The chatter is that the Hoosiers aren't as crisp as they were to start 2025. Zach Osterman and Mike Niziolek take a closer look at how different, or similar, those 3-0 starts are after a 38-0 drubbing of Western Kentucky.

Read: https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/indiana/2026/09/20/indiana-football-fans-reaction-perfection-national-championship-hopes-josh-hoover-curt-cignetti/91849024007/

Subscribe to the newsletter: https://profile.indystar.com/newsletters/iu-insider/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@IndyStarTVHoosiers

The chatter is that the Hoosiers aren't as crisp as they were to start 2025. Zach Osterman and Mike Niziolek take a closer look at how different, or similar, those 3-0 starts are after a 38-0 drubbing of Western Kentucky.
Read: <a href="https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/indiana/2026/09/20/indiana-football-fans-reaction-perfection-national-championship-hopes-josh-hoover-curt-cignetti/91849024007/">https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/indiana/2026/09/20/indiana-football-fans-reaction-perfection-national-championship-hopes-josh-hoover-curt-cignetti/91849024007/</a>
Subscribe to the newsletter: <a href="https://profile.indystar.com/newsletters/iu-insider/">https://profile.indystar.com/newsletters/iu-insider/</a>
YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@IndyStarTVHoosiers">https://www.youtube.com/@IndyStarTVHoosiers</a>

Indiana Hoosiers coverage from the IndyStar and Bloomington Herald-Times.

Indiana Hoosiers coverage from the IndyStar and Bloomington Herald-Times.

Mind Your Banners

Indiana football is 3-0 but are they really behind the championship team?

Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman discuss Indiana's growing injury concerns at running back, the Hoosiers' needed defensive progress and more, as Curt Cignetti's team prepares for its road opener Saturday night at Rutgers.

Chapters:

0:00 -- Intro

0:34 -- Running back injuries mounting

9:09 -- Other injury updates

17:35 -- Looking at Rutgers

29:12 -- Indiana still looking for best combos

Read: https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/indiana/2026/09/26/indiana-football-curt-cignetti-consistency-fans-concerns-josh-hoover-defense/91947322007/

Get IndyStar's IU coverage sent directly to your inbox with our IU Insider newsletter: https://profile.indystar.com/newsletters/iu-insider/?ipid=NLsignupIU

Order "Unthinkable to Unstoppable" today: https://bit.ly/4gezKxZ

Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman discuss Indiana's growing injury concerns at running back, the Hoosiers' needed defensive progress and more, as Curt Cignetti's team prepares for its road opener Saturday night at Rutgers.
Chapters:
0:00 -- Intro
0:34 -- Running back injuries mounting
9:09 -- Other injury updates
17:35 -- Looking at Rutgers
29:12 -- Indiana still looking for best combos
Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.indystar.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fcollege%2Findiana%2F2026%2F09%2F26%2Findiana-football-curt-cignetti-consistency-fans-concerns-josh-hoover-defense%2F91947322007%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7CClark.Wade%40indystar.com%7C144456cd82024937bcfe08df208bc956%7Cbc924c8d3e164e88bf26d7fcfb14f2d5%7C0%7C0%7C639265456875474955%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=2Hz%2FMELbl27x%2FXTwm1kieucCXo5mghPpb0i80d%2BKZJ8%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0" data-ogsc="">https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/indiana/2026/09/26/indiana-football-curt-cignetti-consistency-fans-concerns-josh-hoover-defense/91947322007/</a>
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Order "Unthinkable to Unstoppable" today:&nbsp;<a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F4gezKxZ&amp;data=05%7C02%7CClark.Wade%40indystar.com%7C144456cd82024937bcfe08df208bc956%7Cbc924c8d3e164e88bf26d7fcfb14f2d5%7C0%7C0%7C639265456875521470%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=ntfEeRLqMHXe3FdKwXfYCSIDHJ1oi9%2F3BHVLTe%2FkAdc%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2" data-ogsc="">https://bit.ly/4gezKxZ</a>

Mind Your Banners: IU running out of running backs, on the runway to Rutgers

The boys are back with their postgame podcast, this time delayed 36ish hours by the late finish to Friday's 29-23 win against Northwestern. Mike and Zach pick the bones out of that game, good, bad and indifferent, and try to separate concerns from unnecessary anxieties, as Indiana works to correct its flaws heading into the meat of Big Ten play.

Chapters:

0:00 -- Intro

1:23 -- Digging into Northwestern win

8:01 -- Defensive good and bad

17:31 -- Offensive good and bad

33:07 -- The potential importance of learning to win

Read: https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/indiana/2026/09/26/indiana-football-curt-cignetti-consistency-fans-concerns-josh-hoover-defense/91947322007/

Get IndyStar's IU coverage sent directly to your inbox with our IU Insider newsletter: https://profile.indystar.com/newsletters/iu-insider/?ipid=NLsignupIU

