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Indiana football is 2-0 and turns next to Western Kentucky, but this CrimsonCast episode is really about what the Hoosiers have learned so far — and what they still haven't been tested on. Galen Clavio is joined again by Hoosier Network reporters Andrew Garrison and Brooks White to break down the Howard win, Indiana's improving run game and defensive front, Josh Hoover's mobility, injury questions, and what matters against the Hilltoppers.The biggest positive from Howard was Indiana's ability to get the running game back on track. Even without Khobie Martin, the Hoosiers leaned effectively on Turbo Richard and Lee Beebe Jr., while Josh Hoover's passing volume stayed remarkably low. The group discusses how that rushing success opens up the RPO game and gives Indiana a much more flexible offensive foundation heading toward Big Ten play.The defense also took a major step forward. After a quieter opener against North Texas, Indiana produced five sacks and 12 tackles for loss against Howard. The conversation gets into the depth of Bryant Haines' defensive line, the emergence of more contributors, and why this group still has a chance to become the disruptive unit many expected before the season.Injuries remain one of the bigger questions. A.J. Harris, Jamari Sharpe, Nico Radicic, and others have all dealt with issues, raising the question of whether Indiana should prioritize rest or use Western Kentucky as an opportunity to get key players valuable reps before conference play. Galen also asks about Nick Marsh, who did not start against Howard despite eventually playing and scoring.Another major topic is Hoover's mobility. He may not run like Fernando Mendoza, but the Howard game showed that Hoover can escape pressure, move laterally, buy time, and turn negative situations into manageable ones. The bigger unanswered question is what happens when Indiana's pass protection faces a real Big Ten-level front.The show closes with a Western Kentucky preview. The Hilltoppers have struggled badly through the opening weeks, and the matchup looks very different from the tight IU-WKU games of the recent past. The real goal for Indiana may be less about running up the score and more about getting cleaner reps, building chemistry, and preparing for the tougher stretch ahead.Subscribe to the Back Home Network for more CrimsonCast, Indiana football, IU athletics, Big Ten football, and Hoosier Network coverage all season long.
Indiana football turns toward Western Kentucky, and this Bison Briefing covers the Hoosiers' next matchup, new NIL revelations involving former IU athletes, early concerns about the Big Ten, and a huge weekend for Indiana soccer and volleyball.Galen Clavio opens with No. 2 Indiana men's soccer preparing to host defending national champion Washington at Armstrong Stadium after the program's best start since 1997. IU volleyball is also rolling, ranked No. 21 after wins over Cal Poly and Eastern Illinois and continuing to build on last season's Sweet 16 run.The football portion starts with Curt Cignetti's latest media availability and the defensive progress Indiana showed against Howard. Galen looks at how Daniel Ndukwe, Stephen Daley, Kellen Wyatt, Tobi Osunsanmi, Chiddi Obiazor, Tyrique Tucker, and Mario Landino are fitting together up front, while Jamari Sharpe's expected return gives the secondary another important piece heading into Western Kentucky.The Hilltoppers have struggled badly through their opening games, giving Indiana another opportunity to sharpen personnel packages and build chemistry before Big Ten play. The larger question is how quickly IU can get its defensive front and secondary operating with the same kind of cohesion that emerged several weeks into last season.Galen also explains why noon kickoffs continue to dominate major college football television windows, using the recent Ohio State-Texas ratings as an example of why Big Noon remains so valuable to Fox.Then comes one of the most interesting parts of the episode: court testimony revealing NIL compensation involving Sam Alexis, Stephen Daley, and Kellen Wyatt. Galen argues that the numbers complicate the idea that Indiana simply “bought” a championship, and instead reinforce how effectively Curt Cignetti and his personnel staff identified undervalued players in the transfer market.The listener Q&A also covers whether the Big Ten's poor nonconference start could eventually hurt Indiana's College Football Playoff résumé, why Khalil Benson may have slipped through the NFL evaluation process, why IU fans should stop correcting recruits who accidentally say “University of Indiana,” and whether the commitment of German center Felix Kiehlneker changes Indiana's pursuit of five-star Darius Wabbington.Subscribe to the Back Home Network for more CrimsonCast, Bison Briefing, Indiana football, IU athletics, Big Ten football, and college football coverage all season long.
