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"You have a better chance of becoming a better football team when you are a better-conditioned team," DiNardo said. "Most of the guys are not going to just try to get through practice. It is not going to be a survival test. It might even be a real football practice instead of just a survival or endurance test." Time will tell, but the transition phase of DiNardo's rebuilding project is complete. Players know the system. The team and staff possess better chemistry. Personnel continues to improve. And the Hoosiers understand that the only relevant expectations are their own and DiNardo's, which for now linger beyond their reach. OFFENSIVE KEYS: Indiana intends to ride its high-octane offense to success. The Hoosiers set a new single-season mark for passing yards (3,020) in their first year under DiNardo and offensive coordinator Al Borges. That record figures to fall when former Notre Dame quarterback Matt LoVecchio makes his highly anticipated debut in Bloomington and provides a major upgrade. Borges' eyes light up when the topic turns to LoVecchio -- and with good reason. LoVecchio possesses the mind, arm and mobility to pull off anything Borges asks.Hoosier receivers figure to cash in on LoVecchio's talent. Courtney Roby and Glenn Johnson excel after the catch and are on par with any Big Ten tandem. Both grabbed more than 50 catches in 2002, an Indiana first, and figure to better all their impressive marks with LoVecchio delivering the ball. Expanded roles for sure-handed No. 3 receiver Tyke Spencer and tight end Aaron Halterman are also expected. Borges' main concern lies with a patchwork offensive line. The guards figure to be strong, with Chris Jahnke and Adam Hines. LoVecchio's wheels figure to cut the line some slack, but it still must provide adequate protection and pave the way for capable running backs Brian Lewis and Yamar Washington. With some holes, Lewis and Washington can provide the balance Indiana needs to exceed expectations. DEFENSIVE KEYS: After absorbing its share of beatings last season, Indiana's defense spent the offseason in the weight room getting bigger, stronger and faster. Defensive coordinator Tim Kish wants the middle of his defense to be this unit's foundation. That's exactly where opponents overwhelmed the Hoosiers a year ago, and depth remains a major concern.Indiana's secondary held up better than expected and continues to make strides. Damien Jones and Leonard Bryant are the best pair of coverage cornerbacks the team has fielded in years. The Hoosiers will deploy three safeties, with senior Joe Gonzalez, the backfield's leader, at free safety, Will Lumpkin at strong safety and Herana-Daze Jones at rover. Questions abound about Indiana's defensive backs. The skepticism stems from a lack of challenges. Hoosiers' opponents usually ran to victory, victimizing Indiana's front seven. The opposition will deal with a bulked-up front six -- IU will run a 4-2-5 this fall -- but the only playmaker is sophomore linebacker Kyle Killion. His presence in the middle could single-handedly lead to a better defense against the run. SPECIAL TEAMS: Bryan Robertson and Tyson Beattie provide Indiana with a solid kicking game. Robertson finally ended the Hoosiers' placekicking woes and is extremely accurate from long range. He's entrenched at kicker, but also serves as the No. 2 punter behind Beattie.FINAL ANALYSIS: DiNardo's rebuilding project marches onward, and the Hoosiers grow closer to a bowl bid every day. It will, however, take more days than the 2003 season holds to make Indiana a legitimate postseason contender.LoVecchio and the offense will post big numbers, but the Hoosiers' undoing will be inexperience and the uncertain status of their offensive and defensive fronts. Indiana's inability to consistently run or stop the run makes Big Ten competition a tall order. Until that changes, DiNardo's reconstruction will continue in Bloomington. • Click here for complete index of 2003 team previews
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