana-Ohio State matchup, local NIL food deals, Charlie Becker's rise, the Becker Double Decker, Carter Smith's Janko's order, Curt Cignetti's State Farm commercial, national expectations for Indiana as defending champions, and the debut of a new segment: CrimsonCast Dog of the Week.Subscribe to the Back Home Network for more CrimsonCast coverage of Indiana football, IU athletics, Curt Cignetti, the Hoosiers, Big Ten football, and the 2026 college football season.

Galen Clavio launches the newly dubbed Bison Briefing on CrimsonCast with a live afternoon episode covering two major Indiana sports topics: the continuing NCAA eligibility mess and the release of Indiana basketball's non-conference schedule.Ryan Phillips joins Galen to break down the latest eligibility confusion involving Class of 2022 athletes, professional opportunities, and whether players who spent time around NFL teams should be able to return to college rosters. They discuss the SEC's statement, the Big Ten's proposed rule, the legal uncertainty around the Wisne case, and what all of this could mean for Stephen Daley and Kellan Wyatt as Indiana football gets closer to the season.The conversation also gets into the bigger structural problem: college sports keeps trying to operate without a stable, collectively bargained system. Galen and Ryan talk through why the NCAA's current rulemaking keeps leading to lawsuits, why basketball complicates the definition of “professional,” and why the next few weeks could remain messy for athletes trying to decide whether to enroll, practice, sue, or move on.The second half shifts to Indiana men's basketball, where the newly released non-conference schedule gives Darren DeVries and the Hoosiers a stronger slate than fans have seen in recent years. The schedule includes Syracuse, Kentucky, Arkansas, Missouri, UCF, Bellarmine, Fairleigh Dickinson, Bowling Green, and more.Galen and Ryan like the schedule from a basketball perspective: more name brands, more résumé opportunities, and a better mix of tests and tune-ups. But they also dig into the season-ticket holder issue, because many of the best games are away from Assembly Hall or on neutral floors. That leads to a larger conversation about IU basketball's atmosphere, rebuilding fan trust, and why winning is the only real way to make Assembly Hall feel like Assembly Hall again.

Indiana football is entering a completely new reality: every home game at Memorial Stadium is sold out, ticket prices are up, expectations are rising, and the Hoosiers' fan experience has to evolve with the program.Galen Clavio and Scott Caulfield open CrimsonCast's 18th season of IU football coverage by looking back at how long the show has been covering the Hoosiers — from the Bill Lynch, Kevin Wilson, and Tom Allen eras to the national championship standard now set under Curt Cignetti. The conversation turns quickly to what a sold-out Memorial Stadium means for fans, especially with a full September home slate, a massive Ohio State game, and major demand for matchups like USC, Northwestern, and the Old Oaken Bucket.The main discussion focuses on the new Indiana football gameday: getting into the stadium earlier, changing tailgate routines, making concessions and bathrooms work with larger crowds, building traditions like Hoosier the Bison, towels, “Hurts So Good,” and Hoosiers in the NFL segments, and figuring out how Memorial Stadium can become a real home-field advantage. Galen and Scott also debate stadium renovation priorities, including the press box, premium seating, field suites, concourses, bathrooms, sound, lights, and whether a Lambeau-style suite model could make sense in Bloomington.The episode closes with a broader look at why football success matters to Indiana University beyond wins and losses — as branding, marketing, admissions energy, alumni connection, and long-term institutional strategy. The message: IU football is not just having a moment. The whole university now has to decide how seriously it wants to build around it.Subscribe to the Back Home Network for more CrimsonCast coverage of Indiana football, IU athletics, Curt Cignetti, the Hoosiers, Big Ten football, and the 2026 college football season.

Indiana football's eligibility picture shifted again after the Tenth Circuit stayed the Wisne v. NCAA injunction, and CrimsonCast LIVE breaks down what it means for Stephen Daley, Kellen Wyatt, Sam Alexis, Avery Tatum, and the broader Class of 2022 eligibility fight.Galen Clavio explains why Daley and Wyatt are currently allowed to practice but not play, why Sam Alexis remains in a different legal category through a Tennessee state-court case, and why the NCAA's handling of the “five-for-five” eligibility rule has created so much confusion for athletes, schools, and fans. The episode also looks at possible next steps, including whether Daley and Wyatt could pursue separate legal action and how quickly anything would need to happen before the season.The second half turns to the changing economics of college sports, NIL and revenue-share roster building, the need for eventual collective bargaining, and a major milestone for Indiana football: Memorial Stadium selling out for the full season. Galen reflects on how far IU football attendance has come, which games could be hardest to get into, and why the home-field atmosphere may matter more than ever for Curt Cignetti's Hoosiers.Subscribe to CrimsonCast for coverage of Indiana football, IU athletics, Curt Cignetti, the Hoosiers, Big Ten football, and the 2026 college football season.

