Big news for Indiana athletics: Stephen Daley and Kellen Wyatt are eligible to play, after a Monroe County court granted temporary relief in the NCAA eligibility case. The ruling also affects Sam Alexis in men’s basketball, Avry Tatum in volleyball, IU swimmers, and other athletes involved in the case.

In this breaking CrimsonCast update, Galen Clavio explains what the court found, why the NCAA’s treatment of the 2022 recruiting class became central to the dispute, and how the organization’s move toward a five-years-to-play-five model created a major inconsistency. The ruling points specifically to how athletes from the 2022 class who had already played four seasons were excluded while redshirted athletes and later classes were treated differently.

Galen also breaks down the court’s criticism of the NCAA’s rulemaking process, previous eligibility exceptions involving COVID seasons, junior-college transfers and former professional athletes, and why the judge found immediate relief necessary with several college sports seasons already underway.

The temporary order is not necessarily the final word, but for Indiana the immediate impact is significant: Daley and Wyatt can return to the football defense, while Alexis and Tatum also regain eligibility for their respective IU programs.

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Galen Clavio covers a packed week in Indiana Athletics, including No. 2 IU men’s soccer, No. 18 Indiana volleyball, Brooksley Colvin’s women’s basketball commitment and the latest on the eligibility cases involving Stephen Daley and Kellen Wyatt.

The football conversation turns toward Indiana vs. Northwestern on Friday night, when IU gets an exclusive national window on FOX. Galen discusses how dramatically the program’s place in college football has changed — and why this game provides the first major national showcase of the 2026 season.

Finally, Galen compares Indiana’s 2025 and 2026 PFF grades through the opening three games. Despite the criticism surrounding Josh Hoover and the Western Kentucky performance, the numbers show a team playing at a level remarkably similar to where last year’s national champions were at the same point. The run game still needs development, but the early data offers far more reason for patience than panic.

The full Indiana basketball 2026-27 schedule is out, and it gives Darren DeVries and the Hoosiers something they badly need: meaningful résumé opportunities without an overwhelmingly difficult path. Galen Clavio and Scott Caulfield break down IU’s nonconference slate, the Big Ten schedule, the toughest stretches and what Indiana will need to do to get comfortably back into the NCAA Tournament.

The nonconference schedule is a major improvement. Kentucky is back, Arkansas awaits at Madison Square Garden, Syracuse provides another ACC opponent, and Indiana also gets power-conference games against UCF and Missouri. Rather than putting the entire résumé on one massive early-season matchup, IU has multiple opportunities to build a tournament case throughout November and December.

Then comes the Big Ten. Indiana opens conference play with Rutgers at Assembly Hall and a trip to Iowa before moving into a January stretch featuring USC, Oregon, Washington, Michigan and more. Galen and Scott discuss why the schedule looks manageable on paper — but also why Indiana’s recent history makes it dangerous to assume the Hoosiers will simply bank every game they are supposed to win.

A major theme is home-court performance. Indiana gets several of its more difficult opponents at Assembly Hall, including Michigan, Illinois, UCLA and Purdue. If this team wants to move beyond the NCAA Tournament bubble and become a legitimate upper-half Big Ten team, those home games have to become an advantage again.

The guys also dig into the current Bart Torvik projections, which see Indiana as a tournament-level team but show just how many close games could determine the season. Galen argues that this year's group needs to learn how to "exceed the median" rather than continually hovering around .500 in Big Ten play.

What would a successful regular season look like? Galen sees a path to roughly 23 wins if Indiana lives up to its talent level and takes care of business during the softer sections of the schedule. Scott agrees that the opportunity is there — but the Hoosiers have to stop turning projected wins into coin flips.

And basketball is coming quickly. Indiana's exhibition schedule begins in October, meaning football season will still be in full swing when the first real look at DeVries' second IU team arrives.

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Indiana football is 3-0 after a 38-0 shutout of Western Kentucky, yet the reaction around the Hoosiers is surprisingly complicated. Galen Clavio and Scott Caulfield break down what Indiana actually did well, the growing scrutiny around Josh Hoover, the state of the running game and defensive front, and why a comfortable win can still leave fans wanting more.

The box score says domination: Indiana outgained Western Kentucky 513-186 and allowed only 49 yards in the second half. But the game did not always feel that way. Galen and Scott dig into the disconnect between the statistical performance and the eye test, including missed throws, third-down frustrations, inconsistent rushing lanes and a first half that felt flatter than the final score suggests.

Charlie Becker provides the highlight of the day with another explosive touchdown, while Hoover becomes the center of the larger conversation. His ball placement was uneven at times, but Galen and Scott push back on the idea that three games are enough to decide what kind of quarterback he can be. His early production remains comparable to where Kurtis Rourke and Fernando Mendoza were at the same stage of their Indiana seasons, and this offense is still learning what its most reliable answers will be.