On this episode, Bozich is joined by Zach Osterman to talk about IU football's 2-0 start, non-conference scheduling in college football, College Football Playoff expansion and also to discuss his upcoming book with Mike Niziolek, Unthinkable to Unstoppable: How Curt Cignetti and the Indiana Hoosiers stunned College Football.Preorder Unthinkable to Unstoppable at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Unthinkable-Unstoppable-Cignetti-Hoosiers-Football/dp/B0H4J5N7MK/Support Inside the Hall and Podcast on the Brink with a donation: https://www.insidethehall.com/recommends/donate-to-inside-the-hall/Subscribe to Peacock to watch Indiana men's and women's basketball: https://www.insidethehall.com/recommends/peacock (affiliate link)Subscribe to B1G+ to watch Indiana men's and women's basketball: https://www.insidethehall.com/recommends/big-ten-plus/ (affiliate link)Buy IU basketball tickets at Vivid Seats: https://www.insidethehall.com/recommends/vivid-seats (affiliate link)
Indiana football is back at Memorial Stadium for game two, and the Hoosiers' matchup with Howard is less about proving they can win than proving they can sharpen the standard. In this live CrimsonCast preview, Galen Clavio breaks down the Howard Bison, explains the FBS/FCS divide, and looks at what Curt Cignetti's team needs to show after a 52-16 opener against North Texas.The show starts with the challenge of previewing an FCS opponent. Galen explains how the Football Bowl Subdivision and Football Championship Subdivision differ, why Howard's place in the MEAC matters, and why this is still a useful game for Indiana even if the talent gap should be significant.From there, the preview turns to Howard itself. The Bison were picked low in the MEAC, but their opening results suggest they may be more competitive than that projection. Quarterback Ja'Shawn Scroggins is the key name, giving Howard a legitimate dual-threat component with designed runs, scrambling ability, and enough passing-game activity to test Indiana's defensive structure. The offensive line also has more size than a typical FCS front, including former Minnesota lineman De'Eric Mister.For Indiana, the biggest storyline is the defensive response. Galen wants to see cleaner tackling, better run fits, more pressure up front, and a secondary that continues building chemistry after the North Texas opener. The point is not panic — it is that Bryant Haines' defense has a clear opportunity to correct mistakes before the schedule gets tougher.The episode also digs into Nick Saban's “rat poison” concept and why this is exactly the kind of game where a top-five Indiana team has to avoid complacency. Galen discusses Cignetti's public frustration with the defensive performance, why “stalking complacency” matters, and how the Hoosiers can use Howard week to sharpen habits, build depth, and get younger players real reps.The live Q&A covers special teams, punt return explosiveness, Tyler Cherry as a possible QB3, Grant Wilson reps, the AP poll, Miami vs. Ohio State as future IU concerns, Stephen Daley and Kellen Wyatt, and former Hoosiers making noise in the NFL.Subscribe to the Back Home Network for more CrimsonCast coverage of Indiana football, IU athletics, Curt Cignetti, Big Ten football, and the Hoosiers all season long.
Indiana football is not just winning games — it is changing how people see IU, Bloomington, and the entire Hoosier fan experience. In this CrimsonCast episode, Galen Clavio introduces Kamady Rudd to the Back Home Network family for a wide-ranging conversation about Josh Hoover, the new Indiana football culture, social media buzz, and the growing Bison Mafia movement.Kamady brings a sports broadcasting background, IU roots, and a new role with The Media School, where she is helping lead the broadcast journalism curriculum. She and Galen start with her path from Brown County and Indiana University into television, sports coverage, sideline reporting, and now teaching the next generation of broadcasters.From there, the conversation turns to the Hoosiers. After Indiana's 52-16 win over North Texas and with Howard coming up, Galen and Kamady talk about what still feels surreal about IU football's rise. The fan base is adjusting to a new reality after a Big Ten title and national championship, and there may not be a shortcut to fully understanding what Indiana has become.The biggest on-field image from the opener was Josh Hoover's bloody-face moment. Kamady argues that the image matters because it instantly gives fans and teammates a visual of toughness, leadership, and buy-in. Galen connects that to the larger question of team culture: each season has its own personality, and Indiana has to rebuild leadership after the unique presences of players like Fernando Mendoza, Kurtis Rourke, and Pat Coogan.The second half of the episode moves into the cultural side of IU football's rise. Galen and Kamady discuss influencers showing up in Bloomington, how social media can make IU look fun and exciting to prospective students, and why football success can reshape the university's image in ways traditional media cannot. They also look at the student section, Greek life, tailgating, Bison Mafia, and whether Indiana could develop a more SEC-style football social culture while still keeping its own Big Ten identity.The show closes with the CrimsonCast Dog of the Week contest, and this week's co-winners: Sarah and Maximilian, submitted by Rob and Janet Baller.Subscribe to the Back Home Network for more CrimsonCast coverage of Indiana football, IU athletics, the Hoosiers, Big Ten football, Bloomington culture, and the 2026 college football season.
