There is little doubt the Hoosiers have plenty of talent on offense. They will be able to score providing new starters on the offensive line step in and fill voids, particularly the one left by NFL draft pick Isaac Sowells. That is the biggest question mark on this offense is providing big-play and big-time athletes time to make plays.

QB Blake Powers proved he can play at this level a year ago. He threw for 2,305 yards and returns three starting WRs. The biggest playmaker is WR James Hardy.

When you ask yourself which WR led the Big Ten in yards per game, the likes of Ohio State's Ted Ginn Jr. and Santonio Holmes are likely to be the first names. But Hardy led the Big Ten and Hoeppner has to make sure Powers has time to find Hardy and the other WRs in this offense.

"If he keeps doing what he's doing, James Hardy is going to be illegal," Hoeppner said. "I don't know if I've ever seen anybody with his potential. You can't coach tall. He's 6-foot-7, fast, strong and great hands. He's got it all."

The OL isn't the only area of concern. If Indiana upgrades its front seven and is able to get pressure on the QB, Hoeppner may have a better start in 2006 than he did a year ago when he won four of the first five games. OK, so those wins came against Central Michigan, Nicholls State, Kentucky and Illinois, but in years past at least half of those games are the kind Indiana found a way to lose.

Another area Hoeppner is pleased with is upgrading the athleticism of his roster and the fact that 20 redshirt freshman return with a year of his program and positive attitude under their belt. If nothing else, competition is being created at positions and practice should be more competitive.

--Former Indiana QB Gibran Hamdan has been named the offensive MVP of NFL Europe. Hamdan led Amsterdam to the World Bowl championship game, where the Admirals were beaten 22-7 by Frankfurt. He completed a league-high 63 percent of his passes, threw 12 scoring passes and had the best QB rating -- 113.4 -- in the history of the league.

--Coach Terry Hoeppner distinguishes the difference between his football team and his football program. The program is the total package, including fans. Indiana enjoyed a 39 percent increase in ticket sales a year ago and had more people than usual out for the spring game.

--While Powers will start at QB, don't discount the value of backup Kellen Lewis. He didn't play last year, but he opened eyes in April with his elusiveness.

2007 DRAFT PROSPECTS: OL Justin Frye is a fifth year senior and has plenty of experience at LT. He's a bit smallish at 6-5, 296 for the NFL to play LT. WR Jahkeen Gilmore gets lost because of Hardy, but Gilmore could be a second-day draft steal because of his athleticism and speed.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "We play four of our first five games at home, and momentum is everything. Momentum can give a team more confidence that it has ever had, or it can shoot the confidence out of them. If we can get that momentum going, that would be huge." -- WR Lance Bennett on the importance of a hot start by the Hoosiers

RT Chauncey Incarnato -- He transferred to IU from Notre Dame and coming out of Dover High School in Ohio, he was recruited by Ohio State. Incarnato needs to add bulk to his frame, but he moves well. Three line positions are wide open and this is one of them.

RB Marcus Thigpen -- He will have to hold off a steady charge from Bryan Patton and DeMetrius McCray, but Hoeppner asked him to move to RB from WR for a reason.

DE Kenny Kendal -- The 6-2, 255 pounder looked good in spring and is off the best start in the derby to replace Victor Adeyanju.

ROSTER REPORT: DT Keith Burruss has signed a scholarship agreement and will play at Indiana this fall. The 6-2, 269-pound Indianapolis native played at Coffeeville (Kan.) Community College last year after starring at Ben Davis High School.

--WR James Hardy was arrested and charged with domestic battery and interfering with the reporting of a crime after his girlfriend accused him of hitting her and the couple's infant son May 19. Hardy pleaded not guilty to the charges and was ordered to appear in Allen County (Ind.) Superior Court June 5. "We are confident that Mr. Hardy is not guilty of these charges, and we believe that ultimately he will prevail in the defense of these allegations," attorney Randy Hammond said in a statement.

--Mike Yeager, who played for Hoeppner at Miami (Ohio), has been elevated from graduate-assistant to safeties coach.