Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman cover a lot of ground during a quiet period just before the Hoosiers' Rose Bowl preparations really begin to ramp up. The boys take a look at potential CFP matchups, pending portal needs, early projections for the Rose Bowl and more.

Chapters:

0:00 -- Intro

2:15 -- First look at potential quarterfinal opponents

18:17 -- Early Rose Bowl projections

27:11 -- HeisMendoza, and moving on

31:09 -- The DL after Daley

43:30 -- Projecting roster questions

Read: https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/indiana/2025/12/16/indiana-football-cfp-rose-bowl-fernando-mendoza-heisman/87782120007/

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

Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman cover a lot of ground during a quiet period just before the Hoosiers' Rose Bowl preparations really begin to ramp up. The boys take a look at potential CFP matchups, pending portal needs, early projections for the Rose Bowl and more.
Chapters:
0:00 -- Intro
2:15 -- First look at potential quarterfinal opponents
18:17 -- Early Rose Bowl projections
27:11 -- HeisMendoza, and moving on
31:09 -- The DL after Daley
43:30 -- Projecting roster questions
Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.indystar.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fcollege%2Findiana%2F2025%2F12%2F16%2Findiana-football-cfp-rose-bowl-fernando-mendoza-heisman%2F87782120007%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7CClark.Wade%40indystar.com%7Cd5154d9f64a842aa9f2008de3dad49ec%7Cbc924c8d3e164e88bf26d7fcfb14f2d5%7C0%7C0%7C639016011628569382%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=07kWy%2B5q75IBg038w6zEExKQ%2B%2BHQN7CW809b0rRXUPI%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0" data-ogsc="">https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/indiana/2025/12/16/indiana-football-cfp-rose-bowl-fernando-mendoza-heisman/87782120007/</a>
Get IndyStar's IU coverage sent directly to your inbox with our IU Insider newsletter:&nbsp;<a href="https://profile.indystar.com/newsletters/iu-insider/?ipid=NLsignupIU" data-ogsc="rgb(83, 132, 147)" data-linkindex="1">https://profile.indystar.com/newsletters/iu-insider/?ipid=NLsignupIU</a>

Mind Your Banners: The calm before the storm

Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman pack a lot into this week's show, discussing Indiana basketball so far, the Hoosiers' outlook at Kentucky, the shape of the Heisman Trophy race and how Fernando Mendoza fi

Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman pack a lot into this week's show, discussing Indiana basketball so far, the Hoosiers' outlook at Kentucky, the shape of the Heisman Trophy race and how Fernando Mendoza fi

Mind Your Banners: Playoff and Heisman and UK oh my!

Zach Osterman and Mike Niziolek break down a whirlwind 24 hours, after Indiana defeats No. 1 Ohio State to win the Big Ten championship, clinching for the Hoosiers the No. 1 ranking and overall seed in this year's College Football Playoff, as well as a place in this year's Rose Bowl. Zach and Mike recap the game, analyze the Hoosiers' Playoff path and try to make some sense of what all this means for IU fans.

Zach Osterman and Mike Niziolek break down a whirlwind 24 hours, after Indiana defeats No. 1 Ohio State to win the Big Ten championship, clinching for the Hoosiers the No. 1 ranking and overall seed in this year's College Football Playoff, as well as a place in this year's Rose Bowl. Zach and Mike recap the game, analyze the Hoosiers' Playoff path and try to make some sense of what all this means for IU fans.

Mind Your Banners: Indiana football is Rose Bowl-bound

IndyStar's Zach Osterman and Mike Niziolek of The Herald-Times break down a whirlwind 24 hours, after Indiana defeats No. 1 Ohio State to win the Big Ten championship, clinching for the Hoosiers the No. 1 ranking and overall seed in this year's College Football Playoff, as well as a place in this year's Rose Bowl. Zach and Mike recap the game, analyze the Hoosiers' Playoff path and try to make some sense of what all this means for IU fans.

IndyStar's Zach Osterman and Mike Niziolek of The Herald-Times break down a whirlwind 24 hours, after Indiana defeats No. 1 Ohio State to win the Big Ten championship, clinching for the Hoosiers the No. 1 ranking and overall seed in this year's College Football Playoff, as well as a place in this year's Rose Bowl. Zach and Mike recap the game, analyze the Hoosiers' Playoff path and try to make some sense of what all this means for IU fans.

