Mind Your Banners

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...

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.

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 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 encouragi...

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 doubles up this week, this time talking about a pair of 3-0 starts over at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Zach Osterman and Mike Niziolek discuss the good and bad in the early returns from both Teri Moren's team, and Darian DeVries' first IU outfit.

Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman discuss Indiana's dramatic late win at Penn State, the Hoosiers' upcoming visit from Wisconsin, Fernando Mendoza's Heisman campaign, IU's CFP positioning and more. Chapters: 0:00 -- Intro 1:26 -- Final thoughts on Penn State 4:01 -- What we've learned from IU's close wins 15:50 -- Fernando Mendoza's Heisman campaign 27:19 -- Previewing Wisconsin 34:35 -- Injuries 37...

Mike Niziolek (in State College) and Zach Osterman (in West Lafayette) gather to discuss one of the most exhilarating wins in Indiana football history Saturday afternoon, a last-minute, come-from-behind victory at Penn State. It marks the first time the Hoosiers have won in State College, and may very well hand Fernando Mendoza his Heisman moment.   Read:  https://www.indystar.com/story/...

Zach Osterman and Mike Niziolek host this week's Mind Your Banners to discuss the Hoosiers' debut at No. 2 in the College Football Playoff top 25, Indiana's forthcoming test at struggling Penn State, Darian DeVries' official IU debut and more. Chapters: 0:00 -- Intro 0:55 -- IU debuts in top two in CFP 10:58 -- Looking at Penn State 20:15 -- Nittany Lions' defensive danger/struggles 22:55 -- How I...

Sean Fitz, Publisher of Blue White Illustrated in the On3Sports network and longtime friend of the show, joins Zach Osterman to discuss Penn State's season so far, what's gone so wrong in State College, where the Nittany Lions can still pose a threat this weekend and more. Chapters: 0:00 -- Intro 1:58 -- Season so far, and what's gone wrong 7:29 -- The vibe around this game in State College 11:22...

IU Insider Zach Osterman breaks down the first College Football Playoff Top 25, where the Hoosiers fit, what we learned from the committee's first ballot and more. Get IndyStar's IU coverage sent directly to your inbox with our IU Insider newsletter: https://profile.indystar.com/newsletters/iu-insider/?ipid=NLsignupIU

Zach Osterman and Mike Niziolek discuss No. 2 Indiana's demolition job at Maryland on Saturday, 55-10, as Curt Cignetti's team moves one step closer to clinching a place in the Big Ten championship game next month in Indianapolis.

Edward Lee, who covers Maryland football for The Baltimore Sun, joins Zach Osterman on the podcast to discuss this weekend's meeting between the Terrapins and Indiana in College Park. Chapters: 0:00 -- Intro 0:36 -- Maryland's season so far 4:22 -- Malik Washington's growth at quarterback 6:25 -- Fourth-quarter drop-offs 9:31 -- Jalen Huskey's targeting suspension 11:05 -- Maryland D vs. Indiana O...

Zach Osterman and Mike Niziolek meet for their weekly podcast to discuss the Hoosiers' upcoming game at Maryland, Fernando Mendoza's hardening Heisman hopes, Big Ten championship game and College Football Playoff scenarios, and more. Plus, one last word on IU's exhibition win in men's hoops Sunday against Baylor. Chapters: 0:00 -- Intro 1:29 -- IU heading into the stretch run 6:18 -- Talking posts...

Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman check in from Memorial Stadium following the Hoosiers' dominant victory over UCLA on Saturday, a game which saw Indiana reinforce its ability to dominate defensively in conference play.   Get IndyStar's IU coverage sent directly to your inbox with our IU Insider newsletter:  https://profile.indystar.com/newsletters/iu-insider/?ipid=NLsignupIU

Insider Zach Osterman is joined by Jordan Mendoza, college sports reporter with USA Today Sports, to preview this weekend's meeting between the Bruins and Hoosiers in Bloomington. The two talk UCLA's turnaround, Nico Iamaleava's impact and status, and more. Chapters: 0:00 -- Intro 0:45 -- What has changed for UCLA during win streak? 7:26 -- Nico's impact, and health after last week 13:02 -- Pass p...

Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman host the first-ever Mind Your Banners live and in person at Homefield at Tracks, on Kirkwood in downtown Bloomington. A big thanks to Homefield Apparel for hosting, as Mike and Zach unpack the Marian exhibition last Friday, what to take from Indiana's homecoming win over Michigan State, where the Hoosiers' season stands through seven games and what to expect from th...

Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman pick apart the good and bad from Indiana's 38-13 homecoming win Saturday against Michigan State. Discussion includes Fernando Mendoza's performance, the strength of IU's skill group, a mixed-bag day for the defense and more.   Get IndyStar's IU coverage sent directly to your inbox with our IU Insider newsletter:  https://profile.indystar.com/newsletters/iu...

ike Niziolek and Zach Osterman call an emergency podcast to discuss news that broke late Thursday afternoon: Curt Cignetti has signed a new contract with IU, this one running through 2033. Osterman and Niziolek discuss the terms of the deal, what it says about Cignetti's commitment to IU and where the Hoosiers go from here.   Chapters: 0:00 -- Intro 0:59 -- Cignetti's contract details 4:19 --...

The podcast welcomes Graham Couch, columnist for the Lansing State Journal, to take a look at Indiana's next opponent, Michigan State, ahead of the Hoosiers homecoming rivalry meeting with the Spartans in Bloomington.   Read:  https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/indiana/2025/10/13/curt-cignetti-penn-state-coaching-candidate-firing-james-franklin-indiana-football-nil-pat-kraft/8...

Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman host their weekly live podcast, putting a bow on Oregon before looking at this week's matchup against a struggling Michigan State team. What are Curt Cignetti's keys to this game, what's going on in East Lansing and how it might affect Saturday's Old Brass Spittoon matchup. Chapters: 0:00 -- Intro 3:06 -- Tying a bow on Oregon 5:57 -- Michigan State's current troubl...

Mike Niziolek (in Eugene) and Zach Osterman (in Bloomington) huddle to discuss the ins and outs of Indiana's 30-20 road win at Oregon on Saturday. Mike and Zach dive into an excellent defensive performance, what to make of IU offensively, what this win means for this season and beyond.

Zach Osterman and Mike Niziolek welcome James Crepea, Oregon beat reporter for The Oregonian, to the podcast to preview Indiana's top-10 showdown with the Ducks in Eugene. Osterman, Niziolek and Crepea dive into a clutch of important topics, including Oregon quarterback Dante Moore's growth, what the Penn State win meant and whether this Oregon team is Dan Lanning's best so far. (Disclaimer: Podca...

Zach Osterman and Mike Niziolek pick apart one of the most exciting games of the season, and one of Indiana's toughest tests: No. 7 IU at No. 2 Oregon, on Saturday afternoon in Eugene. What does this game teach us about Indiana? What will the Hoosiers need from Fernando Mendoza? What's at stake, win or lose? Zach and Mike explore that and more, on this week's Mind Your Banners. Chapters: 0:00 -- I...

Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman sit down for this week's podcast, examining IU football's 5-0 start, where the Hoosiers stand at the bye week and more. Plus, a lengthy look at Darian DeVries' preseason preparations, and why he's bringing his basketball team to his fan base so intentionally and so often this month.