Can Hoosiers Attend Another Bowl Without Hardy, Porter and Lewis?

The 2007 Indiana Hoosiers finished with a winning record, beat rival Purdue, and reached a bowl game for the first time in over a decade while honoring their deceased coach, Terry Hoeppner, who lost a battle with cancer in June.

Great.

The Hoosiers were a great and inspirational story, and no one can downplay what they achieved.

That being said, cornerback Tracy Porter was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the second round of the NFL Draft, and receiver James Hardy went in the very next pick to the Buffalo Bills. Quarterback Kellen Lewis has been indefinitely suspended, and Hoosier fans aren’t optimistic as to his return.

So what do the 2008 Hoosiers have to offer?

IU’s spring game, which ended with the Cream team defeating the Crimson team 36-34, did not display many of the projected Hoosier star players.

Running back Marcus Thigpen, who could very well be the fastest back in the Big Ten this season, had track commitments. Andrew Means had baseball commitments, while fellow receiver Ray Fisher was out with an injury. Demetrius McCray was on the sidelines and, of course, the suspended Lewis did not appear to be at Memorial Stadium.

In fact, probably the most recognizable name on the field was kicker Austin Starr, who booted the game-winning field goal against Purdue and was a candidate for the Groza Award. The absences of many offensive players gave others an opportunity to show off their skills.

Quarterback Ben Chappell, who is expected to start for the Hoosiers if Lewis doesn’t make a return, showed an improvement in the accuracy of his throws. Chappell completed one pass behind Lewis in 2007 for fourteen yards. His only other pass was an interception.

Second-string running back Bryan Payton got the majority of the hand-offs for the Hoosiers. Payton had 381 yards on 90 carries and four touchdowns last season. He has never fumbled a football at IU.

Jammie Kirlew and Chris Phillips led the way for the Hoosier defense. Kirlew had two sacks while Phillips pulled in an interception.

Other notable names that could make some noise for IU in 2008 are guard Cody Faulkner, wide receivers Brandon Walker-Roby and Matt Ernest, defensive tackles Deonte Mack and Greg Brown, defensive end Greg Middleton, linebackers Geno Johnson and Will Patterson, and defensive backs Nick Polk and Austin Thomas.

The Hoosiers should expect another decent season, no matter what their skill level. Their cream puff schedule gives them an edge to another winning season. The Hoosiers will not face a Bowl Championship Series team outside of the Big Ten.

IU opens with Western Kentucky on Aug. 30 and will also face Mid-American Conference opponents Ball State and Central Michigan, as well as Murray State of the FCS.