The advanced numbers show a similar story. Indiana’s third-down performance against Western Kentucky was a legitimate weakness, but its season-long offensive efficiency remains solid. Turbo Richard flashed again in the running game, while Lee Beebe Jr. had a tougher afternoon as Western Kentucky focused heavily on stopping the run. The tight end room also remains a work in progress as Indiana searches for the kind of dependable third-down option it had in Riley Nowakowski last season.

Defensively, the Hoosiers have now pitched two shutouts in three games. Rolijah Hardy continues to emerge at linebacker, while Indiana’s defensive line and secondary are still working through personnel changes and early-season injuries. Galen and Scott discuss why there are still things to improve without losing sight of what the defense has actually accomplished.

The episode also covers the continuing eligibility uncertainty surrounding Stephen Daley and Kellen Wyatt, Charlie Becker getting a look as a punt returner, Fernando Mendoza’s latest State Farm campaign, and a first look at Indiana’s Friday-night Big Ten opener against Northwestern.

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Indiana football is preparing for Western Kentucky, Fernando Mendoza is back on television in a new State Farm commercial, and the complete Indiana basketball schedule is finally here. Galen Clavio and Kamady Rudd cover all of it in a Friday CrimsonCast before another packed IU sports weekend.

The show starts with Indiana’s final nonconference football game. The Hoosiers dominated Howard and now face a Western Kentucky team that has traditionally given IU problems, even if the 2026 matchup looks much more favorable on paper. Galen and Kamady discuss what can still be learned from a heavily favored Indiana team: execution, focus, depth, and which second-unit players begin emerging before Big Ten play.

It is also going to be another hot afternoon at Memorial Stadium. They discuss the forecast, IU’s decision to allow sealed water bottles into the stadium, and what fans need to know before a long day of tailgating. A listener question leads to a larger conversation about taking young kids to an Indiana football game, including family-friendly tailgate ideas, the band and cheerleaders, the pregame walk, and the importance of letting toddlers dictate the timetable.

Then comes Fernando Mendoza’s new State Farm commercial. Galen and Kamady explain why the spot works so well, how it plays off Mendoza’s personality, and why his ability to make fun of his own wholesome reputation has made him such an enduring favorite with Indiana fans.

The second half turns to IU men’s basketball and the newly released 2026-27 schedule. The discussion covers the early neutral-site games, Arkansas at Madison Square Garden, Kentucky at Lucas Oil Stadium, UCF and Missouri, and a Big Ten slate featuring Michigan, Illinois, UCLA, Northwestern, USC, Oregon, Washington and Purdue. They also discuss the awkward timing of the late-season Purdue game and just how quickly basketball season is approaching.

The episode wraps with the CrimsonCast Dogs of the Week, as Fernando and Jordy earn this week’s honors.

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Indiana is laying 44.5 points against Western Kentucky — and somehow, we’re willing to talk ourselves into it.

This week on CrimsonCASH, James and Scott break down the college football betting board, including Indiana’s matchup with Western Kentucky, a loaded slate of Big Ten picks, the return of the Hoosier Hot Streak, and an absolutely responsible 11-leg moneyline parlay that definitely won’t cause any stress on Saturday. 

🏈 On this episode:

• Indiana vs. Western Kentucky: Can IU cover another massive number?
• Why Western Kentucky gives us an interesting measuring stick for the Hoosier defense
• Big Ten picks including Michigan, Iowa, Penn State, USC-Rutgers, Northwestern-Colorado, Michigan State-Notre Dame and more
• The Hoosier Hot Streak: IU -39.5 paired with UCLA moneyline
• A four-leg parlay featuring Indiana, USC, Northwestern and UCLA
• James unleashes an 11-leg moneyline parlay
• Why those giant parlays always look brilliant before kickoff
• Keegan’s Slice of the Pie CASHES again 🍕
• This week’s Slice of the Pie matchup: LSU vs. Ole Miss

Drop your favorite bet of the weekend in the comments — and tell us which leg is inevitably destroying that 11-leg parlay.

Subscribe for more CrimsonCASH college football picks, betting talk and Indiana coverage all season long.

CrimsonCASH is a proud podcast of the Back Home Network.

TIMESTAMPS / CHAPTERS
00:05:59 — Welcome to CrimsonCASH
00:06:40 — Recapping last week’s bets
00:07:39 — Big Ten betting picks begin
00:11:14 — USC vs. Rutgers
00:12:27 — Colorado vs. Northwestern
00:13:07 — Michigan State vs. Notre Dame
00:13:29 — Purdue vs. UCLA
00:14:11 — Oregon & Ohio State bounce-back spots
00:15:43 — Nebraska & Maryland picks
00:17:35 — Indiana vs. Western Kentucky betting preview
00:18:05 — How IU’s shortened game affected the under
00:23:13 — Hoosier Hot Streak
00:24:58 — The ridiculous 11-leg moneyline parlay
00:28:25 — Keegan’s Slice of the Pie
00:29:19 — LSU vs. Ole Miss: this week’s fan pick

Note: timestamps may not appear as clickable links for every listener depending on platform/app.

