CrimsonCast

From the balcony of CrimsonCast's Bison Camp in South Florida, GC shares some observations and thoughts from Media Day and gives some updates on tickets, timing, and some of the media content that has resonated over the last few days.

In our last preview episode of the 2025 College Football Season, Galen Clavio and Taylor Lehman do a 12-round evaluation of Indiana football's Championship Game match-up with the Miami Hurricanes. We discuss the statistical breakdown of the two teams, where the Hoosiers' strengths lie, and where Miami will attempt to disrupt Indiana on both offense and defense. We discuss various scenarios, go down some statistical rabbit holes, and try to give as full a picture as we can of the most momentous game in Indiana football history.

Get ready for "Championship Cash" on Crimson Cash, where Scott and James are here for a gambling show ahead of the National Championship! Scott and James discuss the unbelievable run Indiana University has been on. James, an IU football fan since the 1987 Old Oaken Bucket game, admits he was convinced he would see Jesus return before IU ever won a national championship. For both Scott and James, this season's success, which includes getting to and winning a Big Ten title, is far beyond what they ever imagined.The episode gives shoutouts to sponsors Homefield Apparel and Posh Hotel in Bloomington. Homefield Apparel is sponsoring a live show on Sunday night, so check their socials for details. The Posh Hotel in Bloomington has the "Curt Cignetti Room," which is the place to be if you are coming into Bloomington for the game's festivities.Scott and James are loving hearing from listeners about their future bets. Scott shares that he has an IU National Championship bet and cashed out on a bet for IU to make the College Football Playoff (CFP). James gave a "Hoosier Hot Streak" pick earlier in the season, telling listeners to bet money on IU to win the national championship at plus 600 odds.When it comes to the game, the guys are focused on making some gambling money. They dive into the betting odds, including the spread, which started at five and a half and has been bet up to eight and a half, with tickets pouring in on the Hoosiers. They look at historical data showing favorites have not only covered the spread in the last five championship games but have covered in style. The public is heavily on the Hoosiers, with 76% to 78% of the tickets, meaning "Vegas really needs Miami".James likes the Hoosiers to cover the eight-and-a-half-point spread, predicting the team will "play joyless murder ball and destroy" Miami, breaking their will to live. The conversation also covers:Alternate spreads, with Scott liking IU at minus 13 and a half.Taking IU's third quarter spread at minus one and a half, as IU has "dominated the third quarter this year".Anytime touchdown scorers, with James liking Omar Cooper and Scott liking Nowakowski based on the odds.The importance of the first two drives of the game and how an early pick six could put an "unbelievable amount of doubt in Miami's head"Scott closes the show by expressing his emotions about seeing his team in a championship, and James notes he's not as nervous as he usually is for games. Scott offers advice for anyone going to Miami: "be early, be ready, be loud, and stay never daunted". Don't miss this one!

GC is joined by The Big Red Carpet's Rhett Lewis to break down the matchup between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Miami Hurricanes. We talk about the strengths of both teams, what we learned from both teams' progressions through the College Football Playoff, and evaluate the physical challenges that Miami could pose to the Hoosiers. We also discuss how Indiana's coaching staff and players are navigating an unprecedented week, and how we as observers are processing things as Championship gameday gets closer.

We are joined once again on CrimsonCast by Olivia Ray of ABC 57 to talk about Indiana football's comments and vibes as we head into the weekend. Olivia gives us some notes and feedback from the various press availabilities that both Indiana and Miami have held this week, and also checks in on the way that Indiana football alums are approaching the Hoosiers playing in a title game.

Connor and GC talk about the the explosion of Indiana football fandom among the Hoosier alumni base, the insane journey of the last two years for longtime IU football fans, and the feeling going into a game that didn't seem like a possibility before the arrival of Curt Cignetti.

As we get you ready for Indiana's Championship Game appearance, BHN brings you a touch of culture from South Florida. Jacqueline Coleman (@HistoryAndWine on Instagram), a food and wine writer in Miami and Star Wine List representative, gives us some tips on high-quality, unique, and exciting places to eat and drink while in Miami. She also gives us some information on Hard Rock Stadium transportation, parking, and food.

