Indiana Hoosiers
2000 record: 3-8 (2-6).
Coach: Cam Cameron (5th year, 13-31).
Starters returning: 8 offense, 7 defense, 1 kicker.
Outlook: Any offense featuring Antwaan Randle El figures to be both entertaining and dangerous. The Hoosiers led the Big Ten in rushing last season and finished fourth in total offense. Randle El, the most exciting player in the Big Ten, needs just 69 rushing yards and 195 passing yards to become just the first player in college football to pass for 6,000 yards and rush for 3,000 in a career. Then why has Cameron decided to give Randle El time some time at wide receiver this season and use two quarterbacks? Cameron believes the move will make Indiana's offense better overall and force other players to contribute. But opposing defensive coordinators must be chuckling a bit knowing that Randle El will no longer touch the ball on every play.
None of what Cameron and Randle El do in 2001 will matter if one of the worst defenses in America doesn't improve. The Hoosiers finished last in the Big Ten in total defense (457.3 yards), pass efficiency defense (four interceptions, 25 touchdowns) and scoring defense (38.8 points per game). With eight starters back, second-year defensive coordinator James Bell plans no major changes. Huh?
Keep an eye on: Antonio Watson, although Randle El is the team's only legitimate all-star. But since Randle El can't play defense, someone from that unit has to make an impact this season. The most likely candidate might be junior defensive back Watson, who transferred from Hinds Community College in Mississippi. Watson was rated the No. 1 junior college free safety last season and must help solidify a secondary that proved to be helpless week after week in 2000.
Key game: The Big Ten schedule isn't easy, with road games against Wisconsin, Michigan State and Penn State. The key game will be the season-opener at North Carolina State, which rallied to stun the Hoosiers by 41-38 last season. Indiana needs to build momentum and confidence early.
It's a good year if... The Hoosiers show signs of improvement through the season. Considering that the Hoosiers' best finish under Cameron has been 4-7 and considering the league schedule this season provides no sure victories, even a 5-6 mark appears all this team could muster. Forget about a bowl game, Indiana fans. Nonetheless, with Randle El gone after this season Cameron needs to show the program has hope for the future.
Jeff Potrykus covers the Big Ten for the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
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