Indiana Hoosiers' Days As the Worst Big Ten Football Team Are Over

I know, you probably read the headline and thought that I'm crazy for writing something about Indiana Football. That said, there really hasn't been much to talk about the basketball team in Bloomington either. So I guess that this could be a breath of fresh air for all Hoosier fans out there.

Last season, Indiana went 4-8, with a 1-7 Big Ten record. However, all the close games that they played in last season can only help them as they head into the 2010 campaign.

This year, the Hoosiers return every starter except for two offensive linemen. Ben Chappel returns from a good showing at starting quarterback, but he has to focus more on protecting the football after his 15 interception campaign last season. He is joined by a great receiving crew in Tandon Doss and Damarlo Belcher, as well as running back Darius Willis.

Indiana definitely has the offensive tools to be successful, but their defense needs to step up. Their defense lost two defensive ends, two linebackers, a cornerback, and both safeties from a defense that wasn't very good. So it will be a lot of new faces on that side of the football for the Hoosiers. They will live and die by their offense, but if the defense can get a few big stops, they can be a competitive team in the Big Ten this season.

They start off the season with three non-conference games which should all result in wins for the Hoosiers. In Week One, they face Towson, followed by Western Kentucky, and Akron, to round out the non-conference schedule. While those all should be wins, the hard part of the schedule comes in after those three cupcakes.

Their first Big Ten matchup shows them against Michigan, which could be a winnable game for the Hoosiers, as it will be a shootout in Bloomington, and the Hoosiers do have the offense to win games like that.

After Michigan will be a loss against Ohio State, but it is followed by Arkansas State, Illinois, and Northwestern, which could be the most critical stretch for the Hoosiers. No doubt, they should be able to handle Arkansas State, but if they plan to be bowl eligible at the end of the season, Northwestern and Illinois are two games that they have to get.

If they win their four out-of-conference games, which they should, Indiana needs to win just two more games in Big Ten play to be .500 at the end of the season.

After that series of games, they face three tough games against Iowa, Wisconsin, and Penn State, before finishing up in Lafayette against Purdue.

Again, the rivalry game against the Boilermakers is a must win for the Hoosiers, as they plan to stay away from the bottom of the Big Ten.

All in all, the Hoosiers have a great chance of going 6-6 this season and becoming bowl eligible, but being 7-5 isn't out of the question. If the defense can support this strong offense, it could be a big step up for Indiana football this season.

Bloomington, get your popcorn ready, it's do or die for Bill Lynch, and he won't go without a fight.