Indiana football is 1-0, ranked higher than expected, and getting ready for game two against Howard. In this CrimsonCast episode, Galen Clavio is joined by Hoosier Network reporters Andrew Garrison and Brooks White to talk through IU's 52-16 win over North Texas, the Hoosiers' rise in the AP poll, injury concerns, and what to watch Saturday at Memorial Stadium.The conversation starts with Indiana moving from No. 6 to No. 5 after the opener — a small but interesting sign of the program's new national respect. Galen, Andrew, and Brooks discuss why the early AP poll still needs to be taken with a huge grain of salt, how voters treated Oregon after its opener, and why Indiana's brand perception feels different than it used to.From there, the show turns back to the North Texas game. Josh Hoover looked sharp in his first start, throwing four touchdowns on only 16 attempts, while Indiana's short fields and strong return game helped shape the offensive numbers. The crew also digs into Hoover's growing list of options, including Nick Marsh, Charlie Becker, Davion Chandler, and Brock Schott, and why the passing game already looks deeper than expected.The biggest concerns come from the injury report. Khobie Martin is expected to miss time, which puts more pressure on Turbo Richard and Lee Beebe Jr. in the running back room. The cornerback injuries to A.J. Harris and Jamari Sharpe are also worth watching, especially for a secondary already replacing D'Angelo Ponds and still trying to settle into its 2026 identity.The final segment looks ahead to Howard. The matchup may not offer a full scouting test, but it should give Indiana a chance to clean up defensive run fits, evaluate the cornerback depth, get more reps for the defensive tackles, and continue building chemistry in the tight end room. For a defending national champion, this is a week less about proving greatness and more about avoiding bad habits, sharpening execution, and getting more players ready before the schedule stiffens.Subscribe to the Back Home Network for more CrimsonCast coverage of Indiana football, IU athletics, the Hoosiers, Big Ten football, and the 2026 college football season.
Galen Clavio hosts a live CrimsonCast preview as Indiana football gets ready to open the 2026 season against North Texas at Memorial Stadium.This is not a normal opener. Indiana enters the season as the reigning Big Ten champion and national champion, and Galen starts by talking through what it means to finally move from the afterglow of 2025 into the first real evaluation point of 2026. The Hoosiers are still carrying the memories of a perfect season, but now the question becomes what this team actually looks like once the ball is kicked.A major early theme is avoiding assumptions. Indiana started slowly in each of Curt Cignetti's first two openers, against FIU and Old Dominion, before eventually finding its rhythm. Galen argues that a slower start against North Texas would not necessarily be cause for panic, especially given the unusual nature of a Week 1 game against a rebuilt opponent. At the same time, there are real things IU fans should want to see: sharp execution, clean communication, physicality, and evidence that the new pieces are fitting together.The North Texas side of the preview centers on just how much the Mean Green have changed. After Eric Morris left for Oklahoma State, the roster was rebuilt almost from scratch, leaving Indiana with an opponent that is difficult to evaluate from last year's numbers. Former IU quarterback Tayven Jackson returns to Bloomington as the North Texas starter, and Galen talks through what Indiana fans remember from Jackson's time with the Hoosiers, what he brings as a passer, and why this could be an extremely difficult matchup against Bryant Haines' defense.The other key North Texas offensive name is Jaheim White, who gives the Mean Green a proven running back option. But beyond Jackson and White, Galen sees major questions: an offensive line full of transfers who have not played together, a receiving corps without much proven production, and a system that may still be searching for identity. Against an Indiana front seven led by players like Tyrique Tucker, Mario Landino, Tobias Nsonwu, and Chiddi Obiazor, that