Indiana football's offensive line has gone from a long-running concern to one of the biggest strengths of Curt Cignetti's program — and it may be the foundation of another championship-level Hoosiers offense in 2026.Galen Clavio continues the CrimsonCast positional preview series with a full breakdown of Indiana's offensive line, led by Carter Smith, Drew Evans, Bray Lynch, Adedamola Ajani, and transfer addition Joe Brunner. The episode looks at why Bob Bostad's group has become so important to IU's offensive identity, how the line helps the Hoosiers stay ahead of schedule, and why both run blocking and pass protection will shape how quickly Josh Hoover settles into the offense.The second half digs into career snaps, positional versatility, depth concerns, Pro Football Focus grades, pressure numbers, penalties, pass-blocking efficiency, and the challenge of replacing key contributors like Pat Coogan and Kahlil Benson. The takeaway: Indiana has the experience, talent, and coaching to make the offensive line a major 2026 advantage — but depth and health will matter if the Hoosiers are going to make another long postseason run.Subscribe to the Back Home Network for more CrimsonCast coverage of Indiana football, IU athletics, Curt Cignetti, the Hoosiers, Big Ten football, and the 2026 college football season.

Indiana men's soccer opens a new season at Bill Armstrong Stadium, and Todd Yeagley joins CrimsonCast to preview the Hoosiers, their loaded transfer class, and a massive opener against Notre Dame.Galen Clavio talks with Yeagley about the energy around soccer after the World Cup in the United States, how American soccer culture has changed since 1994, and why that momentum can help college soccer as IU begins its season. From there, they revisit last year's frustrating NCAA Tournament exit, where Indiana played well but paid for defensive mistakes and a few soft goals at the wrong time.The main preview focuses on roster construction in the modern college soccer era, including how the transfer portal has changed the way Indiana builds a team. Yeagley breaks down returning players, new portal additions, the attack, the goalkeeper competition, freshman contributors, and why this year's group may be more balanced after losing key midfield pieces. The episode closes with a look at the Notre Dame opener, why the series feels like a true season kickoff, and why students and IU fans should pack Armstrong Stadium.Subscribe to the Back Home Network for more CrimsonCast coverage of Indiana men's soccer, IU athletics, Todd Yeagley, the Hoosiers, and the 2026 college soccer season.

CrimsonCast / BHN continues its 2026 positional preview series with a deep dive into the Hoosiers' wide receivers and tight ends — two groups that will help determine how quickly Josh Hoover settles into Curt Cignetti and Mike Shanahan's offense.Galen Clavio breaks down what Indiana lost from last year's passing game, including Elijah Sarratt, Omar Cooper Jr., E.J. Williams, and Riley Nowakowski, then looks at how the 2026 group could be rebuilt around Charlie Becker, Nick Marsh, Shazz Preston, and Tyler Morris. The episode focuses heavily on efficiency, alignment, drop rate, average depth of target, slot usage, contested catches, and why Indiana's passing game works best when the run game keeps the offense ahead of schedule.The second half shifts to tight end, where Indiana has a fascinating but unproven room featuring Blake Thiry, Andrew Barker, Brock Schott, Trevor Gibbs, PJ MacFarlane, and others. Galen discusses who might replace Nowakowski's do-everything role, who could emerge as a blocker, who may be the best receiving option, and why the first month of the season will reveal how much trust the staff has in this group.Check out our IU running back room preview podcast here.Check out our preview of the quarterbacks (well, really just Josh Hoover) here. Subscribe to the Back Home Network for more CrimsonCast coverage of Indiana football, IU athletics, Curt Cignetti, the Hoosiers, Big Ten football, and the 2026 college football season.

Indiana football is getting closer, Memorial Stadium questions are getting louder, and CrimsonCast LIVE breaks down what realistic upgrades could look like for IU's gameday future.Galen Clavio goes live to discuss the latest from IU football fall camp, the Big Ten Network visit to Bloomington, and a new local NIL deal pairing Carter Smith with Janko's Little Zagreb. Then the show turns to the big listener question: what should Indiana actually do with Memorial Stadium? Galen walks through why a brand-new stadium is unlikely, what renovation options make more sense, and how costs for premium seating, press box upgrades, concourses, bathrooms, lighting, sound, video boards, and Wi-Fi can quickly turn a stadium project into a massive capital campaign.The episode closes with reaction to Dusty May's comments about leaving college basketball for the Dallas Mavericks, what those comments say about the transfer portal and NIL era, and why coaches may increasingly rethink life in college sports. Plus: a quick check-in on Fernando Mendoza after a promising night with the Raiders.Subscribe to the Back Home Network for more CrimsonCast coverage of Indiana football, IU athletics, Curt Cignetti, the Hoosiers, Big Ten football, and the 2026 college football season.RSVP for the Posh Hotel show on Tuesday!Check out the 2026 Homefield Game Day Collection

College football is almost back, and so is CrimsonCASH!