It's National Championship Week on Crimson Cast! Scott welcomes back Connor Onion from the Big Ten Network to preview the national championship game. Scott and Connor discuss Indiana University's unbelievable football run, which includes wins against Ohio State, Alabama, and Oregon. Connor Onion shares his perspective as a Big Ten observer, noting that Indiana's defense is sound, with players who "beat blocks" and are "sound tackling". The discussion compares the Indiana team to the 2019 LSU team. Other topics include Head Coach Curt Cignetti's "superpower" and the team's chip-on-the-shoulder mentality.Scott and Connor preview the game against Miami, with Connor suggesting Miami may try to play ball control. They also discuss the impressive fan turnout for Indiana at the Rose Bowl and in Atlanta. Connor Onion, who is wearing his Homefield jacket, agrees to join the show after the game to recap, hopefully from a championship parade.

Galen Clavio is joined by Matt Dollinger of The Ringer for a thoughtful conversation about the nature of Indiana football fandom—where it’s been, why this moment feels different, and how decades of shared memory shape the way Hoosiers are experiencing a historic run.They dig into Matt’s recent Ringer piece on Curt Cignetti and the Hoosiers, unpacking the emotional throughline of Indiana fandom, the weight of long-suffering loyalty, and what it’s like when a program suddenly flips the script on the national stage. The discussion also explores how culture, belief, and perspective have changed around IU football—and why this season resonates beyond wins and losses.

Indiana defeats Oregon 56-22 in the CFP Semifinal, and is now one win away from the program's first-ever national title in Football. Galen and Scott break down the entire weekend, including Indiana's takeover of Atlanta, the Hoosiers' dominance over the Ducks, and more.

Galen Clavio is joined by Taylor Lehman (Bite Sized Bison) for a numbers-driven preview of Indiana vs Oregon in the Peach Bowl CFP semifinal. After a few quick Atlanta travel/event notes, they dive straight into the matchup: what Indiana’s 38–3 Rose Bowl win over Alabama revealed schematically, what Oregon showed (and didn’t show) against Texas Tech, and why this rematch is a completely different puzzle than the first meeting. They break down how Indiana’s defense adjusts without Stephen Daley and Kellen Wyatt, what it means if Indiana can’t recreate the same pressure avalanche on Dante Moore, and how Bryant Haines may use structure and simulated pressure to limit explosives. On the other side, they examine how Indiana’s offense has evolved since October—Fernando Mendoza’s leap, the emergence of Charlie Becker as a true vertical threat, the steady presence of Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper, plus why Roman Hemby and Kellen Black are so difficult to game-plan for. Then it’s chart time: SP+ / efficiency indicators, trench matchups, red-zone keys, and a final prediction for a game that could decide the national title favorite.

Galen Clavio is joined by Olivia Ray (ABC 57) as Indiana turns the page from a historic Rose Bowl performance and prepares for the Peach Bowl CFP semifinal vs Oregon. They discuss what it was like on the ground in Pasadena, why Curt Cignetti had the Hoosiers locked in like it was a business trip, and how Indiana’s physicality completely flipped the “brand” expectations heading into the game. They also dig into why Indiana’s defense keeps surviving injuries and still playing at an elite level under DC Bryant Haines, and how the Hoosiers stay hungry even after stacking wins. Finally, they look ahead to the Oregon rematch: what changes, what doesn’t, and why IU’s mentality makes this team different.

It’s Peach Bowl week, and Galen Clavio is joined by Rhett Lewis for a full preview of Indiana vs Oregon in the CFP semifinal. They start with the Atlanta logistics (including the Homefield “Can’t Miss Kickoff Tour” Peach Bowl party and Stampede to Atlanta details), then dive into what Indiana’s Rose Bowl beatdown of Alabama revealed — especially dominance in the trenches, the run-game structure that unlocked Fernando Mendoza, and how Indiana’s defense controlled the game plan around Ty Simpson.From there, the focus turns to the rematch: why stopping Oregon’s run is still the central problem, what changed since the first Indiana–Oregon meeting, and how IU’s pressure plan may evolve given the current personnel realities (including the absence of Stephen Daley and Kellen Wyatt). Plus: crowd/venue dynamics in Atlanta, portal-era distractions for opponents, and the handful of “small edges” that can decide a semifinal.