is a tough place to start.On the Indiana offensive side, the main storyline is Josh Hoover. Galen talks through what he wants to see from Hoover in his first game as IU's starting quarterback, how the relationship with Tino Sunseri could matter on the sideline, and why Indiana may not need to ask Hoover to carry the whole offense right away. Ideally, the Hoosiers build a lead, get Hoover a clean debut, and create enough space to see Grant Wilson and possibly other backup pieces later in the game.The running game is another major watch point. Galen expects Indiana to rotate heavily among Turbo Richard, Khobie Martin, and Lee Beebe Jr., with the offensive line asked to establish physical control against a North Texas defense that has not played together. He also raises the tight end question, where Brock Schott may be the most intriguing passing-game option, but Andrew Barker could have a major early role because of what he offers as a blocker.The preview also gets practical. Galen spends time on weather, heat, crowd flow, stadium entry, water bottles, tailgate security, and the reality that a packed Memorial Stadium will require fans to get inside earlier than usual. He also announces the first CrimsonCast Dog of the Week.The final segment zooms out to the season-long questions that matter most. Who replaces the leadership of players like Fernando Mendoza, Pat Coogan, and Aiden Fisher? Can players like Nick Marsh, Charlie Becker, Tyler Morris, and Hoover grow into the right roles? How does the team handle injuries and conditioning under Tyson Brown? And does this Indiana team still have the same physical, grinding, break-your-will identity that carried the Hoosiers to a national championship?
Indiana football's defensive secondary may be the biggest question mark on the roster — but it also has enough talent to become another major strength for Bryant Haines' defense. In this CrimsonCast positional preview, Galen Clavio breaks down the Hoosiers' cornerbacks, safeties, rover options, transfer additions, and young depth heading into the 2026 season.The episode starts with what Indiana lost. D'Angelo Ponds was one of the defining players of IU's national title run, locking down one side of the field, allowing just one touchdown across his two Indiana seasons, and stacking up postseason honors after huge performances in the Rose Bowl and Peach Bowl. The Hoosiers also have to replace Louis Moore, who turned in a spectacular final season with six interceptions, and Devan Boykin, whose versatility at rover gave Indiana tackles, pass breakups, turnovers, and a defensive touchdown.From there, Galen looks at how IU tries to rebuild the back end. Jamari Sharpe appears ready to step into the top cornerback role after a strong 2025 season capped by the interception that sealed the national championship game. Opposite him, Ryland Gandy and A.J. Harris are the key names to watch, with Gandy bringing experience in Indiana's system and Harris bringing high-end talent, Big Ten experience, and a skill set that may fit better in IU's zone-heavy structure than it did in Penn State's man-heavy defense last year.The safety and rover discussion centers on Amare Ferrell, Preston Zachman, Byron Baldwin Jr., and Quan Sanks. Ferrell returns after a second-team All-Big Ten season and now has a chance to raise his NFL Draft stock while leading a reshaped secondary. Zachman brings veteran experience from Wisconsin if he can stay healthy. Baldwin looks like the likely next answer at rover after flashing late last season, while Sanks gives Indiana another physical transfer option after two seasons at Cincinnati.The biggest theme is development. Indiana's secondary had early busts last year before growing into a championship-level unit by the end of the season, and Galen argues that this year's group may need a similar ramp-up period. With North Texas, Howard, and Western Kentucky before Big Ten play, the Hoosiers have time to build chemistry — but by the time Ohio State arrives, this secondary will need to be much closer to finished.Subscribe to the Back Home Network for more CrimsonCast coverage of Indiana football, IU athletics, Curt Cignetti, Bryant Haines, the Hoosiers, Big Ten football, and 2026 season previews.