Indiana football didn't appear out of nowhere. CrimsonCast goes deep into the long, strange, fascinating history of IU football, from its 1880s origins to the Old Oaken Bucket, the 1945 Big Ten champions, the Phil Dickens sanctions, and the 1967 Rose Bowl team.Galen Clavio is joined by Chris Williams of IU Artifacts for a historical dive into how Indiana football developed, why the program spent decades fighting structural disadvantages, and why today's Hoosier fan base has deeper roots than outsiders realize. They trace the early campus fields, the move to Jordan Field and Memorial Stadium, Indiana's place in the early Big Ten hierarchy, the creation of the Old Oaken Bucket, and the importance of figures like Zora Clevenger, Bo McMillin, George Taliaferro, and John Pont.The second half looks at the rise and collapse after the 1945 season, the difficult postwar years, the controversy around Phil Dickens, the impact of NCAA and Big Ten sanctions across IU athletics, and how the 1967 Hoosiers became Indiana's first Rose Bowl team. It's a reminder that Indiana football history is far richer, weirder, and more important than the national narrative usually allows.Subscribe to the Back Home Network for more CrimsonCast coverage of Indiana football, IU athletics, Curt Cignetti, the Hoosiers, Big Ten football, and the 2026 college football season.

Indiana football is entering a new era, and CrimsonCast digs into what that means for IU football fans, Memorial Stadium traditions, the Ohio State matchup, and the growing number of Hoosiers in the NFL.Grace Ybarra and Galen Clavio open with Indiana weather, fall camp energy, Homefield drops, and a few concert detours before returning to listener questions from the CrimsonCast community. They revisit potential names for the emerging Indiana-Ohio State football series, including the 36-Star Showdown, Harrison-Grant ideas, Old Guard vs. New Blood, and other rivalry-branding possibilities.From there, the show moves into the evolving Indiana football gameday experience: tailgate timing, getting fans into Memorial Stadium earlier, whether air horns or alerts could help, why “Hurts So Good” works, how IU can better celebrate Hoosiers in the NFL, and what traditions could make Indiana's home-field atmosphere more distinctive. The episode also covers which former IU players to track on Sundays, how fans should think about drafting Hoosiers in fantasy football, and why the fan experience has to improve through both athletic department investment and fan buy-in.Subscribe to the Back Home Network for more CrimsonCast coverage of Indiana football, IU athletics, Curt Cignetti, the Hoosiers, Big Ten football, and the 2026 college football season.

Indiana football is suddenly a premium gameday product, and CrimsonCast After Dark looks at what that means for IU football fans, Memorial Stadium, tailgating, parking, road trips, and the Hoosiers' biggest 2026 challenges.Galen Clavio answers listener questions on how the gameday experience may change now that Curt Cignetti's program is coming off a national championship, why fans should expect more traffic, more demand, higher prices, and a more all-day football atmosphere in Bloomington. He also discusses possible Memorial Stadium renovations, including why a new stadium is unlikely but press box and premium-seat upgrades may be on the table.The show also covers Big Ten fall camp roster uncertainty, Indiana's road-trip slate, bathroom logistics at Memorial Stadium, tailgate plans, getting into the stadium earlier, and whether Michigan or Washington is the tougher road game. Plus: a quick riff on Charlie Becker, Nick Marsh, Josh Hoover's receiver options, and elite food-and-football combinations.Subscribe to the Back Home Network for more CrimsonCast coverage of Indiana football, IU athletics, Curt Cignetti, the Hoosiers, Big Ten football, and the 2026 college football season.