Mind Your Banners: Big Ten champion Indiana is Rose Bowl bound

Joey Kaufman of the Columbus Dispatch joins IndyStar's Zach Osterman for a BuckeyeXtra/Mind Your Banners crossover, previewing Saturday night's Big Ten championship game between No. 1 Ohio State and No. 2 Indiana. Kaufman and Osterman break down everything from the quarterback matchup, to these teams' dominant defense, to what a win would mean for both sides, its effect on the Heisman race and more.

Read: https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/indiana/2025/12/02/indiana-football-pat-coogan-leader-proven-winner-motivator-speeches-curt-cignetti-big-ten-cfp/87557306007/

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

Joey Kaufman of the Columbus Dispatch joins IndyStar's Zach Osterman for a BuckeyeXtra/Mind Your Banners crossover, previewing Saturday night's Big Ten championship game between No. 1 Ohio State and No. 2 Indiana. Kaufman and Osterman break down everything from the quarterback matchup, to these teams' dominant defense, to what a win would mean for both sides, its effect on the Heisman race and more.
Read: <a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.indystar.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fcollege%2Findiana%2F2025%2F12%2F02%2Findiana-football-pat-coogan-leader-proven-winner-motivator-speeches-curt-cignetti-big-ten-cfp%2F87557306007%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7CClark.Wade%40indystar.com%7C321bf705505f42570b4908de31eeb492%7Cbc924c8d3e164e88bf26d7fcfb14f2d5%7C0%7C0%7C639003098471744913%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=HFoQsClKsGwPIzXQsouPD%2FOzY%2BYN9tbH7XbQlsNzUx4%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0" data-ogsc="">https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/indiana/2025/12/02/indiana-football-pat-coogan-leader-proven-winner-motivator-speeches-curt-cignetti-big-ten-cfp/87557306007/</a>
Get IndyStar's IU coverage sent directly to your inbox with our IU Insider newsletter: https://profile.indystar.com/newsletters/iu-insider/?ipid=NLsignupIU

Mind Your Banners: Scouting Ohio State

Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman convene for the most anticipated Mind Your Banners in history: The Big Ten championship game preview. Zach and Mike break down the matchup between No. 1 Ohio State and No. 2 Indiana, what the keys are for both sides, who and what might turn the game, what a win means to each side and more.

Chapters:

0:00 -- Intro

1:53 -- Initial thoughts

8:10 -- What this game means

12:11 -- Quarterback battle

17:03 -- Defenses staying fresh all season

26:18 -- Potential x-factors

36:24 -- Most important player each side

41:29 -- Mike's got questions

51:21 -- Potential CFP implications

1:01:01 -- Final thoughts, predictions

Read: https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/indiana/2025/12/02/indiana-football-pat-coogan-leader-proven-winner-motivator-speeches-curt-cignetti-big-ten-cfp/87557306007/

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

Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman convene for the most anticipated Mind Your Banners in history: The Big Ten championship game preview. Zach and Mike break down the matchup between No. 1 Ohio State and No. 2 Indiana, what the keys are for both sides, who and what might turn the game, what a win means to each side and more.
Chapters:
0:00 -- Intro
1:53 -- Initial thoughts
8:10 -- What this game means
12:11 -- Quarterback battle
17:03 -- Defenses staying fresh all season
26:18 -- Potential x-factors
36:24 -- Most important player each side
41:29 -- Mike's got questions
51:21 -- Potential CFP implications
1:01:01 -- Final thoughts, predictions
Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.indystar.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fcollege%2Findiana%2F2025%2F12%2F02%2Findiana-football-pat-coogan-leader-proven-winner-motivator-speeches-curt-cignetti-big-ten-cfp%2F87557306007%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7CClark.Wade%40indystar.com%7Cc550a5b014814718b3e708de31dc541c%7Cbc924c8d3e164e88bf26d7fcfb14f2d5%7C0%7C0%7C639003019527541248%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=Em82mk3PoBPhJLlx8nkctT%2Fq6T7lYrHNdLjtzQJP2Nc%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0" data-ogsc="">https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/indiana/2025/12/02/indiana-football-pat-coogan-leader-proven-winner-motivator-speeches-curt-cignetti-big-ten-cfp/87557306007/</a>
Get IndyStar's IU coverage sent directly to your inbox with our IU Insider newsletter: https://profile.indystar.com/newsletters/iu-insider/?ipid=NLsignupIU

Mind Your Banners: The Big Ten Championship Game

USA Today Co.'s Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman discuss the Hoosiers' forthcoming matchup with Ohio State in this year's Big Ten football championship game, how IU got there, what we learned from the Purdue win and what to expect in Indy.

