The McShay Show: Big Ten Championship Reactions—Cignetti Stunner! Indiana Defeats Ohio State!

Podcast: The McShay Show
Host: Todd McShay (Steve), with co-host Tucker
Published by: The Ringer
Date: December 7, 2025
Episode Theme:
An in-depth, immediate reaction to Indiana’s jaw-dropping 13–10 upset win over Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship game, with draft insights, coaching analysis, and a breakdown of the chaos lining up the College Football Playoff picture. Todd and Tucker dissect Indiana’s disciplined, daring defensive game plan, the rise of Fernando Mendoza, and implications for both the NFL Draft and the new 12-team playoff.

Overview

This episode is a live, post-game breakdown of an epic Big Ten Championship in which underdog Indiana upset powerhouse Ohio State. Todd McShay and Tucker bring expert insight—both scouting and schematic—to unpack how Indiana’s disciplined defense, patient offense, and head coach Curt Cignetti’s approach led to one of college football’s most stunning results. The show also pivots to previewing the playoff picture, discussing standout players (especially Heisman favorite Mendoza), and reflecting on the broader implications for the draft and next season.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Indiana’s Defense: A Masterclass in Discipline and Design

[04:06–11:38]

• Opening Take: “Let’s start with the Indiana defense. … I told you about those Indiana linebackers. … The safety Lewis Moore had a big play.”
  —Tucker [04:20]
• Indiana’s focus: Limiting big plays, forcing Ohio State to dink and dunk underneath.
• Discipline and sound tackling were emphasized, with constant high effort and “taking away the top.”
• “Indiana’s defense established itself as one of the best in the country, probably the second best in the country, right behind that Ohio State defense.”
  —Tucker [05:26]
• Schematic complexity: Recognized by Joel Klatt during the broadcast, Indiana confused Ohio State QB Julian Sayin with shifting zone looks—resulting in a first-series interception and frequent third-down struggles:
  • “The complexity of a zone defense is in what they show you pre versus what they actually are post.”
    —Steve [06:00]
• D’Angelo Ponds, a 5'9” corner, repeatedly took on 6'5” WR Jeremiah Smith, displaying tenacity, technique, and football IQ, earning NFL attention.
  • “He held up with instincts and toughness and being crafty … I saw a lot out of him.”
    —Steve [11:38]

Defensive Stats and Personnel Standouts

[13:29–16:43]

• The game was a showcase for both defensive fronts; OSU stars (Kaden Curry, Sonny Styles, Kaden McDonald) also performed, but Indiana LB corps (Relijah Hardy, Isaiah Jones, Lewis Moore) stole the show.
• “Their linebackers are SO good at getting after the quarterback—unique for that team.”
  —Tucker [15:03]
• Credit to Cignetti for making Indiana so fundamentally sound: “I don’t know another team on both sides of the ball as fundamentally sound … gap discipline.”
  —Steve [16:17]
• Indiana’s defense “involves a lot of twisting and a lot of moving because they know they’re not as talented or big.”
  —Steve [17:26]

Coaching: Curt Cignetti’s Influence

[15:43–17:26, 16:03–16:43]

• Cignetti didn’t call a “wild” game but delivered fundamentals and trust in his players and staff, keeping Indiana in the fight as underdogs.
• “He was the wild card and the guy who scared me most. … Fundamentally sound. Gap discipline.”
  —Steve [16:03]

Philosophical Points on Defense

[19:08–22:37]

• Indiana’s defense required “players who are super smart and able to handle everything you’re doing, super disciplined, and tackle well in space.”
  • “If you don’t have players that are smart and execute, then you can get in a world of trouble quick.”
    —Tucker [19:08]
• Indiana succeeded where aggressive, creative defenses often fail—minimizing breakdowns.

Instant Classic: Defensive Football Still Rules

[23:06–23:27]

• “Ferocious, attacking … How can 13–10 be an instant classic? Because of this.”
  —Steve [23:06–23:27]

Indiana’s Offense and the Mendoza Moment

Early Adversity: Injuries and Adjustments

[23:29–27:08]

• QB Fernando Mendoza took a huge hit on the opening series, briefly left before returning.
• WR Omar Cooper, their #1, left with injury—the offense needed new heroes.
• Jonathan Brady (ex-Cal transfer, rapport with Mendoza) and Charlie Becker (TE) stepped up big.
• Charlie Becker: “Six for 126 [yards]—in three games vs. Penn State, Wisconsin, Ohio State, he had 18 catches for 340+ yards. When needed, he delivers.”
  —Steve [27:22–27:38]

Offensive Patience and Rushing Attack

[28:17–28:54]

• Indiana stuck with the run against a daunting OSU defense, with Kalyn Black and Roman Hemby splitting 29 carries for 121 yards.
  • “That OL … not the biggest, but developed into a damn good group.”
    —Steve [28:17]

The Heisman Moment: Fernando Mendoza

Toughness and NFL Traits

[36:21–41:41]