Indiana football fall camp is rolling, and CrimsonCast digs into some listener questions around Curt Cignetti's Hoosiers: the tight end room, replacing D'Angelo Ponds, defensive adjustments, and why Josh Hoover may not need to be a copy of Fernando Mendoza.Galen Clavio answers questions on how the TE room is shaping up, Brock Schott's potential emergence, Andrew Barker, Blake Thiry, and what Indiana needs from the tight end position in this offense. He also breaks down why the Ponds question may be the biggest on the roster, how Bryant Haines could adapt the defense, and why IU's elite defensive front may buy the secondary time early in the season.The episode also touches on Cignetti's lingering Notre Dame memory, the possibility of an Indiana-Notre Dame playoff rematch, ESPN and SEC resistance to a 24-team College Football Playoff, Josh Pate's regular-season argument, and why Indiana fans should be morally obligated to support giving more programs a legitimate shot.Subscribe to the Back Home Network for more CrimsonCast coverage of Indiana football, IU athletics, Curt Cignetti, the Hoosiers, Big Ten football, and the 2026 college football season.CrimsonCast LIVE at POSH Hotel Bloomington RSVP LinkVolleyball Golf Outing Information!

Indiana football gets another important eligibility update as Stephen Daley and Kellan Wyatt remain on track to help the Hoosiers' defense, while the IU-Notre Dame scheduling debate continues to stir up national college football conversation.Galen Clavio jumps on CrimsonCast for a quick late-night episode covering the latest court ruling connected to fifth-year eligibility, what it means for Indiana athletes, and why Sam Alexis is still in a separate legal category. He also explains why the canceled Indiana-Notre Dame football series is more complicated than the “IU ducked Notre Dame” version of the story, especially with the Big Ten, USC, CFP incentives, and Notre Dame's independent scheduling position all in the background.The episode closes with fall camp notes from Curt Cignetti, including tight end depth, practice availability, how injuries can create more positional flexibility, and why Kellan Wyatt may have an interesting role in Bryant Haines' defensive packages against 12 personnel.Subscribe to the Back Home Network for more CrimsonCast coverage of Indiana football, IU athletics, Curt Cignetti, the Hoosiers, Big Ten football, and the 2026 college football season.

Galen sits down with IU head volleyball coach Steve Aird to talk about his feelings after the first week of practice, his thoughts on IU Volleyball getting its first-ever preseason ranking, and a preview of this week's IU Volleyball Golf Outing at the Pfau Course in Bloomington and this Friday's scrimmage versus Notre Dame.Volleyball Golf Outing information can be found hereBuy Tickets for the scrimmage vs Notre Dame here

Indiana football is through its first week of fall camp, and CrimsonCast breaks down the biggest questions around the Hoosiers as Curt Cignetti's defending national champions move closer to the 2026 season.Galen Clavio and Scott Caulfield discuss the new reality of following IU football like a national power, the wave of Hoosiers making noise in NFL camps, and the massive defensive-line boost created by Stephen Daley and Kellan Wyatt returning to Indiana. They also dig into what fans should watch for in the first four games, how to evaluate Josh Hoover early in the season, whether Indiana can meet playoff-level expectations, and why the Hoosiers' defense may again be one of the best units in college football.The show closes with reaction to Indiana's Coaches Poll ranking, the possibility of Holden Staes returning, points/touchdowns allowed projections for Bryant Haines' defense, and the national roasting of Purdue's AD comments about IU.Subscribe to the Back Home Network for more CrimsonCast coverage of Indiana football, IU athletics, Curt Cignetti, the Hoosiers, Big Ten football, and the 2026 college football season.

Kellan Wyatt is back with Indiana football, strengthening an already loaded Hoosiers defensive front alongside Stephen Daley. Galen Clavio explains the eligibility ruling, what Wyatt's return means for IU, and why this defensive line could be among college football's best.Plus, Galen shares observations from Indiana fall camp, including Josh Hoover's early work with the receivers, offensive-line depth, Curt Cignetti's priorities, and comments from Rolijah Hardy and Charlie Becker. The episode closes with a response to new Purdue athletic director Tommy McClelland's championship jab at IU.Subscribe and follow CrimsonCast for smart, fan-focused Indiana Hoosiers football coverage throughout fall camp and the 2026 season.

Indiana football is opening fall camp as the defending national champion, and CrimsonCast asks the question every IU fan is now wrestling with: what should expectations actually be for the Hoosiers in 2026?Grace Ybarra and Galen Clavio talk through the surreal new reality of Indiana football under Curt Cignetti, including why “playoff or bust” may be understandable but still dangerous, how Hoosier fans can avoid becoming entitled, and what success should look like after a Big Ten title and national championship. They also dig into the student ticket controversy, why IU football demand suddenly looks more like a major football school, and how students, alumni, and tailgaters may need to change their Memorial Stadium habits now that every game matters.The episode closes with a listener prompt: what should Indiana vs. Ohio State be called if this matchup becomes a recurring Big Ten spotlight game? Grace and Galen brainstorm crimson vs. scarlet angles, bison vs. Buckeyes, I-70, the National Road, and why the audience may have a better idea than they do.Subscribe to the Back Home Network for more CrimsonCast coverage of Indiana football, IU athletics, Curt Cignetti, the Hoosiers, Big Ten football, and the 2026 college football season.