Indiana football wraps up its 2026 positional preview series with one of the most important — and most overlooked — parts of the roster: special teams. In this CrimsonCast preview, Galen Clavio breaks down how Grant Cain's unit could shape field position, scoring chances, hidden yardage, and momentum for the reigning Big Ten and national champion Hoosiers.The episode starts with why special teams matter so much under Curt Cignetti. Indiana has treated the phase as a real competitive edge, not an afterthought, and the results have shown up in huge moments — from punt returns and blocked kicks to the national championship game, where Mikail Kamara's blocked punt and Isaiah Jones' recovery became one of the defining plays of the title run.From there, Galen looks at the specialists. Nico Radicic returns after a massive season as one of the Big Ten's best kickers, going 18-for-19 on field goals and perfect on extra points. The big question is range: Radicic has been incredibly accurate, but Indiana has not often asked him to kick from deep. With Brendan Franke gone, Paddy McAteer may be the answer on long field goals and kickoffs after arriving from Troy and showing a big leg in the spring.The punting job belongs to Billy Gowers, the Hawai‘i transfer and former Australian rules football player who brings age, experience, and real production after averaging more than 46 yards per punt last season. Drew Clausen, a transfer from Iowa State, takes over at long snapper after Mark Langston's rock-solid 2025 season.The return game may be the most interesting part of the preview. Tyler Morris is expected to take over at punt returner after missing last season with a knee injury, replacing Jonathan Brady, whose reliability and explosive production were a major part of Indiana's special teams success. Galen also discusses possible depth options at punt returner and kickoff returner, including LeBron Bond, Davion Chandler, Turbo Richard, Lee Beebe Jr., and Khobie Martin.The final takeaway is that special teams are more than specialists. For Indiana, this is where young players prove they belong, where effort shows up most clearly, and where future starters can first make their case. If you want to know which young Hoosiers are closest to breaking through, watch who lines up on coverage and return units this fall.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 season.
Galen Clavio continues CrimsonCast's Indiana football positional preview series by moving to the defense, starting with what may be the strongest position group on the entire roster: the defensive line.The episode opens with the bigger statistical picture. Under Bryant Haines, Indiana has been one of the most disruptive defenses in the country over the last two seasons. Galen explains front-seven havoc rate, defensive PPA, tackles for loss per game, and why those numbers matter when trying to understand what IU's defensive front is designed to do. The short version: Indiana does not just want to hold up at the line of scrimmage. It wants to confuse quarterbacks, wreck blocking schemes, create negative plays, and make offenses operate under stress.The interior defensive line starts with Tyrique Tucker and Mario Landino, both of whom return after excellent seasons. Galen highlights Tucker's tackle reliability, leverage, movement skills, and preseason All-America recognition, while also pointing to Landino's low missed-tackle rate and strong pressure production. Together, they give Indiana a powerful starting point inside.The depth behind them is one of the more interesting parts of the preview. Joe Hjelle arrives from Tulsa as a proven, high-effort interior piece who can help right away, while Jhrievous Hall and Kyler Garcia represent the next stage of internal development under Pat Kuntz and Buddha Williams. Galen also discusses freshman names like Blake Smythe, Cameron McHaney, Gabe Hill, and Rodney White, noting that Indiana is getting closer to the point where defensive line depth can be cultivated in-house rather than rebuilt every year through the portal.The edge group brings even more upside, but also more uncertainty. Stephen Daley remains a major storyline because of his eligibility status, and Galen explains why Indiana wants him back so badly: 19 tackles for loss, 41 quarterback pressures, and the kind of disruptive speed that changed games last season. Kellen Wyatt is also part of that eligibility picture after giving IU important physicality and production before his injury.The returning and incoming edge talent gives Indiana plenty to work with regardless. Daniel Ndukwe flashed late last season and now looks like a major rotational weapon. Chiddi Obiazor brings Big 12 production, versatility, and the ability to slide inside on passing downs. Tobi Osunsanmi may be Indiana's best pure pass rusher if he is fully healthy after his injury at Kansas State, while Josh Burnham brings experience from Notre Dame and gives Haines another useful chess piece.The final takeaway is that Indiana's defensive front has a chance to be special. With Tucker and Landino inside, Obiazor and Osunsanmi coming off the edge, Ndukwe emerging, and the possibility of Daley and Wyatt returning, the Hoosiers have the kind of depth, versatility, and pressure potential that can define a championship-level defense. The real fun will be watching how Haines moves those pieces around — who lines up where, who rushes, who drops, and how often opposing quarterbacks realize too late that Indiana has disguised the pressure again.
