CrimsonCast

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Ep 1294 - Holiday Mailbag Dec 24, 2025

Show notes

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 Bowl

and much more. Happy Holidays!

Ep 1293 - 60 Minutes Hits IU Football + Rose Bowl vs Alabama Preview (Ty Simpson, DeBoer/Wommack) + CFP Format Debate | CrimsonCast Dec 21, 2025

Show notes

On CrimsonCast Ep. 1293, Galen Clavio and Scott Caulfield react to Indiana football’s national breakout moment on 60 Minutes and what it says about the program’s new place in the sport — including the small details that made the segment resonate with a broader audience.

Then it’s full Rose Bowl / College Football Playoff quarterfinal mode as Indiana draws Alabama. The guys break down what the Crimson Tide look like right now, including QB Ty Simpson, Alabama’s passing game strengths, questions in the run game, and which personnel Indiana must account for. They also discuss the coaching chess match, including Kalen DeBoer and DC Kane Wommack, and why Indiana’s structure under OC Mike Shanahan and DC Bryant Haines translates well to a neutral-site playoff environment.

Finally, Galen and Scott step back to evaluate the College Football Playoff after another round of lopsided results — debating access, perception, and why “who belongs” conversations often reveal more about bias than football.

CFP Breakdown (CrimsonCast x Big Red Carpet): Alabama–Oklahoma Reaction + Rose Bowl IU–Alabama Preview + Live Q&A Dec 21, 2025

Show notes

It’s a CrimsonCast x The Big Red Carpet crossover as Galen Clavio and Rhett Lewis break down the first three College Football Playoff games—with the deepest focus on Alabama’s 34–24 comeback win at Oklahoma and what it tells us about the Tide heading into the Rose Bowl CFP quarterfinal vs Indiana.

They discuss what worked (and what still looks vulnerable) for Alabama, how Indiana’s defense under Bryant Haines can create problems, and the biggest chess-match elements—especially with IU adjusting up front without Stephen Daley.

The guys also hit the rest of the bracket: Miami’s 10–3 win over Texas A&M and Ole Miss’ 41–10 win over Tulane (and what those results suggest about the next round).

Plus: live audience questions, injury updates, portal/roster-building discussion, and Pasadena meetup plans leading into Rose Bowl week.

Ep 1291- Indiana Football News (Rally Towels, OC Extension) + Andy Wittry on Private Equity, CFP & the Future of College Sports Dec 19, 2025

Show notes

Galen Clavio opens the show with a handful of Indiana football news items as the Hoosiers await their Rose Bowl / CFP quarterfinal opponent — including the wild scene at Memorial Stadium’s rally towel distribution, reflections on Fernando Mendoza’s Heisman win, and why keeping coordinator continuity (including Mike Shanahan’s extension and Bryant Haines on defense) matters for sustaining IU as a national power.

Then Galen is joined by former On3 reporter Andy Wittry for a wide-ranging conversation about the college football landscape: Utah’s groundbreaking private-capital partnership and what it could mean for athletic departments nationally, the Big 12’s reported pursuit of private capital, the growing financial squeeze (including high-profile student-fee debates), and how the CFP is evolving amid ongoing political pressure from major brands like Notre Dame.

Ep 1290 - Fernando Mendoza Wins the Heisman! + Indiana Basketball Falls at Kentucky Dec 14, 2025

Show notes

Indiana football just added another piece of history: Fernando Mendoza is the first Hoosier to win the Heisman Trophy, and Galen Clavio and Scott Caulfield unpack what the moment means for the program, the fan base, and Mendoza’s place in Indiana sports lore. They also dig into the voting results and why Mendoza’s biggest moments (and biggest stage) ultimately separated him from the other finalists.

Then it’s a hard pivot to Indiana basketball: the Hoosiers lose 72–60 at Kentucky, and the conversation turns to the team’s offensive issues, foul trouble, thin margins, and what it means for the Big Ten grind ahead under Darian DeVries.

Ep 1289 - Indiana's CFP Path, Stephen Daley's Injury, Notre Dame–ACC Fight & Michigan Mess Dec 12, 2025

Show notes

Indiana just won the Big Ten Championship and is gearing up for the College Football Playoff, but the work isn’t done. Galen Clavio goes solo to break down Indiana football’s week after the conference title, how the Hoosiers adjust defensively without Stephen Daley, and what potential CFP matchups vs Alabama or Oklahoma might look like schematically.

Galen also dives into the national college football drama:

The Notre Dame–ACC war of words after the Irish were left out of the CFP, including AD Pete Bevacqua’s public shots at the league and calls for format changes.
ACC commissioner Jim Phillips pushing for immediate CFP expansion after the controversy.
The Heisman race between Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza and Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia, who has become the media’s SEC-fueled alternative.
Michigan’s ugly situation around former coach Sherrone Moore, and what it says about culture, leadership, and how quickly an athletic department can lose control

Plus: bracket talk, how Bryant Haines’ defense solves problems like a Roman legion, why Indiana’s portal strategy is pure Moneyball, and what the sport’s power brokers are really doing with the playoff going forward.