Galen Clavio, Scott Caulfield, and Ryan Phillips jump on CrimsonCast for a quick-hit conversation about the end of Indiana's future football series with Notre Dame and the return of USC-Notre Dame.The episode looks at why the story became such a national talking point, why Indiana football has become a convenient target for broader frustrations about college football scheduling, and whether the criticism lines up with what the College Football Playoff actually rewards. Galen and Scott discuss why the Hoosiers' Big Ten schedule already gives them plenty of major games, while Ryan adds perspective on the USC side of the Notre Dame rivalry and why that series came back together.They also get into Curt Cignetti's scheduling philosophy, the weirdness of games being booked almost a decade in advance, Notre Dame's independence, Big Ten and SEC leverage, and why Indiana's status as defending national champion changes the conversation. The old version of IU needed marquee non-conference games for attention. This version can make other programs come to Bloomington.

Galen Clavio jumps on CrimsonCast for a shorter solo episode as Indiana football gets ready to open fall camp in Bloomington.The first half focuses on the preseason USA Today Coaches Poll, where defending national champion Indiana lands at No. 6 despite receiving the second-most first-place votes in the country. Galen talks through why the coaches poll should be treated carefully, why the result still says something about IU's national perception, and how the lingering skepticism around the Hoosiers may fit perfectly into Curt Cignetti's approach.Then the episode turns to breaking IU football news: Stephen Daley is returning to Indiana. Galen explains why Daley's comeback matters, how his 2025 breakout changed the Hoosiers' defense, and why adding him back into a front that already includes Tyrique Tucker, Mario Landino, Tobi Osunsanmi, Chiddi Obiazor, Josh Burnham, Joe Hjelle, and Daniel Ndukwe could give Indiana one of the deepest defensive fronts in the country.The final segment shifts away from Bloomington and into soccer, with Galen reacting to Mauricio Pochettino returning with the USMNT for the next World Cup cycle. He discusses why continuity matters, what Pochettino can do with a full four-year runway, and why the U.S. men's national team still needs a clearer identity to move beyond its old ceiling.

Grace Ybarra and Galen Clavio are back on CrimsonCast to recap Big Ten Football Media Days, Galen's trip through Chicago and Las Vegas, and the increasingly strange world of college football media season.The episode starts with travel chaos, old minor-league hockey memories, and the surreal overlap of Big Ten Media Days and Lollapalooza in downtown Chicago. That leads naturally into the important question: which Big Ten coaches would fit best — or worst — at a Lolla VIP tent?From there, Grace and Galen dig into the actual football conversation. Curt Cignetti remains the central figure, from his SEC “hype machine” comments to the way he handles media attention without sounding scripted. They talk about why Cignetti has become such a compelling quote machine, how his rise compares to other coaches, and why his presence gives Indiana a unique voice in the Big Ten vs. SEC argument.The second half focuses heavily on Indiana football: the Hoosiers' player representatives at Media Days, the transition from the JMU-era culture carriers to IU-developed leaders, lazy national narratives about the roster, and the skepticism around Josh Hoover replacing Fernando Mendoza. Grace and Galen also discuss Big Ten unity, conference depth, Ohio State and Michigan rivalry comments, Ryan Day's media energy, Purdue expectations, Starbucks orders, and why football season suddenly feels very close.

They saved the best for last at Big Ten Football Media Days, as Indiana's head coach Curt Cignetti and player representatives Carter Smith, Isaiah Jones, and Tyrique Tucker spoke to the assembled media on Thursday. Galen Clavio was live on the scene and gives some reflections on Curt Cignetti's statements, including his headline-grabbing SEC comments, the preparation process for the 2026 season, and some notes on the depth chart at the quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and offensive line positions.

CrimsonCast and The Big Red Carpet go live from Joe's on Weed Street in Chicago for a full Indiana football season-preview conversation with Galen Clavio and Rhett Lewis.The show looks back at the Hoosiers' stunning rise from long-suffering program to Big Ten and national champion, then turns toward what comes next for Curt Cignetti and the 2026 Indiana football roster. Galen and Rhett discuss why this team may be deeper than last year's title team, what Josh Hoover brings at quarterback, how the offensive line and receiver room stack up, why the defensive front could be special, and what questions remain in the secondary.The live Q&A also covers Bryant Haines, Mike Shanahan, staff continuity, transfer portal strategy, high school recruiting, five-star talent, quarterback development, Tino Sunseri, and how Indiana can keep building while defending a championship standard.Subscribe to the Back Home Network for more CrimsonCast coverage of Indiana football, IU athletics, Big Ten football, Curt Cignetti, the Hoosiers, and the 2026 college football season.

