Philadelphia, PA (My Sportsbook) - 2006 SEASON IN REVIEW: The Hoosiers shot out of the gate last season, winning their first two games. Victories over a pair of MAC foes in Western Michigan and Ball State had IU fans thinking this could be the year their team would make a run at the Big Ten elite. Unfortunately, back-to-back losses to Southern Illinois and Connecticut tempered that enthusiasm and fans began to see the Hoosiers for what they were and have been for some time -- another [sometimes] competitive Big Ten afterthought. The league portion of the schedule began with an embarrassing 52-17 loss at home to Wisconsin, but wins in three of their next four games had the Hoosiers thinking about a possible postseason berth, their first since 1993. At 5-4, Indiana simply had to win one of its remaining three games to become bowl eligible, but it wasn't to be as the club dropped all three, falling to Minnesota, Michigan and Purdue. Still, the second year of coach Terry Hoeppner's tenure was deemed something of a success, at least with regard to future expectations, and the success-starved IU faithful began to get on board. Tragically, those good feelings were clouded with the recent passing of Hoeppner after a lengthy illness. Offensive coordinator and former Ball State head coach Bill Lynch takes over.

2007 ANALYSIS:

OFFENSE: The Hoosiers proved to be one of the better passing teams in the Big Ten last year and the hope is that sophomore QB Kellen Lewis will continue to progress with a year of experience under his belt. Lewis hit the mark on 54.9 percent of his throws as a freshman, leading to 2,221 yards and 14 TDs. His 2- to-1 TD-to-INT ratio was remarkable considering the constant pressure he was under. As a result of Lewis' terrific season, 6-7 wideout James Hardy enjoyed another fine year as well, catching 51 balls for 722 yards and 10 scores. A 2006 Second Team All-Big Ten selection, Hardy is being viewed as a solid NFL prospect and could raise his stock considerably with a third straight standout campaign. Junior WR James Bailey who could have a breakout year after catching 40 passes for 401 yards a season ago. While Lewis led the Hoosiers in rushing last year (441 yards, five TDs), the team returns RB Marcus Thigpen, an undersized but fleet-footed junior who logged 98 carries for 387 yards and two TDs in '06. Four of five starters are back along the offensive line, and while the team surrendered 26 sacks a year ago, Lynch hopes this will be the one area the Hoosiers show the most improvement.

DEFENSE: Giving up nearly 33 points and more than 400 total yards per game, the Indiana defense was back on its heels for much of last season. Foes found it particularly easy to run the ball, doing so for 174 ypg in averaging almost five yards per carry. The return of starters Jammie Kirlew and Greg Brown along the defensive line should help bring those numbers down, but a total team effort will be needed to assure a higher level of success. Last year's two top tacklers are gone, but CB Tracy Porter is back after collecting 59 stops and four INTs from his CB spot. The linebackers are led by senior Adam McClurg and junior Geno Johnson, although the best of the bunch might very well be sophomore Will Patterson. In addition to Porter, the IU secondary features at least three other players with starting experience (Leslie Majors, Chris Phillips and Austin Thomas). Having posted just 14 sacks last season, applying pressure on the QB is obviously a sticking point for these Hoosiers, and an area that needs to be addressed immediately.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Junior kicker Austin Starr is back for another season after knocking through 12-of-15 FG attempts in '06. The punting job is up for grabs, but a guy like freshman Chris Hagerup could get the nod with a solid camp. Thigpen is as dangerous a return man as there is in the country after averaging better than 30 yards per return last season, while Porter will likely shag punts once again after enjoying a successful run doing the same last year.

OUTLOOK: It is with a heavy heart that the Hoosiers kick off the 2007 season, as Hoeppner's inspirational battle and tragic passing may give the team the extra boost it needs to get the job done. Unfortunately, good intentions might not be enough as while there are some winnable games on the docket, reaching the six needed to become bowl eligible is far from a lock. Opening against Indiana State should result in victory, and the rest of the non-conference slate could yield a couple more wins. The club will likely need to go at least 3-5 in conference to earn the requisite number of wins to go bowling, but with Lewis, Hardy and Thigpen leading the offense, and what should be an improved defense, don't put it past the Hoosiers to get there.