Podcast:CrimsonCast Published On: Mon Feb 16 2026 Description: On this episode of CrimsonCast Scott is joined by special guest Connor Onion from the Big Ten Network!Episode HighlightsThe Ultimate Glow-Up: A look back at the wild ride from a three-and-nine team to a 16-0 national champion.When Belief Set In: Connor and the host discuss the exact moment they realized this wasn't a fluke—the Big 10 Championship game against Ohio State.The Heisman Warrior: A breakdown of Fernando Mendoza's incredible season, balancing his "warrior" mentality on the field with his "goofy" social media persona.Breaking College Football: How Indiana’s success is confusing the national media and why Big Ten rivals are now celebrating when they don't have to play the Hoosiers.The Cignetti Factor: Why Curt Cignetti is the perfect coach for Bloomington and how he’s building a legacy that might eventually include multiple statues.Behind the FOX Curtain: Connor takes us inside the network's preseason "referee boot camp" where announcers get quizzed on targeting and new rules.The Transformation of the Rock: Celebrating the new, electric atmosphere at Memorial Stadium and how it finally became a legitimate home-field advantage.00:25 – Welcome to the show: We are national champions!01:31 – Connor Onion on following the journey from 3-9 to 16-002:54 – The turning point: Winning over the skeptics in the Big 10 title game04:52 – Remembering the ominous start vs. Old Dominion09:20 – Media shifts: Preparing for early morning "Big Noon" kickoffs14:18 – A sidebar on the "dumbest T-shirt ever"15:52 – Can anyone replicate the Indiana model?19:43 – Fernando Mendoza: Heisman winner and on-field warrior22:52 – FOX Sports referee boot camp and the mystery of the pivot foot34:55 – Five-year outlook: Is this level of success sustainable?37:51 – The legacy of Curt Cignetti48:58 – From empty tailgates to a sold-out Memorial Stadium51:43 – Closing thoughts and basketball tournament hopes