Galen Clavio checks in from Big Ten Football Media Days in Chicago with a CrimsonCast update on the biggest Day 1 storylines.The episode starts with Tony Petitti's comments on the future of college football, including the Protect College Sports Act, NIL transparency, revenue sharing, the Big Ten's working relationship with the SEC, and the legal uncertainty still surrounding the sport. Galen also talks through why a 24-team playoff would likely force major changes to the calendar, including the possible end of conference championship games.The second half focuses on preseason Big Ten media polls and Indiana's place in the national conversation. Ohio State and Oregon are getting the most media love, but Galen explains why he voted Indiana football No. 1: the Hoosiers' offensive line, roster depth, skill talent, defensive front, coaching continuity, Josh Hoover's upside, and a schedule that may give IU a real path to defending its Big Ten and national titles.

Galen Clavio goes live on CrimsonCast for a wide-ranging Sunday show as Indiana football gets closer to Big Ten Media Days and the start of the 2026 season.The show opens with updates on the CrimsonCast live show at Joe's on Weed Street, new merch, and what's coming on the Back Home Network. Galen then reflects on the World Cup in the United States, the viral Elsa fan story, the positive international reaction to American host cities, and whether Mauricio Pochettino should remain the USMNT coach for the next cycle.The second half is built around IU football questions from the audience. Galen discusses what Curt Cignetti, Bryant Haines, and Mike Shanahan do differently, how Indiana keeps finding and developing overlooked talent, whether Josh Hoover can fit as the Hoosiers' new quarterback, and whether IU has the on-field leadership to defend a Big Ten and national title. There's also discussion of D'Angelo Ponds, AJ Harris, the offensive line, remaining JMU-era players, stadium renovation questions, and why ESPN's FPI still struggles to properly evaluate Indiana in the transfer-portal era.The episode closes with early thoughts on EA Sports College Football 27, including coach mode, Dynasty, NIL logic, transfer-portal issues, roster ratings, Ohio State being overpowered, and what still needs to be patched before the season fully arrives.Book a table for the event at Joe's on Weed St! Buy some CrimsonCast Merch!

Before Indiana football's current rise, Terry Hoeppner gave Hoosier fans something the program desperately needed: hope.On this episode of The Crimson Era, Coach Tonsoni and Scott Caulfield look back at Hoeppner's brief but deeply meaningful tenure at Indiana. They revisit the state of the program when he arrived, the traditions and energy he brought to Bloomington, and the progress IU was beginning to make before his life and coaching career were tragically cut short.The discussion also explores the biggest unanswered question from that era: What could Indiana football have become if Hoeppner had been able to coach another five, six or seven seasons?Episode highlights:• The state of Indiana football when Terry Hoeppner arrived• Why IU fans immediately connected with his personality and vision• The origins of The Rock, The Walk and the north end zone project• Whether the 2006 Hoosiers could have reached a bowl game• How the 2007 team might have performed under Hoeppner• The impact of James Hardy, Tracy Porter and a talented IU roster• Whether Hoeppner could have established Indiana as a consistent Big Ten bowl team• The university instability that may have limited the program's ceiling• How Hoeppner's foundation connects to Kevin Wilson, Tom Allen and Curt Cignetti• Why his legacy means far more than his final win-loss recordWas Terry Hoeppner the coach who truly began the modern era of Indiana football? Let us know what you remember about his time in Bloomington and what you believe IU could have accomplished with him leading the program.Subscribe for more Indiana football history, Hoosier debates and “what if” conversations from The Crimson Era on the Back Home Network.

Galen Clavio and Scott Caulfield are back for a founders edition of CrimsonCast, with Indiana football recruiting at the center of the conversation.The main topic is Monshun Sales committing to Indiana football, and why the five-star wide receiver choosing the Hoosiers feels historically different. Galen and Scott discuss how Curt Cignetti has changed IU's recruiting reality, why Sales fits the staff's personality and development profile, and how Indiana's national championship momentum is turning into real traction with high-end talent.They also dig into Josh Hoover's interception outlook, how Indiana may bring him along inside the offense, and whether Cignetti is likely to pursue five-star quarterbacks or running backs in the same way he pursued Sales. The conversation also gets into NIL money, why those numbers are hard to know with certainty, and how Indiana appears to be spending strategically rather than chasing recruiting trophies.The final stretch moves to IU basketball, where Galen and Scott talk through cautious optimism around the new roster, the Peru trip, and why fans are still in “show me” mode. They close with World Cup and soccer talk, including Erling Haaland, Manchester City, Jordan Pickford, and what might keep casual fans watching after the tournament ends.Buy "The New Chapter" by Alex Paul and Kal Graybill: https://www.alexpaulphoto.com/store-1/indiana-football-bookBook a table for the event at Joe's on Weed St! https://tinyurl.com/yrvx9vunBuy some CrimsonCast Merch! https://tinyurl.com/ppnp9sxu

