From everything I can gather the back 7 are better than last year.  The real question is do we have the D-line improvement to step up again this year.  We'll  see. We certainly hope so.

Mostly optimism from the way this staff coaching results in overachieving I think this outfit ends up no lower than 4th. 

Agree, the DL play will be key if Indiana is going to be a factor in the Big Ten race. I do trust Coach Cignetti & staff to have both sides of the ball operating on all cylinders.

Rankings like this are interesting because it's unclear exactly what the criteria is. Are you ranking based on talent? Expected yards against? Expected points against? For instance, does Iowa's defense play to quite the same level with a new offensive philosophy and perhaps a tiny bit quicker tempo?

I know some might be surprised by Minnesota being ahead of IU but the Gophers do have good personnel coming back including a fantastic young safety in Koi Perich. They did lose their defensive coordinator and that might end up hurting them a bit. I'd have IU ahead of them. 

I think Oregon is underrated here. The Ducks have a ton of talent. Good depth on the defensive line, I think they'll actually get the most out of Bear Alexander, Matayo Uiagalelei might be the best pass rusher in the Big Ten, Devon Jackson is an emerging star at linebacker and he'll be paired with last season's leading tackler, the secondary is young and inexperienced but they addressed that with some really good transfer additions including Thieneman (who should excel with better players around him and a more confined role) from Purdue. 

It's probably going to be somewhat reminiscent of the old Indiana to the extent that depth probably isn't there to sustain very many injuries.  Different to the extent that some of the lead dogs are really REALLY good.

IMO, it all comes down to the DL transfers and whether they're able to recreate what we saw last year with being disruptive with the front 4 or only sending 1 on a blitz and leaving the back 7 (or 6) to do their thing without leaving anyone on an island for very long.

Its all about stopping the run.  Last year IU did a great job stopping the run.  Putting other teams in 2nd and 3rd in long situations.  Even the ND game.  They had that long run for a TD but avg 2.2yds (I believe) per carry outside of that long run.   CJ West and James Carpenter were large gentlemen and helped.   I can see our team being more disruptive because Hosea Wheeler is really good at reading plays and getting in gaps while West was able to use his size to dictate things.  I am hoping we can maintain that run D but I do expect we are going to be able to get after the QB more and have better pass D.

@tmft yeah, depth can be a real issue if injuries hit, but I would argue at only certain positions. 

I feel good about corner and our defensive line.  LB seems to be 3 deep in terms of proven talent.  Safety, we've got Farrell, Boykin and sweet Lou that all have real game experience, but after them, who do we have thar we know we can rely on.  Bonds started to play more towards the end of the year.  Baldwin, although talented, is still a freshman.   

We will probably need some guys to step up, but I have supreme confidence Haines will have us schemed for success.