00:00 – 20:24 – Varying responses on Chris Ballard’s comments about Keenan Allen’s arrest, Ballard’s comments on JT Tuimoloau and him being “gassed” during preseason, Kevin asks about psychotic fan behavior and jinxes and asks if his brother has done anything wrong in planning for a potential Notre Dame national championship game 20:25 – 33:50 – ESPN Colts reporter Stephen Holder joins us to weigh in on what Chris Ballard had to say yesterday, Keenan Allen comments, AR’s role, other big takeaways, the SBJ article on Carlie Irsay-Gordon and the future of the team’s facility 33:51 – 47:19 - Matt Weaver of Peegs joins us to preview the IU football season, expectations without Fernando Mendoza under center, North Texas and Tayvan Jackson, how big is the target on Cignetti and IU?, will the Hoosiers still have the WOW plays like last season?, Josh Hoover expectations 47:20 – 1:00:21 - Sports Business Journal’s Ben Fischer join us to discuss his article on Carlie Irsay-Gordon and why he decided to feature her, the current state of Lucas Oil Stadium and the upcoming plans for it, is there any chance the Colts are open to private equity, is there actual monetary value in a new practice facility downtown?, her weekly itinerary, his Kent State daysSupport the show: https://1075thefan.com/the-wake-up-call-1075-the-fan/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Galen Clavio sits down with Jeremy Gray, Indiana Athletics' Senior Associate Athletic Director for Marketing and Fan Experience, for CrimsonCast's annual look at what fans should expect around Memorial Stadium as Indiana football gets ready to open the 2026 season against North Texas.The context is still hard to believe. Two years ago, a successful Indiana football build might have meant bowl eligibility, then seven or eight wins, then maybe a special nine-win season. Instead, IU went from hoping for progress to an 11-win season, then to an undefeated Big Ten championship and national championship season. Now the program is not just managing football operations — it is managing attention, demand, promotion, and a fan base that expects Memorial Stadium to feel like the home of a national power.Jeremy talks through what that change looks like from the athletic department side. The conversation touches on Curt Cignetti's rise as a national figure, the promotional opportunities that came with the championship, stadium use for outside projects, the college football video-game process, commercial shoots, and how IU tries to say yes to the right opportunities without turning the football program into a distraction machine.A major theme is scale. Memorial Stadium has improved dramatically as a fan experience over the last several years, but the job is different when the stadium is expected to be full every week. Galen and Jeremy discuss what changed after the 2024 Nebraska game, how the department has had to adapt quickly, and why marketing, ticketing, game operations, and fan services all have to operate differently when football becomes a true campus-wide event.They also get into the details fans care about most: student-section logistics, ticket demand, stadium flow, tailgating, outside-the-stadium activity, traditions, sponsor activations, crowd expectations, and the pressure that bigger crowds put on facilities. The goal is not just to celebrate that Indiana football is good now — it is to make sure the entire gameday operation grows with the program.
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.
On this episode, Alex Bozich is joined by Ian Plaskoff to wrap up IU football's fall camp and look ahead to the start of the 2026 season.Support Inside the Hall and Podcast on the Brink with a donation: https://www.insidethehall.com/recommends/donate-to-inside-the-hall/ Subscribe to Peacock to watch Indiana men's and women's basketball: https://www.insidethehall.com/recommends/peacock (affiliate link) Subscribe to B1G+ to watch Indiana men's and women's basketball: https://www.insidethehall.com/recommends/big-ten-plus/ (affiliate link) Buy IU basketball tickets at Vivid Seats: https://www.insidethehall.com/recommends/vivid-seats (affiliate link)
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.
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.
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Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman sit down to discuss IU football's forthcoming season, complete with schedule predictions, bold calls, some fun over/under discussion and final guesses as to whether the Hoosiers might defend their Big Ten crown ... and more. Chapters: 0:00 -- Intro 2:33 -- Will Indiana start 6-0? 16:47 -- Ohio State 22:29 -- Michigan 25:21 -- Halloween and afterward 38:45 -- Does IU make it back to Indianapolis? 41:51 -- Bold season predictions 45:53 -- Fun with offensive and defensive over/unders Read: https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/indiana/2026/08/18/indiana-football-wide-receivers-nick-marsh-charlie-becker-coach-curt-cignetti-depth-tyler-morris/91342534007/ Get IndyStar's IU coverage sent directly to your inbox with our IU Insider newsletter: https://profile.indystar.com/newsletters/iu-insider/?ipid=NLsignupIU Preorder "Unthinkable to Unstoppable" today: https://bit.ly/4gezKxZ
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.
Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman ask (and attempt to answer) the question of whether Indiana football is garnering the proper respect ahead of its national title defense this fall. Chapters: 0:00 -- Intro 1:32 -- Stephen Daley/Kellan Wyatt court updates 10:26 -- The question of disrespect 19:01 -- Where would we rank IU 23:15 -- Importance of staff continuity 28:10 -- Josh Hoover 35:53 -- The importance of good luck Read: https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/indiana/2026/08/18/indiana-football-wide-receivers-nick-marsh-charlie-becker-coach-curt-cignetti-depth-tyler-morris/91342534007/ Get IndyStar's IU coverage sent directly to your inbox with our IU Insider newsletter: https://profile.indystar.com/newsletters/iu-insider/?ipid=NLsignupIU Preorder "Unthinkable to Unstoppable" today: https://bit.ly/4gezKxZ
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 Sports Beat Radio with Jim Coyle rolls into Wednesday with @DylanSinn breaking down Curt Cignetti's Notre Dame comments, his AP Top 25 ballot and the latest from IU Football camp. @bkravitz joins us to discuss the Colts adding Keenan Allen and Unthinkable to Unstoppable. Plus: college football's escalating roster costs and the Jayden Daniels-LSU jersey controversy. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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.
In this episode of The Assembly Call, Jerod Morris and Ryan Phillips take stock of where Indiana basketball stands in mid-August after the Peru trip, Sam Alexis' return, and the first real glimpses of this rebuilt roster. They dig into the reasons for cautious optimism, what this team's identity could eventually become, and which questions still need to be answered before the games start counting.Why Sam Alexis' return may matter more than a typical late-offseason roster addition—and what it changes about Indiana's frontcourt options.What Bart Torvik's early projections say about Indiana and a Big Ten that already looks brutally deep.The biggest lesson from Peru wasn't any individual stat line, but what the roster suggested about how these pieces might fit together.What could define Indiana's identity on both ends of the floor—and why this roster may offer Darren DeVries more ways to attack than he had a year ago.Which freshmen have raised expectations, which veterans may be getting overlooked, and how much we should really trust anything we see in August.A closer look at whether Indiana's supposed depth is actually different this time—and why developing the back end of the rotation early could matter later.Does IU football's incredible success take pressure off the basketball program… or quietly raise the standard for what fans will tolerate?Jerod and Ryan also work through listener questions about pace, rotations, roster fit, player development, and how this group compares with some of the recent Indiana teams that looked promising on paper.And with football season almost here, the show closes with some well-earned IU football talk, including what Ryan trusts most about the defending champs—and the biggest question he still has entering the season.The Assembly Call is presented by Homefield Apparel ... and now Upstairs too!
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
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.
The Boys are back at Table 4 and have a raucous time discussing many topics. They name the best HS girls player they ever saw, talk IU Football, and play a bit of either or. Enjoy the pod as much as we did recording it! B3 is written directed and produced by Nathanyal Byler, Todd Lancaster, Mike DeCoursey, Brent Dalrymple and Brian Emmons and is a production of the Empulse Podcast Network. Thanks to our sponsors Justin Scherer and the Burkhart Insurance Agency, Golf Plus in Evansville, Fair Shake w/ Brian Emmons, Home and Harvest Realty and usually recorded at Red Bones Bar and Grill.
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!
Dylan Sinn (@DylanSinn) joins Jim Coyle & Coach Griff to discuss IU Football, Purdue Football & Notre Dame Football. Kyle Neddenriep (@KyleNeddenriep) previews Indiana High School Football. #iufb #PurdueFB #NotreDame #IndianaHSFootball Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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.
247's Peegs.com super reporter and IU Football guru extraordinaire Jared Kelly joins the show to talk about everything and anything to do with our beloved national champions.From his thoughts on the many highlights of Coach Cig speaking at Big Ten Media Days, to the return of Stephen Daley and Kellan Wyatt, to breaking down each position group, Jared is a world class bad ass at telling us all what's up with the greatest college football program on Earth.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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.
