Indiana football’s first five game times are officially set — and the Hoosiers are opening the season in the national spotlight.

On this episode of The Big Red Carpet, Rhett Lewis breaks down Indiana’s early-season schedule, starting with a Big Noon Kickoff opener against North Texas at Memorial Stadium. Rhett looks at the return storyline around former IU quarterback Tayven Jackson, the challenge of facing a rebuilt North Texas team, and what the opening stretch tells us about Indiana’s place in the national college football conversation.

Rhett also previews the rest of IU’s announced schedule windows, including Howard on Big Ten Network, a tricky Peacock matchup with Western Kentucky, a Friday night Big Ten opener against Northwestern, and an October road trip to Rutgers. Plus: Curt Cignetti’s Indy 500 moment, the upcoming Substack film sessions on Joe Brunner and Indiana’s Kansas State defensive line transfers, and a quick look ahead to a difficult October slate featuring Nebraska, Ohio State, Michigan and Washington.

Subscribe for more Indiana football coverage, transfer portal film sessions, Big Ten schedule analysis, and insider perspective from Rhett Lewis on The Big Red Carpet.

Indiana football just turned a championship season into a historic NFL Draft.

On this episode of The Big Red Carpet, Rhett Lewis recaps a record-setting weekend for the Hoosiers, with eight players selected—breaking a program mark that had stood for nearly 50 years and signaling a new era for IU football.

Rhett takes you pick-by-pick through the class, starting with No. 1 overall selection Fernando Mendoza and what makes him a franchise cornerstone—not just as a quarterback, but as a leader and person.

From there, it’s a deep dive into every Hoosier drafted, including Omar Cooper’s first-round landing spot, D’Angelo Ponds’ perfect scheme fit, and Kaelon Black’s rise into a Day 2 selection.

You’ll also get insight into why teams valued players like Elijah Sarratt, Pat Coogan, and Aiden Fisher, plus a look at undrafted free agents finding their way into NFL camps.More than a recap, this episode closes the book on Indiana’s title run—and shows just how sustainable this program’s rise might be.

It’s a CrimsonCast x The Big Red Carpet crossover as Galen Clavio and Rhett Lewis preview the NFL Draft and break down where Indiana’s championship stars could go — and what a massive draft weekend would mean for the IU football brand moving forward.

They start with the headliner: Fernando Mendoza as the likely No. 1 overall pick to the Las Vegas Raiders, then run through the next wave of Hoosiers with real draft momentum — including Omar Cooper Jr., D’Angelo Ponds, Elijah Sarratt, Aidan Fisher, and more. They also discuss why IU’s developmental pipeline under Curt Cignetti and OC Mike Shanahan is now a tangible NFL selling point, and how “you can’t buy that marketing” moments change recruiting, perception, and portal choices.

Rhett Lewis sits down with Indiana center Pat Coogan for an in-depth conversation on The Big Red Carpet. Coogan reflects on his journey from Notre Dame to Indiana, breaking down the Hoosiers’ national championship season, his leadership on the offensive line, and his path to the NFL Draft.

He also shares incredible insight on quarterback Fernando Mendoza, what makes him special, and the moments that defined Indiana’s historic run.

Plus: Pro Day preview, spring football updates, and what’s next for IU football.

🔔 Subscribe for more Indiana football coverage, interviews, and film breakdowns every week.

Rhett Lewis sits down with Indiana national champion wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. for an in-depth conversation on the latest episode of The Big Red Carpet.

From his legendary Penn State game-winning catch to blazing a 4.42 forty-yard dash at the NFL Combine, Cooper reflects on his journey from Indiana breakout star to potential first-round NFL Draft pick.

Rhett and Omar dive into the moments that defined Indiana’s championship season, the mindset behind his elite run-after-catch ability, and what he’s learned from playing alongside Fernando Mendoza and under Curt Cignetti.

Topics include:

• Cooper’s mindset entering the NFL Draft process

• His 4.42 Combine 40 time and the reaction afterward

• What teams ask during NFL interviews

• The culture that fueled Indiana’s national championship run

• The story behind that Penn State catch

It’s a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most electrifying playmakers in college football and a rising star preparing for the NFL.

Live from Indianapolis at the NFL Scouting Combine, Rhett Lewis and special guest Galen Clavio break down a historic moment for Indiana Hoosiers football.

For the first time in program history, Indiana isn’t just sending players to the Combine — they may have the No. 1 overall pick since the 1930s.

Rhett and Galen dive into:

• Why Fernando Mendoza is QB1 — and why the pre-draft “noise” won’t change that

• The meteoric rise of Omar Cooper as a potential first-round pick

• Draft projections for Elijah Sarratt

• The value and leadership of Pat Coogan

• Why D'Angelo Ponds is one of the most technically sound DBs in this class

• The football IQ that makes Aiden Fisher such a valuable NFL prospect

This episode is part Combine preview, part IU draft celebration, and part inside look at how Indiana has rebuilt a legitimate NFL pipeline.

The Hoosiers aren’t just participating anymore.

They’re setting the tone.

Rhett Lewis delivers his first official podcast comments on last night's incredible victory for Indiana over the Miami Hurricanes, as the Hoosiers claim the first National Championship in program history.

Live from Miami, Rhett Lewis delivers the most comprehensive Big Red Carpet preview yet as Indiana Hoosiers prepare for the national championship game.

After media day and direct conversations with Indiana players and coaches—as well as key voices around the sport—Rhett breaks down exactly how this game will be decided. From the battle at the line of scrimmage, to Fernando Mendoza’s historic heater, to the defensive matchups that could tilt the outcome, this is a full, no-paywall championship preview for Hoosier fans everywhere.

You’ll hear:

• Why the trenches will decide Indiana vs Miami
• How Indiana can neutralize Miami’s elite defensive front
• Why Fernando Mendoza is built for this moment—mentally and physically
• The defensive keys against Miami’s run-first approach
• Rhett’s final prediction—and why he believes Indiana finishes the job

This episode also gives previews of the exclusive Substack interviews with Todd McShay, Sage Steele, and Bill Musgrave, giving fans a taste of the deeper analysis available to subscribers.

If you want to understand why Indiana is here—and how they can win it all—this is the must-watch preview before kickoff.

Rhett gives his initial thoughts on Indiana's 56-22 victory over Oregon in the Peach Bowl and the CFP Semifinal.

Live from Atlanta, Rhett Lewis is joined by former Oregon offensive lineman and NFL veteran Geoff Schwartz for a deep, honest breakdown of the Indiana–Oregon Peach Bowl rematch.

The two dive into why Indiana won the first meeting in Eugene, how pressure and discipline defined the game, and what Oregon must change to flip the outcome. They also compare Fernando Mendoza and Dante Moore, discuss Oregon’s shift toward 12-personnel, Indiana’s linebacker-heavy defensive identity, and why this Hoosiers team keeps winning the biggest moments despite not being built like a traditional powerhouse.

This is film-level insight, trench talk, and postseason chess-match analysis — exactly what Big Red Carpet does best.

👇 Comment below: What’s the single biggest key to this rematch?