The Hoosiers enter the season as one of the most anticipated teams in Big Ten history. We have a Heisman-caliber quarterback, Michael Penix, who will be healthy for the season opener. Penix will have a new play caller, Charlton Warren, who is coming from Georgia and has a reputation for being an excellent defensive coordinator. The Hoosiers have solid defense that should be even better with the addition of Warren.

We’re 14-7 over the past two years, despite the messy 2020 season.

“That last year wasn’t a fluke,” according to Penix, when asked what Indiana had to prove this season. “We’re a team that can compete with anybody.”

Hoosiers will be aiming to prove 2020 as a new baseline, rather than temporary luck. And they’ll need to do it while navigating the hurdles that come with bucking that history and enjoying the generational success of the past two years.

The Hoosiers begin practice Friday.