Order "Unthinkable to Unstoppable" today: https://bit.ly/4gezKxZ

The boys are back with their postgame podcast, this time delayed 36ish hours by the late finish to Friday's 29-23 win against Northwestern. Mike and Zach pick the bones out of that game, good, bad and indifferent, and try to separate concerns from unnecessary anxieties, as Indiana works to correct its flaws heading into the meat of Big Ten play.
Chapters:
0:00 -- Intro
1:23 -- Digging into Northwestern win
8:01 -- Defensive good and bad
17:31 -- Offensive good and bad
33:07 -- The potential importance of learning to win
Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.indystar.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fcollege%2Findiana%2F2026%2F09%2F26%2Findiana-football-curt-cignetti-consistency-fans-concerns-josh-hoover-defense%2F91947322007%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7CClark.Wade%40indystar.com%7Cdbe3f0647fa34d1ae75f08df1d08b5b7%7Cbc924c8d3e164e88bf26d7fcfb14f2d5%7C0%7C0%7C639261595373778757%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=gc1Cu%2BZHh2ELExzhpYVV5H7xjrGyJud49S12HIQSCP4%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0" data-ogsc="">https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/indiana/2026/09/26/indiana-football-curt-cignetti-consistency-fans-concerns-josh-hoover-defense/91947322007/</a>
Get IndyStar's IU coverage sent directly to your inbox with our IU Insider newsletter:&nbsp;<a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fprofile.indystar.com%2Fnewsletters%2Fiu-insider%2F%3Fipid%3DNLsignupIU&amp;data=05%7C02%7CClark.Wade%40indystar.com%7Cdbe3f0647fa34d1ae75f08df1d08b5b7%7Cbc924c8d3e164e88bf26d7fcfb14f2d5%7C0%7C0%7C639261595373799550%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=QCxMCi4XEt%2FQIjhjovjk8T1BgG%2FewDSN98jcxjKkJeI%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1" data-ogsc="">https://profile.indystar.com/newsletters/iu-insider/?ipid=NLsignupIU</a>
Order "Unthinkable to Unstoppable" today:&nbsp;<a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F4gezKxZ&amp;data=05%7C02%7CClark.Wade%40indystar.com%7Cdbe3f0647fa34d1ae75f08df1d08b5b7%7Cbc924c8d3e164e88bf26d7fcfb14f2d5%7C0%7C0%7C639261595373812388%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=YyA8FqOJmzECHuuHet0vS4OksF%2Bhc9BEJiECN8as7yI%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2" data-ogsc="">https://bit.ly/4gezKxZ</a>

Mind Your Banners: The one where Mike apologizes to Aidan Chiles

Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman prepare for Indiana's Friday night showdown with Northwestern by attempting to, among other things, answer the question of just how worried Curt Cignetti is about the Wildcats. Plus, discussions of Josh Hoover's progress, this week's Daley/Wyatt update and some upcoming book events.

Chapters:

0:00 -- Intro

1:01 -- Some housekeeping

3:36 -- How worried is Curt Cignetti?

9:58 -- Taking stock of IU football through three weeks

12:25 -- Josh Hoover and the IU offense

20:25 -- Dealing with greater expectations

26:42 -- Stephen Daley/Kellan Wyatt update

35:17 -- Surprise player(s) so far?

40:01 -- Injury updates

Read: https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/indiana/2026/09/20/indiana-football-fans-reaction-perfection-national-championship-hopes-josh-hoover-curt-cignetti/91849024007/

Get IndyStar's IU coverage sent directly to your inbox with our IU Insider newsletter: https://profile.indystar.com/newsletters/iu-insider/?ipid=NLsignupIU

Order "Unthinkable to Unstoppable" today: https://bit.ly/4gezKxZ

 

Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman prepare for Indiana's Friday night showdown with Northwestern by attempting to, among other things, answer the question of just how worried Curt Cignetti is about the Wildcats. Plus, discussions of Josh Hoover's progress, this week's Daley/Wyatt update and some upcoming book events.
Chapters:
0:00 -- Intro
1:01 -- Some housekeeping
3:36 -- How worried is Curt Cignetti?
9:58 -- Taking stock of IU football through three weeks
12:25 -- Josh Hoover and the IU offense
20:25 -- Dealing with greater expectations
26:42 -- Stephen Daley/Kellan Wyatt update
35:17 -- Surprise player(s) so far?
40:01 -- Injury updates
Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.indystar.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fcollege%2Findiana%2F2026%2F09%2F20%2Findiana-football-fans-reaction-perfection-national-championship-hopes-josh-hoover-curt-cignetti%2F91849024007%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7CClark.Wade%40indystar.com%7C4611d8353e084e9658b908df1a6bb251%7Cbc924c8d3e164e88bf26d7fcfb14f2d5%7C0%7C0%7C639258721982849780%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=9TXGaPfKmj7L5pUqrTbioMBcjGnO5ICBjmzlEaXM0gE%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0" data-ogsc="">https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/indiana/2026/09/20/indiana-football-fans-reaction-perfection-national-championship-hopes-josh-hoover-curt-cignetti/91849024007/</a>
Get IndyStar's IU coverage sent directly to your inbox with our IU Insider newsletter:&nbsp;<a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fprofile.indystar.com%2Fnewsletters%2Fiu-insider%2F%3Fipid%3DNLsignupIU&amp;data=05%7C02%7CClark.Wade%40indystar.com%7C4611d8353e084e9658b908df1a6bb251%7Cbc924c8d3e164e88bf26d7fcfb14f2d5%7C0%7C0%7C639258721982877770%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=FYnHfl4d2BW1rgaWd4TvbwDf9bniClG10uSeBNRmiLw%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1" data-ogsc="">https://profile.indystar.com/newsletters/iu-insider/?ipid=NLsignupIU</a>
Order "Unthinkable to Unstoppable" today:&nbsp;<a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F4gezKxZ&amp;data=05%7C02%7CClark.Wade%40indystar.com%7C4611d8353e084e9658b908df1a6bb251%7Cbc924c8d3e164e88bf26d7fcfb14f2d5%7C0%7C0%7C639258721982934877%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=jFxQWHGzq5Ds4AEcrO7vDc7iG5nFNeVrkqYgv2YVERU%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2" data-ogsc="">https://bit.ly/4gezKxZ</a>
&nbsp;

Indiana football is 3-0 but are they really behind the championship team?

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