• “Tonight was the game … that third-down throw down the right rail … was the moment.”
  —Steve [36:46]
• Mendoza’s bounce-back after the early hit: “He handled it perfectly—toughness. It was business as usual.”
  —Steve [40:03]
• Stats: 15/23, 222 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT (fluke, tipped off a blocker), 3 sacks (all first half).
• “There were NFL throws in there … smart decision-making, mobility, anticipation … all functional.”
  —Steve [40:36]
• “There are seven or eight NFL dudes on that [OSU] defense at high level.”
  —Steve [40:36]
• Quote on Mendoza’s Draft Rise: “I’m telling you, like, my chips are here … what he’s done all season long … I can put all my chips in now.”
  —Steve [44:00]
• “This is Fernando Mendoza’s [Heisman] to lose.”
  —Steve [37:41]

Broader Reactions: Ohio State and Prospects

[44:26–45:03]

• “Jeremiah Smith is just different every time I see him move … it speaks to how good that Indiana defense was, to do what they did tonight.”
  —Tucker [44:26–44:44]
• Both teams loaded with NFL talent, but Indiana’s discipline and coaching “leveled the playing field.”

Playoff Picture: Projecting the Top 12

[51:07–73:12]

The Five Automatic Bids

• Indiana (Big Ten)
• Georgia (SEC)
• Texas Tech (Big 12)
• Tulane (AAC)
• James Madison (Group of Five, next-highest champ)

“Weird. If you told us in the beginning of the season … Indiana? … Not Ohio State … ACC didn’t get an automatic bid this year?”
—Steve [53:23]

Seven At-Large Bids (McShay Show Consensus)

1. Ohio State
2. Oregon
3. Texas A&M
4. Ole Miss
5. Oklahoma
6. Alabama
7. Notre Dame

• Intel on Selection:
  “I have a job to do … Who are the 12 best teams? Who are the 7 best at-large … I don’t care [head-to-head] when the loss was in August and teams have evolved.”
  —Steve [57:36–59:17]
• Controversy over ND vs. Miami, with Miami fans in the chat criticizing the choice:
  “I feel like I’m taking a chunk out of my soul [leaving out Miami over ND], but it was in August.”
  —Steve [60:42]

Official TMS Top 12 (Seeded)

1. Indiana
2. Georgia
3. Ohio State
4. Texas Tech
5. Oregon
6. Texas A&M
7. Ole Miss
8. Oklahoma
9. Alabama
10. Notre Dame
11. Tulane
12. James Madison

• Projected First-Round Matchups:
  • Oregon vs. JMU
  • Texas A&M vs. Tulane
  • Ole Miss vs. Alabama
  • Oklahoma vs. Notre Dame
• “Two really good games on the 19th and 20th.”
  —Steve [72:55]

Broader Football Talk: Scheduling and Playoff Impacts

[65:20–67:10]

• “Do you think Texas is ever going to schedule Ohio State out of conference again? … Those blockbuster early games? Those are gone.”
  —Tucker [65:44]
• Meaningful implication: Nonconference blockbuster matchups risk playoff positioning under current format.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Game as an Instant Classic:
  “How can 13–10 be an instant classic? … But how can you watch that game and not feel like it was an instant classic?” [23:27]
• Mendoza’s ‘Moment’:
  “Tonight was the game … that third-down throw down the right rail … was the moment.” [36:46]
• On Indiana’s Defense:
  “I kind of fell in love. I’ve had a crush on Indiana all year long—I think I’m in love.” [22:37–22:44]
• Draft Aftermath:
  “D’Angelo Ponds made a lot of money today.” [10:46]
• Selection Dilemma:
  “I have to chip away at my soul … but it was in August … teams have evolved.” [60:42]
• On Chat Engagement:
  “This is the dream. This is what we’ve been building. Thank you so much for being here.” [41:10]
• On Saturday nights:
  “You always get weird on Saturday night. I like it.” [22:47]

Important Timestamps

• 04:06: First analysis of Indiana’s defense and opening thoughts postgame
• 10:46: D’Angelo Ponds discussed as a key NFL prospect and player of the game
• 13:29: Defensive player stat breakdowns for Indiana and Ohio State
• 23:29: Pivot to discuss Indiana’s offense, Becker’s rise
• 28:17: Rushing attack and OL discussion for Indiana
• 36:21: Focused segment on Mendoza’s “moment” and Heisman case
• 51:07: Start of TMS Top 12 (playoff/draft implications debate)
• 65:44: Broader college football scheduling & playoff discussion
• 70:11–73:12: Top 12 seedings and playoff bracket matchups

Final Thoughts

Todd McShay and Tucker delivered a comprehensive, emotionally charged breakdown of a seismic college football result—Indiana’s Big Ten triumph. The episode blended schematic analysis, NFL Draft projections, and a strong sense of “living history” as a new playoff era dawns. Listeners gain insight not only into how Indiana shocked the Buckeyes, but how this result will echo through both the recruiting and professional ranks for years to come.

Useful for: Anyone wanting a full grasp on how Indiana pulled off the upset, why it matters for the postseason and draft, and a flavor of McShay’s dynamic analyst voice and camaraderie with his co-host.

For deep dives into Todd’s mock drafts and extra playoff analysis:
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