Galen Clavio and Trent McGee jump on CrimsonCast for an emergency recruiting episode after Lukas Prock, a 2028 four-star quarterback from New Jersey, commits to Indiana football.The conversation looks at why Prock's commitment feels like another major marker in the Curt Cignetti era. Galen and Trent discuss Prock's arm talent, sophomore production, top-five recruitment, and why Indiana beating out programs like Notre Dame, Michigan, Florida, and Ohio State matters even this early in the process. They also connect the commitment to the recent Monshun Sales news and the growing sense that IU's national championship momentum is finally showing up in high-level recruiting.The episode also gets into Mike Shanahan, Tino Sunseri, quarterback development, the differences between transfer quarterbacks and long-term high school recruits, and what it would mean if Indiana can start building future recruiting classes around elite quarterbacks. Plus: why all of this still feels strange, exciting, and almost unbelievable for longtime Hoosier football fans.

Grace Ybarra and Galen Clavio are back on CrimsonCast for a wide-ranging summer conversation that starts with Indiana football and ends somewhere near Erling Haaland, cowboy boots, and barbecue.They open with the six-month anniversary of Indiana football's national championship, the new IU football photo book, and how strange it still feels for Hoosier fans to live in this new reality. The biggest topic is Monshun Sales, the five-star Lawrence North wide receiver who committed to Indiana and gave Curt Cignetti another massive recruiting win. Grace and Galen discuss why Sales choosing IU feels different, what it means for Indianapolis-area recruiting, and why the program's culture and relationship-building continue to matter.From there, the show moves through ESPN banter, SEC Media Days complaining, Big Ten Media Days in Chicago, the upcoming live show at Joe's on Weed Street, Hoosiers in baseball, Kyle Schwarber, Jordan Walker, Chip Kelly's instantly memeable Northwestern construction look, and the beautiful absurdity of Chicago traffic.The final section turns to the World Cup: the tournament's massive U.S. impact, the comedown after six weeks of daily soccer, MLS trying to capture the momentum, the halftime show, grass vs. turf in NFL stadiums, future World Cups, and why Erling Haaland may have been the tournament's biggest personality winner.Book a table for the event at Joe's on Weed St! Buy some CrimsonCast Merch!

Indiana football is heading into Big Ten Media Days as the defending national champion, and CrimsonCast is joined by Rhett Lewis to preview what could be one of the most fascinating weeks of the Hoosiers' offseason.Galen Clavio and Rhett discuss the upcoming CrimsonCast/Big Red Carpet live show at Joe's on Weed Street in Chicago, Rhett's new Big Ten Network role, and what to expect when Curt Cignetti, Carter Smith, Tyrique Tucker, and Isaiah Jones represent IU at Big Ten Football Media Days. They also dig into the questions surrounding Indiana's culture transfer, leadership, offensive line, defensive identity, and how the Hoosiers handle being the target after winning the Big Ten and national title.The conversation also expands to the wider Big Ten and national college football landscape: Ohio State, Oregon, UCLA, Michigan State, Minnesota, Washington, USC, Penn State, SEC Media Days, playoff politics, and how Cignetti's success at Indiana may already be changing the way programs think about coaching hires and rebuilds.Subscribe to the Back Home Network for more CrimsonCast coverage of Indiana, the Hoosiers, IU football, IU basketball, and the 2026 college football season.Book a table for the event at Joe's on Weed St! Buy some CrimsonCast Merch!

Indiana basketball is finally back on the floor, and CrimsonCast breaks down what we've learned from the Hoosiers' exhibition game and early action in Peru under Darian DeVries.Galen Clavio is joined by Andrew Garrison to talk through early impressions of the new-look IU basketball roster, including Markus Burton running the offense, Aiden Sherrell flashing major frontcourt versatility, and how the Hoosiers' balance could look different from last season. They also get into Samet Yigitoglu's status, the promise of Prince-Alexander Moody, Vaughn Karvala, and Trevor Manhertz, the importance of freshman retention, and why Trent Sisley's physical development could matter for Indiana's ceiling.Subscribe to the Back Home Network for more CrimsonCast coverage of Indiana, the Hoosiers, IU basketball, IU football, and the 2026 season.Check out the CrimsonCast Merch Shop!Read the latest from Andrew Garrison on the CrimsonCast Substack