Alec Lasley, Zach Osterman & Bill Bender join Jim Coyle and Coach Griff. IU Football camp, Kellan Wyatt & Stephen Daley return, IU #6 in the Coaches Poll and the latest CFB news. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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 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.
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.
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.
ALSO: Deadly shooting, Gen Con returns to Indianapolis, Martindale-Brightwood community event, Colts camp, and IU Football looks ahead to start of season.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The boys are back at long last and ready to chop it up all things IU. Huge wins for gridiron recruiting, dominating victories by the hoopsters in Peru, and oh so much more are all on the docket for this week's comeback special of Hoosier Hysterics!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
00:00 - 11:03 - Dan Wetzel from ESPN joins the show! Dan and JMV debate if IU Football is the most hated program in the country after their national championship win last season! They dive into Dusty May leaving Michigan, and the chaos unfolding in Ann Arbor. 11:04 - 32:40 - Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Doug Boles joins the show live at the Speedway City Garage! They preview the Brickyard, discuss a potential IndyCar console game, the effect of weather on outside oval racing and more! 32:41 - 43:04 - Mike Chappell from CBS4 & FOX59 joins the show! Mike gives his thoughts on Caitlin Clark technical foul issues. They then preview the start of Colts training camp. Support the show: https://1075thefan.com/the-ride-with-jmv/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
00:00 – 26:56 – JMV is out at the Speedway City Garage to help kickoff Brickyard weekend! He discusses IU getting a top QB recruit, Colts Camp being just around the corner, and the Fever getting a dominant win over the Sun! 26:57 – 40:49 – Dan Wetzel from ESPN joins the show! Dan and JMV debate if IU Football is the most hated program in the country after their national championship win last season! They dive into Dusty May leaving Michigan, and the chaos unfolding in Ann Arbor. 40:50 – 45:48 – Jeff and Matt from Speedway help JMV wrap up the 1st hour! 45:49 – 1:10:20 – Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Doug Boles joins the show live at the Speedway City Garage! They preview the Brickyard, discuss a potential IndyCar console game, the effect of weather on outside oval racing and more! 1:10:21 – 1:23:49 – JMV talks up the Indiana Fever Fund with Alex Limontes! 1:23:50 – 1:29:35 – JMV wraps up the 2nd hour of the show! 1:29:36 - 1:42:31 – Mike Chappell from CBS4 & FOX59 joins the show! Mike gives his thoughts on Caitlin Clark technical foul issues. They then preview the start of Colts training camp. 1:42:32 - 1:49:52 – JMV and Doug Boles discuss the upcoming IndyCar race in Washington D.C! 1:49:53 – 1:55:07 – JMV wraps up the show! Support the show: https://1075thefan.com/the-ride-with-jmv/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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!
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.
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 demand is hitting a new level, and CrimsonCast breaks down what it means that IU is expanding its student section after a championship season changed the entire energy around Memorial Stadium.Galen Clavio and Grace Ybarra talk summer in Bloomington, IU's massive student-ticket surge, whether this has been the best all-around year ever for Indiana sports, and how football has reshaped the way people see the university. They also get into OG Anunoby and the Knicks' NBA title, Kel'el Ware being part of a blockbuster NBA trade discussion, Dusty May leaving Michigan for the NBA, and the unexpectedly great vibes around the World Cup in the United States.Subscribe to the Back Home Network for more CrimsonCast coverage of Indiana, the Hoosiers, IU football, IU basketball, and the wider world of sports.
IndyStar's Kyle Neddenriep joins Zach Osterman for a special Mind Your Banners episode, looking at IU football's in-state recruiting in 2027. They dive into the Indiana prep players Curt Cignetti and his staff already have committed, with some conversation at the end on a top remaining target as well. 0:00 -- Intro 2:29 -- IU football's resonance in state 8:42 -- Mason McDermott 12:48 -- Branden Sharpe 20:02 -- Jeremiah Jones 24:05 -- Monshun Sales Preorder "Unthinkable to Unstoppable" today: http://linktr.ee/unthinkabletounstoppable Get IndyStar's IU coverage sent directly to your inbox with our IU Insider newsletter: https://profile.indystar.com/newsletters/iu-insider/?ipid=NLsignupIU
What if Indiana finished the job in Columbus?