Subscribe for more Indiana football, CFP breakdowns, and Big Ten realignment drama all postseason.

Ep 1288 - Indiana Beats Ohio State for the Big Ten Championship Dec 07, 2025

Show notes

Indiana University football are Big Ten Champions for the first time since 1967 — and Galen Clavio and Scott Caulfield break down every emotional, unforgettable moment of IU’s 13–10 win over Ohio State.

From the defensive masterpiece, to Charlie Becker’s iconic championship catch, to Curt Cignetti’s program-defining statement, the guys look at how Indiana out-toughed, out-executed, and out-adjusted one of college football’s modern giants.

They also discuss:
– Why IU’s fans will remember this night forever
– The statistical backbone of the victory
– Key plays that flipped the game
– How this team’s identity has evolved
– What the Big Ten title means for IU’s future and the upcoming CFP

Presented by Homefield Apparel and Posh Hotel Bloomington.
Subscribe for Rose Bowl & CFP previews all week.

Ep 1287 - Indiana vs Ohio State Preview w/ Taylor Lehman (B1G Title Keys + Advanced Stats) Dec 05, 2025

Show notes

Galen Clavio is joined by Taylor Lehman for the final deep-dive preview of the Big Ten Championship Game between #2 Indiana and #1 Ohio State.

They break down why this matchup is unprecedented, what’s changed since last year’s IU–OSU meeting, how Fernando Mendoza and Indiana’s upgraded roster stack up against the Buckeyes, and the advanced-stat matchups that will decide a historic Saturday night in Indianapolis.

Presented by Homefield Apparel (Indy pop-ups all weekend) and Posh Hotel Bloomington.
Subscribe to the Back Home Network for wall-to-wall title-game coverage.

Ep 1286 - Indiana vs Ohio State Preview w/ Galen Clavio & Rhett Lewis (B1G Title Breakdown + Keys to Victory) Dec 05, 2025

Show notes

Galen Clavio is joined by Big Red Carpet host Rhett Lewis for a full preview of the Big Ten Championship Game between #2 Indiana and #1 Ohio State.

They discuss the historic stakes, the emotional build-up, Indiana’s growth from last season, the coaching brilliance of Curt Cignetti’s staff, and why this matchup feels different from anything IU fans have ever experienced.

Rhett and Galen break down the key factors that will decide the game — stopping Ohio State’s run, how Indiana’s offense can unlock the RPO, defensive adjustments on both sides, crowd and atmosphere impact, and why both teams will empty the playbook on Saturday night.

Presented by Homefield Apparel (pop-up events all over Indy this weekend) and Posh Hotel Bloomington.

CrimsonCASH - Championship Week Dec 04, 2025

Show notes

Championship Week has arrived, and Scott and James are backon CrimsonCASH to dissect the upcoming games and share their best bets for theBig Ten Championship! The hosts kicked off the season with a bang, going 14 and4 on their Big Ten regular season over/under predictions. Now, they're ready toplace some more bets for championship week.

The guys dive into the Big Ten Championship matchup andshare their betting angles for the Indiana Hoosiers vs. Ohio State Buckeyesgame. James currently has the IU team total over 20 and a half, a thresholdthat, if reached, would be the first time a team has scored more than 17 pointsagainst the Buckeyes all year. Scott admits his "fan heart takesover" his "gambling heart" and says he will bet Indiana moneyline or Indiana to cover a spread. The hosts recommend that those wanting totake IU plus points should wait until the first quarter for a potentiallybetter live line.

They also discuss:

Why the winner of the Big Ten Championship is likely to winthe Heisman Trophy. Scott suggests hedging a Fernando Mendoza (Indiana) betwith Julian Sayin (Ohio State) to win the Heisman at plus 180

The odds for Indiana players to score an anytime touchdown,with Fernando Mendoza offering the best value at over 3 to 1 for a rushingtouchdown.

Scott's prediction that the crowd split will favor Indiana60/40, though James thinks there will be more Ohio State fans.

The observation that Lucas Oil Stadium's turf is "notthe fastest" and "kind of slippery".

A shoutout to their "Who's Your Hot Streak"winner, Keegan, who sent in a photo of Mad Mushroom cheesesticks topped withbacon from the Purdue tailgate.

Shoutouts to other CrimsonCASH listeners, like Winky Dink16and Cav Nasty 54, who won money on their preseason over/unders.

Don't miss the betting insights on this historic season anddetails on the CrimsonCASH meet and greet in Indy!

Before you listen, make sure to check out Posh Hotel inBloomington and Homefield Apparel (use code HOME23 to save 15% on your firstpurchase)!

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