Zach Osterman and Mike Niziolek join Galen Clavio on CrimsonCast to talk about their new Indiana football book, Unthinkable to Unstoppable (pre-order link).The conversation digs into why the story of Curt Cignetti and IU football demanded a book, how the project came together after the Hoosiers' historic breakthrough, and what Zach and Mike learned from reporting inside the program. They discuss the meaning of the Ohio State win, the national championship run, the player perspectives that shaped the book, and the way Indiana's fan base became a central character in the story.They also get into Cignetti's process, his roster-building approach, how he manages players, the role of NIL and revenue sharing, the Purdue rivalry, and why this Indiana team may be remembered less as “the next version” of anything and more as the team that proved something everyone thought was impossible.

Indiana football has a fascinating running back room heading into 2026, and CrimsonCast breaks down how Turbo Richard, Khobie Martin, and Lee Beebe Jr. could power the Hoosiers' offense.Galen Clavio looks at the numbers, roles, and skill sets for IU's top three backs, comparing them to what Indiana got from Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black over the last two seasons. The episode digs into Turbo Richard's production at Boston College, Lee Beebe Jr.'s early flashes before injury, Khobie Martin's efficiency in limited work, how the Hoosiers may use running backs in the passing game, and why Curt Cignetti and Mike Shanahan's run-first offense could once again be one of the keys to making life easier for Josh Hoover.Subscribe to the Back Home Network for more CrimsonCast coverage of Indiana, the Hoosiers, IU football, IU basketball, and the 2026 football season.

Spain defeats Argentina 1-0 in extra time, and claims the country's second World Cup title. We break down the action and bid a farewell to the 2026 World Cup on this final edition of BHN World Cup Live.

Our final preview episode for the World Cup, as we talk about Spain vs Argentina in Sunday's final. Lionel Messi tries to make history yet again, while Spain attempts to join the club of multiple World Cup winners.

A quick live podcast reacting to the news that Indiana football has secured the services of Lawrence North 5 Star Plus WR Monshun Sales, featuring Galen Clavio and Rhett Lewis from The Big Red Carpet.

Here's the recording of our special primetime episode of BHN World Cup Talk, as we break down the thrilling 2-1 victory for Argentina over England in the second semifinal of the FIFA World Cup.

We review Spain's dominating 2-0 victory over France, which thrilled and shocked analysts and fans across the globe. How surprising was Spain's success in this contest and how does this game rewrite our understanding of France's 2026 World Cup, if at all? Then we turn our attention towards the second semifinal matchup, where England takes on Argentina in Atlanta in one of the most highly anticipated clashes in recent World Cup memory. All of that, plus your questions and comments, on this episode of BHN World Cup.

Galen Clavio joins you for World Cup talk, as we preview the start of the tournament semifinal round. On tap today is a full preview of France vs Spain, as the two European giants clash once again at a key point in an international tournament. Plus some notes and observations from other aspects of the World Cup, and your questions.

A full recap show today as we look back on two incredible quarterfinal games. that gave us a combined 60 extra minutes of soccer. We talk about England overcoming Norway 2 - 1, Jude Bellingham's incredible performance, and the calls that all seemed to go in England's favor. We then discuss Argentina's 3 - 1 win over Switzerland, and what ended up being yet another controversial VAR call.

World Cup Live talk is back! We dive into yesterday's game between Spain and Belgium, and whether it was a surprise game or not. We also preview today's doubleheader action, as Norway tries to upset England and Argentina attempts to not trip up on Switzerland.

The World Cup is racing towards a conclusion, with one of the quarterfinals already having been played. On this edition of the show, we talk about that France victory over Morocco, preview Spain vs Belgium, and dive into the recent Christian Pulisic conversation.

The Quarterfinals are set, and the controversies continue for FIFA as World Cup 2026 moves forward. We talk about Argentina's great escape against Egypt and Switzerland's somewhat surprising victory over Colombia. We also talk more about the United States loss to Belgium, another VAR controversy, and provide a preview of the quarterfinals.

The 2026 World Cup gifted us one of the most incredible spectacles in tournament history last night, as 10-man England held on for a 3-2 victory over Mexico in the Azteca. We talk about that one in depth, as well as Norway's victory over Brazil, and preview one of the biggest days in soccer history in the United States.

We are through the first set of Sweet 16 games in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and yesterday's results were as expected, even if the ways we got to those results were not. On today's episode, we recap those games, take your questions, and preview Mexico vs England and Brazil vs Norway, two games that could end up being the most entertaining pairing of R16 contests.