With 10 returning starters on offense, Indiana may arguably have the most potential energy of any team in the B1G. Head coach Kevin Wilson has himself an embarrassment of riches at the quarterback position with Tre Roberson, Cameron Coffman, and Nate Sudfeld. The starting job is probably Roberson's to lose, but Coffman could step in and the offense wouldn't miss a beat. So, with that in mind, let's take a look at the Hoosiers' schedule in 2013.
8/29 Indiana State: last year's game was a close 24-17 win for the Hoosiers, so don't expect this game to be a walk in the park. The Sycamores were the only team to beat top-ranked, and eventual 2012 FCS Champion, North Dakota State. Make no mistake about it, the Sycamores are good, and this game will prove to be competitive.
9/7 Navy: this was also a game in 2012, but a 31-30 loss for Indiana. Navy has 6 returning starters on offense, and 7 on defense, so this could also be similar to last year's result. Navy averaged 278.5 YPG, and will return their leading rusher in Gee Gee Greene, who averaged 7.3 yards per carry. He's good at catching balls, too. He had 18 receptions for 309 yards; that's a 17.2 per catch average. With the Hoosiers losing their co-DC, Mike Ekeler, look for the defense to struggle against the Midshipmen.
9/14 Bowling Green: the Falcons went 8-5 last year (6-2 in MAC), but 0-2 against the Top 25. I doubt Indiana will be ranked heading into this game, so the Hoosiers will probably end week three at 2-1.
9/21 Missouri: the Tigers were supposed to be better than the other SEC rookie, Texas A&M, but they proved just the opposite and went 5-7. I really don't know that much about Missouri football other than their "M" isn't as good looking as Michigan's, the notorious "Fifth Down Game" in 1990...and Chase Daniel liked eating boogers...
If Indiana wins this one, the Hoosiers have an opportunity to be a very respectable 3-1 heading into their match-up against Penn State.
10/5 Penn State: this will be the fifth consecutive home game to start Indiana's season, which could be huge in building confidence for a team on the rise. That confidence will probably take a hit as the Nittany Lions walk out of Memorial Stadium with the victory. This is the week that could see the start of a three-game skid that continues on...
10/12 @ Michigan State: the incredibly miserable Mark Dantonio will turn on his scowl, and will signal the coming of the Nothing.
10/19 @ Michigan: the carnage will continue in Ann Arbor. Yep. Carnage. 'Nuff said.
11/2 Minnesota: Although the Gophers are going to be much improved in Jerry Kill's third year, and Ra'Shede Hageman will be eating through the Indiana line, the Hoosiers could shock the Gophers and show that Minnesota isn't the only improving doormat in the Big Ten.
11/9 Illinois: "The horror! The horror!" Winning is the only thing that the Fighting Illini are good at fighting. Congratulations, Indiana, you will probably be 5-4 and just one win away from bowl eligibility.
11/16 @ Wisconsin: Camp Randall is a tough place to play, and although Bucky usually struggles against someone they shouldn't, this won't be that game. Joel Stave, James White, and Jared Abbrederis will be able to exploit a weak Indiana defense on the way to a victory.
11/23 @ Ohio State: Indiana played the Buckeyes close in a night game in Bloomington last year, but Ohio State won't be taken by surprise in the Horseshoe. Braxton Miller will have the Ohio State offense humming, and he could look to repeat his 149 rushing yards from a year ago.
11/30 Purdue: Welcome to victory number six and bowl eligibility, Indiana!