Galen Clavio is joined by Courtney Cronin (ESPN) for a wide-ranging conversation as Indiana prepares to face Oregon in the Peach Bowl CFP semifinal—coming off IU’s dominant Rose Bowl win over Alabama.They talk about the Indiana football phenomenon (and why this surge feels sustainable under Curt Cignetti), the national discourse surrounding IU and the SEC, how the sport is changing in the transfer/NIL era, and what it’s been like watching Indiana turn into a true national football brand.They also discuss the fan takeover in Pasadena, why “brand mystique” doesn’t match what’s actually on film, and wrap with a big-picture look at Fernando Mendoza’s Heisman moment—plus what his skill set could look like at the next level.

Galen Clavio is joined by Rhett Lewis of The Big Red Carpet and Trent McGee of the Kirkwood & Dunn podcast to talk about the first wave of Indiana's 2026 portal haul, including discussions about the addition of QB Josh Hoover, WR Nick Marsh, and many more players.

Indiana is the Rose Bowl champions — and Galen Clavio and Scott Caulfield finally get to sit down for the full, official breakdown after an unforgettable trip to Pasadena and a 38–3 demolition of Alabama in the CFP quarterfinal.They relive the week in L.A. (including the parade/rain chaos and just how completely IU fans took over the city), then dive into what made the win so overwhelming: Indiana’s commitment to the run with Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black, Fernando Mendoza’s surgical efficiency, and a defense that played with violence and discipline while forcing Alabama into desperation mode under Kalen DeBoer and Ty Simpson.They also hit “Recite the Drives,” spotlight key performances like Charlie Becker, Elijah Sarratt, Devin Boykin, and D'Angelo Ponds, and and talk about the mental reset needed after the Rose Bowl high with Oregon (and Dan Lanning) waiting in the Peach Bowl semifinal.

Indiana wins the Rose Bowl with a dominant 38-3 victory over Alabama. We should talk about it!

A late night live podcast on December 30, talking Indiana vs Alabama and answering listener questions.

Galen Clavio delivers a full Indiana vs Alabama preview as the Hoosiers head to Pasadena for the Rose Bowl CFP Quarterfinal.After a quick update on the Stampede To Pasadena Road Trip and other Rose Bowl events, Galen dives into the matchup using advanced statistics and trendlines—what Alabama has (and hasn’t) been consistently this season, why Indiana’s profile looks so strong across opponent-adjusted metrics, and where the game will swing in the trenches. He breaks down the schedule/strength-of-record debate, what we learned from Alabama’s win over Oklahoma, and the biggest tactical pressure points: Indiana’s need to establish the run with Kaelon Black and Roman Hemby, Alabama’s path to disruption via pressure on Fernando Mendoza, and how Indiana’s defense under Bryant Haines can challenge Ty Simpson and Alabama’s receiving threats (Germie Bernard, Isaiah Horton, Ryan Williams, Josh Cuevas)—with D’Angelo Ponds and Louis Moore spotlighted on the back end. Plus: the latest Rose Bowl weather outlook and what rain could change (and who it might favor). - Sponsored by Homefield Apparel. Happy 10th anniversary to the Good Brand! Use HOME23 for 15% off your first order.- The Stampede to Pasadena Road Trip is brought to you in part by Bluegrass Toasted Oak Tournament of Roses bourbon, which was produced in partnership with the Pasadena Tournament of Roses! Indiana residents can get it shipped to them directly via several retailers. Drink Responsibly.

GC brings you the annual Holiday Mailbag episode. Audience questions vary widely (as they always do) but include topics such as: Whether basketball's success is impacted by football Early bracketology for men's hoops and what they need to do to get to the tournament Recent libations that Galen has enjoyed The ideal menu for a Christmas tailgate Updates on recent cooking escapades Advice to Indiana football fans on how to talk with fans of blue blood programs Injury updates prior to the Rose Bowland much more. Happy Holidays!