Opening Vibes & Context (0:00–~3:00) Hell of a week for IU: Little 500 (biggest college weekend), NFL Draft (Thursday), and spring game (Thursday night at Memorial Stadium). Hosts are in high spirits: Weather turning, summer vibes, Cubs win, and some light Bama trolling. Bama fans beef: Discussion of "dusty old trophies," national title count debates (hosts jokingly simplify to "six since '90"), and pre-1998 scheduling critiques (short seasons, fewer games). They hold off deeper dive for later. NFL Draft Talk: Closing the Chapter on the 2025 Champs (~3:00–~24:00) The 2025 Hoosiers (national champs) send a historic group to the draft. Hosts project grades, discuss odds (via FanDuel), and reflect on the program's rise. Key Prospects & Projections: Fernando Mendoza (QB): Lock for No. 1 overall to the Raiders (odds ~ -10,000 to -20,000). First-round grade; fits Raiders' need perfectly. Media consensus is ironclad—huge shock if anyone else goes 1. Omar Cooper Jr. (WR): Strong first-round projection (minus 2,000 to go in Round 1; +650 to Jets at 16). Exciting for Jets fans; first-round grade. D'Angelo Ponds (CB): Odds improving (plus 1,000–1,500 range for Round 1). First-round grade; "just takes one team to love him." Elijah Surratt: Second- or third-round range. Aiden Fisher & Steven Daly (LBs): Third-round grades possible, but could slip to Day 3 (measurables/injury concerns). Still viewed as potential NFL starters/long-term contributors. Mikail Kamara (EDGE): Fourth-round grade; could sneak into third. Production/sack situational but high character and flashes. Roman Hemby (RB/KR): Fourth-round value boosted by kick-return ability (increasingly valuable in tight field-position games). Recent media buzz (Good Morning Football, Kay Adams). Pat Coogan (C): Fifth-round (older/fifth-year guy). Lou Moore (S): Fifth-round (All-American production, but age/sixth-year concerns). Could carve out a multi-year role before competition hits. Riley Nowakowski: Sixth-round (fullback/tight end hybrid; blocking + special teams/gadget appeal). Kalon Black & Devon Boykin: Late-round or UDFA territory (age/productivity mix; Black has RB depth appeal). Overall Takeaways: Potentially 13 draft-eligible guys—historic for IU from a historic team. Validates the talent level many dismissed. Snowball/avalanche effect for recruiting and current locker room confidence (guys measured against NFL-caliber teammates like Mendoza, Cooper, Ponds, Surratt). Emphasis on "power" programs in evaluation; portal era rewards proven production over potential from lower levels. Closing bow: Special opportunity for these guys to chase NFL dreams. Success is circumstantial in the "grown man's league," but they'll always be national champs (etched in history via playoff format). Root for best situations; life/football is hard. Hosts note the draft overlapping the spring game—cool crossover moment, especially for Mendoza. "Mad About Indiana" Segment: Bama/Ty Simpson Drama (~24:00–~40:00+) Deep dive into backlash from Ty Simpson's post-Rose Bowl comments (Alabama lost 38-3 to IU). The Quote (Recapped): Simpson: Defense "don't do much... same thing every down... knew exactly what was going to happen... so well coached... much different than the SEC" (where coverages are unorthodox). Added he got hurt. Hosts' Take: Full context shows Simpson implying he had answers but teammates/execution failed (or he knew but it didn't matter). Not purely complimentary. Bryant Haines' clapback: "Adorable. We also saw everything coming and we just didn't freeze." Hosts loved it—pointed, factual. Alabama fan/media reaction overblown (treating it as punching down on a player; some made press-box stories). Hosts call out selective reading (ignored "they don't do much" and execution praise). Tape doesn't lie: IU dominated. Coping via "well-coached" spin or old titles/scheduling ignores the 35-point beatdown. Broader theme: Every IU success gets discredited ("old roster," "weak schedule," etc.). Hosts push back—demand respect earned on the field. Alabama will get "get back" eventually (history/money), but right now IU is undefeated vs. them. Lesson for IU fans: Don't cope like this when losses come; stay grounded. Light-hearted but firm defense of Haines and the program. Shoutouts to fair Alabama voices (e.g., Voice of College Football crossovers). Spring Game Preview (~40:00–End) Televised on Big Ten Network (8 p.m. ET, Thursday, April 23 at Memorial Stadium; free admission, gates ~6:30). NFL Draft shown on big screens; overlaps with draft proceedings (possible pause/celebration for Mendoza). Key Storylines & What to Watch (Hosts' Top 10-ish Takeaways, Popcorn Style): QB2 Battle: Tyler Cherry (high recruit, post-ACL recovery—watch movement/explosiveness), Grant Wilson (chemistry/glue guy), Josh Hoover (RPO background, leadership), Jacob Bell (bazooka arm, accuracy work), Maverick Geske (knows the position). Cignetti sat some to evaluate; not decided in spring but gives clues. O-Line Continuity: Center competition (Bray Lynch vs. Drew Evans—rooming history, snapping, vocalness). Joe Brunner integration. Baylor Wilkin (future LT) vs. vets like Carter Smith/Ajani. Depth pieces (Leibfried, etc.). Corner Battle: Rylan Gandy vs. A.J. Harris (plus Sharp). Depth allows fresh legs vs. Big Ten WR talent; one could separate. Young/Depth Pieces: Quentin Clark (hybrid/special teams ace, size buzz). Defensive interior (Gabe Hill, Kyler Garcia, McHaney, White—next after Tucker/Yelly). Young LBs (Savage, Jane Williams, Hollander/Olinger). Tight ends (Barker/Schottenbecker/others—blocking vs. receiving packages; rotation questions). Potential Stars/Emerging Guys: Byron Baldwin (fly-around, star potential). Toby "The Freeze" Osunsanmi (pass-rush explosiveness, matchup vs. Wilkin/Ajani). Chaz Preston & Tyler Moore (speed). Nick Marsh (blue-chip addition—watch routes/hands in game setting). Defensive Front: Base 4-5 but multiple looks. Third LB packages? Young DL rotation. Crowd/Energy: Little 500 weekend boost—expect solid turnout (30K+?); gauge program buzz post-championship. Broader: Depth sustainability (less portal reliance?), player development, how freshmen/vets mesh. Hosts' Closing Energy: Celebration of 2025 legacy while building toward more. Exciting, high-vibe week to be a Hoosier. Overall Episode Tone Fun, passionate, truth-seeking IU football talk. Mix of draft hype, historical pushback (Alabama), and forward-looking spring evaluation. Strong chemistry between hosts; accountability on setup/teases. Ends on high note—perfect bow on 2025 while hyping what's next. Key Themes: Respect earned (not given), development/continuity, depth as strength, and enjoying the ride as IU rises. Great episode for fans wanting both reflection and preview. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.