Note: Over the next five days, we'll be previewing each team in the Big Ten, going from worst to first in our conference power rankings. Today, we start with Indiana and Purdue, and the series will continue with two per day through Friday.

11. Indiana Hoosiers

Top Offensive Player: QB Ben Chappell
Scouting the Offense: With the dismissal of QB/WR Kellen Lewis in the spring, this is clearly Chappell's offense. The athletic Lewis, who set 16 school records, was easily the most talented player on the Hoosiers. That being said, they were only 3-9 last year with him. Chappell, a junior who started three games in 2008, will be protected by an offensive line that returns seven players who saw the field last season. It has made for a solid ground game in Bloomington over the last few years, so that may ease the loss of RB Marcus Thigpen. Chappell, however, does not have much to throw to, especially with former WR Ray Fisher switching to corner.

Top Defensive Player: DE Jammie Kirlew
Scouting the Defense: Assuming his transition goes smooth, Fisher can become an impact corner for a secondary that was decimated by injuries last season, having lost three regulars to torn ACLs. And you thought Penn State was ACL-U. Much like the other side of the ball, the strength of this defense is its line, anchored by Kirlew. The senior from Orlando had 10.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss last season and was a finalist for the Ted Hendricks Award, given to the nation's top defensive end. Greg Middleton returns as well. He had a similar season to Kirlew's in 2007 (16 sacks) and was also a finalist for the Hendricks Award before a sub-par campaign in 2008 (four sacks). The linebackers, meanwhile, should take a hit after losing three-year starter Geno Johnson to graduation.

Overall Outlook: Bill Lynch is in his third year as the head coach of the program after taking over for the late Terry Hoeppner before the 2007 season. He'll have his hands full this year without Lewis and has few other playmakers aside from his pass rushers. Expect a slight improvement from last year's 3-9 squad, but a repeat of 2007's bowl appearance might be asking way too much.

-Fortuna