The Big Red Carpet

No. 15 Indiana welcomes top-ranked and undefeated Nebraska to a sold-out Wilkinson Hall for one of the biggest matches in program history. Rhett Lewis sits down with Indiana head coach Steve Aird to discuss the remarkable growth of IU volleyball, the energy surrounding Hoosier athletics and what his team must do to challenge the deepest roster in the country. Aird also explains how Curt Cignetti’s...

Indiana football improved to 5–0 with a dominant 47–15 road victory over Rutgers. Rhett Lewis breaks down a complete performance led by Josh Hoover, Turbo Richard and overwhelming play on both sides of the line of scrimmage. The Hoosiers outrushed Rutgers 329–59, generated 261 yards on 12 explosive runs and produced two 100-yard rushers alongside two 100-yard receivers. Rhett examines Indiana’s of...

Indiana football faced its first real test of the season and responded with a physical Big Ten victory over Northwestern. Rhett Lewis breaks down the toughness and relentless effort that moved the Hoosiers to 4–0, led by a remarkable 200-yard performance from Lee Beebe Jr. Indiana piled up 293 rushing yards, with Josh Hoover, Nick Marsh and the offensive line all contributing to a defining second-...

Indiana football finished nonconference play 3–0 with a 38–0 win over Western Kentucky—and Rhett Lewis explains why the criticism of quarterback Josh Hoover is missing the larger picture. Hoover continued to operate IU’s offense efficiently, while the Hoosiers recorded their second straight shutout behind a decisive goal-line stand, 21 pressures and three fourth-down stops. Rhett also breaks down...

Indiana football overwhelmed Howard 55–0 behind an explosive passing attack, two 100-yard rushers and a suffocating defensive performance. Rhett Lewis breaks down Josh Hoover’s unusual four-touchdown, six-completion performance; Charlie Becker scoring on all three of his catches; and the continued emergence of Shazz Preston and Nick Marsh. He also examines the improved blocking that helped Lee Bee...

Indiana football opened its 2026 season with a 52–16 win over North Texas—and Josh Hoover looked ready to lead the defending national champions. Rhett Lewis breaks down Hoover’s impressive Hoosiers debut, Nick Marsh and Charlie Becker making plays downfield, Lee Beebe Jr.’s tone-setting kickoff return and the early returns from Indiana’s rebuilt defense. He also examines the offensive line, IU’s d...

Indiana football is finally back, and Big Red Carpet joins forces with CrimsonCast for a full preview of the Hoosiers’ 2026 opener against North Texas . Rhett Lewis leads the conversation with Galen Clavio as they break down Josh Hoover , Curt Cignetti’s year-three roster, the defensive front, the running backs, and what IU fans should watch for Saturday at Memorial Stadium. This crossover episode...

Another court ruling has thrown the college football eligibility landscape—and Indiana’s defensive plans—back into uncertainty. Rhett Lewis explains why the U.S. Court of Appeals’ latest action in Wisne v. NCAA has left Stephen Daley and Kellan Wyatt temporarily ineligible, what legal options could come next and how Curt Cignetti might manage the continued uncertainty. Even without Daley and Wyatt...

Fall camp is here, and Rhett Lewis is back on The Big Red Carpet to preview the biggest questions facing Indiana football as the Hoosiers begin their title defense. Rhett opens with the huge news that Stephen Daley is back, adding even more depth and star power to what may already be one of the best defensive fronts in college football. From there, he breaks down the five biggest questions for IU...

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 challeng...

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 Fernand...

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...

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 t...

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 t...

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...

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 heate...

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 Or...

Indiana isn’t slowing down — it’s reloading . Rhett Lewis breaks down a massive day in the transfer portal as the Hoosiers continue to build on the most successful season in program history. From the expected arrival of quarterback Josh Hoover to the addition of Nick Marsh , one of the most physically imposing wide receivers in the Big Ten, Rhett explains why Indiana’s portal strategy is both aggr...

On this special edition of BRC, Rhett Lewis recaps an amazing day for Indiana football as the Hoosiers defeat the Alabama Crimson Tide 38-3 to win the Rose Bowl and move on to the CFP Semifinals.

On the eve of Indiana’s first Rose Bowl appearance since 1968, Rhett Lewis delivers his final, big-picture keys for the Hoosiers’ matchup with Alabama — focusing on mindset, defensive pressure, offensive adaptability, and why Indiana’s physical identity still gives them an edge on college football’s biggest stage. Rhett explains how Curt Cignetti’s messaging keeps complacency out of the building,...

Rhett Lewis dives into Indiana’s upcoming Rose Bowl showdown with Alabama , breaking down what the tape shows from the Crimson Tide’s win over Oklahoma and where the Hoosiers can find advantages on both sides of the ball. Rhett analyzes Alabama’s defensive structure, coverage tendencies, and pressure looks — and explains how Fernando Mendoza’s processing and poise will be tested on college footbal...

It’s a CrimsonCast x The Big Red Carpet crossover as Galen Clavio and Rhett Lewis break down the first three College Football Playoff games —with the deepest focus on Alabama’s 34–24 comeback win at Oklahoma and what it tells us about the Tide heading into the Rose Bowl CFP quarterfinal vs Indiana . They discuss what worked (and what still looks vulnerable) for Alabama, how Indiana’s defense under...

History made. Fernando Mendoza is the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner — the first in Indiana football history — and Rhett Lewis takes you inside one of the most meaningful moments the program has ever experienced. Rhett reflects on the New York City ceremony, why Mendoza’s season was defined by moments (not just numbers) , and how Indiana’s rise made this win feel inevitable. He breaks down Fernando’s...