Indiana football is 2-0 and closes out its nonconference schedule against Western Kentucky on Saturday at Memorial Stadium. In this CrimsonCast preview, Galen Clavio breaks down the statistical mismatch, what Indiana still needs to improve before Big Ten play, Josh Hoover’s early efficiency, the Hoosiers’ increasingly dangerous rushing attack, and the uncertainty surrounding Stephen Daley and Kellen Wyatt.

The episode opens with the ongoing eligibility situation involving Daley and Wyatt. Their temporary restraining order covered Indiana’s first two games, but their status for Western Kentucky remained unresolved when this episode was recorded. Galen explains the court situation, which also involves IU basketball player Sam Alexis and volleyball player Avery Tatum, and why Indiana is still waiting for clarity.

Then it is time for the matchup itself. Western Kentucky has endured a difficult start, including a 70-20 loss at Georgia, and the early statistical profiles show a major gap between the Hilltoppers and the defending national champions. Galen digs into Indiana’s advanced numbers and identifies one area he would especially like to see improve: creating more consistent push in the running game against an FBS defensive front.

The offensive numbers are already encouraging. Josh Hoover is completing more than 70 percent of his passes with eight touchdowns and no interceptions, putting his early efficiency in the same neighborhood as Kurtis Rourke and Fernando Mendoza. Turbo Richard and Lee Beebe Jr. have developed into a productive two-back attack in the absence of Khobie Martin, while Indiana is averaging more than five-and-a-half yards per rush as a team.

At receiver, Charlie Becker has been absurdly efficient, producing five touchdowns on only seven receptions, while Nick Marsh is averaging more than 20 yards per catch. Galen also looks at Tyler Morris, Shazz Preston, and Davion Chandler, and why Indiana’s combination of receiver depth, blocking demands, and different skill sets gives the offense so many options.

The episode also checks Indiana’s updated FPI win probabilities for the rest of the season, including Northwestern, Nebraska, Michigan, USC, Washington, Ohio State, and Purdue.

Finally, Galen covers the Saturday gameday forecast — including a hot 4 p.m. kickoff, IU’s updated water-bottle policy, Parents Weekend ticket demand, and tailgating conditions — before identifying the Western Kentucky players to watch, including quarterbacks Rodney Tisdale Jr. and Brock Glenn and running back A.J. Allen.

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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.

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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.

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Indiana football moved to 2-0 with a 55-0 win over Howard, and CrimsonCast breaks down what actually mattered in a game the Hoosiers controlled from start to finish. Galen Clavio and Scott Caulfield recap Charlie Becker’s three-touchdown day, the improved running game, Indiana’s defensive response, Josh Hoover’s uneven-but-promising performance, and a shortened fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium.

The show starts with the rarest part of the day: a 55-minute football game. With Indiana fully in control, the fourth quarter was shortened by five minutes, which Galen and Scott both saw as a smart, practical way to avoid unnecessary injuries after the Hoosiers had already gotten what they needed from the matchup.

From there, the “smooth and refreshing moment of the game” belongs to two very different things. Galen highlights Charlie Becker, who caught three touchdown passes and continues to look automatic in an Indiana uniform. Scott picks the five minutes that did not get played, because there was no reason to keep exposing players to hits in a game that had already been decided.

The football analysis begins with the box score and the big-picture correction from Week 1. Indiana dominated Howard statistically, with a massive yardage advantage, a shutout defense, cleaner penalties, and a more natural-looking rushing attack. Lee Beebe Jr. and Turbo Richard looked more decisive, the offensive line created better movement, and the run game felt more organic than it did against North Texas.

The defense also got the response it needed. After a frustrating opener, Bryant Haines’ group gave up almost nothing, adjusted after Howard’s opening drive, tackled better, produced pressure, and added another pick-six to Indiana’s growing defensive highlight reel. Younger players also got involved, including Keishaun Calhoun, who flashed with two sacks.

The biggest concern is still worth watching: Hoover’s downfield ball placement and ball security. Galen and Scott discuss the underthrows, missed deep-ball opportunities, the fumble that Lee Beebe Jr. recovered, and why none of it should create a quarterback controversy with Grant Wilson. Hoover is still clearly the guy, but there are correctable details that need to improve before Northwestern, Nebraska, and the heavier Big Ten schedule.

The second half of the show zooms out to the Big Ten’s rough weekend. Ohio State blew a 23-3 lead at Texas, raising familiar questions about physicality and late-game execution. Oregon looks shaky after coordinator turnover and a stunning loss to Oklahoma State. The broader league picture looks messy, with USC rising, Michigan still strange, Iowa grinding, Illinois and Purdue taking damaging losses, and the SEC conversation already looming over the national narrative.

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