USA Today Co.'s Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman discuss the Hoosiers' forthcoming matchup with Ohio State in this year's Big Ten football championship game, how IU got there, what we learned from the Purdue win and what to expect in Indy.

Mind Your Banners: It's officially Indiana vs. Ohio State in the Big Ten championship

Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman discuss Indiana's quest to complete a perfect 12-0 season with Friday night's Old Oaken Bucket game in West Lafayette. Does Purdue have hope of an upset or will the Hoosiers punch their ticket to the Big Ten title game in Indianapolis?

Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman discuss Indiana's quest to complete a perfect 12-0 season with Friday night's Old Oaken Bucket game in West Lafayette. Does Purdue have hope of an upset or will the Hoosiers punch their ticket to the Big Ten title game in Indianapolis?

Mind Your Banners: Breaking down the Bucket game

Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman sit down during the bye week to discuss some interesting talking points around Curt Cignetti's team, as the Hoosiers try to rest and recover themselves ahead of the sprint finish to the season now coming into view.

Chapters:

0:00 -- Intro

3:38 -- Will Fernando Mendoza win the Heisman Trophy?

8:32 -- Why this Heisman race has developed this way

21:53 -- One encouraging trend ahead of Purdue

28:19 -- One discouraging trend ahead of Purdue

32:35 -- How well-represented is Indiana on All-Big Ten teams?

37:41 -- Reasonable expectations from here

Read: https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/indiana/2025/11/17/fernando-mendoza-heisman-odds-indiana-football-stats-julian-sayin-marcel-reed-diego-pavia/87317595007/-defend-effort-shots-miss-darian-devries-incarnate-word/87310163007/

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

Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman sit down during the bye week to discuss some interesting talking points around Curt Cignetti's team, as the Hoosiers try to rest and recover themselves ahead of the sprint finish to the season now coming into view.
Chapters:
0:00 -- Intro
3:38 -- Will Fernando Mendoza win the Heisman Trophy?
8:32 -- Why this Heisman race has developed this way
21:53 -- One encouraging trend ahead of Purdue
28:19 -- One discouraging trend ahead of Purdue
32:35 -- How well-represented is Indiana on All-Big Ten teams?
37:41 -- Reasonable expectations from here
Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.indystar.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fcollege%2Findiana%2F2025%2F11%2F17%2Ffernando-mendoza-heisman-odds-indiana-football-stats-julian-sayin-marcel-reed-diego-pavia%2F87317595007%2F-defend-effort-shots-miss-darian-devries-incarnate-word%2F87310163007%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7CClark.Wade%40indystar.com%7C2ef25399b7544a9736b908de28686419%7Cbc924c8d3e164e88bf26d7fcfb14f2d5%7C0%7C0%7C638992625971479660%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=JrMnyDwz1ImOO7mzjnKxXXbWTiStYFHX6PCR5fLpZm4%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0" data-ogsc="">https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/indiana/2025/11/17/fernando-mendoza-heisman-odds-indiana-football-stats-julian-sayin-marcel-reed-diego-pavia/87317595007/-defend-effort-shots-miss-darian-devries-incarnate-word/87310163007/</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%7C2ef25399b7544a9736b908de28686419%7Cbc924c8d3e164e88bf26d7fcfb14f2d5%7C0%7C0%7C638992625971509942%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=VOUTQtEw%2BzMwTdFV7qI3Q10JDBmfc%2BkVLrORUsUbunA%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1" data-ogsc="">https://profile.indystar.com/newsletters/iu-insider/?ipid=NLsignupIU</a>

Mind Your Banners: Taking stock of Indiana during the bye week

Bloomington Herald-Times' Mike Niziolek and IndyStar's Zach Osterman discuss the ins and outs of Indiana's 31-7 win Saturday over Wisconsin, in the Hoosiers' regular-season home finale.

Bloomington Herald-Times' Mike Niziolek and IndyStar's Zach Osterman discuss the ins and outs of Indiana's 31-7 win Saturday over Wisconsin, in the Hoosiers' regular-season home finale.

Mind Your Banners Postgame: No. 2 Indiana 31, Wisconsin 7

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

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

Mind Your Banners

Social links:

Follow the podcast:

355 clip(s)