Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer, July 24, 2013

Kevin Wilson is making progress at Indiana. He debuted with a 1-11 mark in 2011 and improved to 4-8 last season. This season, Wilson?s Hoosiers are a trendy pick to be a Cinderella team in the Big Ten. It?s true. Indiana, a team that hasn?t been to a bowl since the 2007 season, is viewed by many as a team on the rising.

It makes sense. Indiana was close to a breakthrough last season, dropping close games to Michigan State and Navy, while also pushing Ohio State to the limit. The Hoosiers bring back a wealth of offensive talent from that squad.

?We need to play — for our program to win, have the year we're capable of having, we need to be dynamic at quarterback,? said Wilson. ?We can't be average and let the complementary pieces give us the victories that we need for our program and our fans and alums and school.?

Indiana has some nice options in Tre Roberson, back from an injury, along with Cam Coffman and Nathan Sudfeld. But the real key to the Hoosiers being a surprise team will be the defense.

?Defensively, a lot of guys back,? said Wilson. ?Lost two deep tackles. We're going to be a little young inside, but I think more talented. We have to make significant strides defensively. Quite honestly, it's been embarrassing about how we played in our first two years. So our effort, toughness, needs to be better.?

If it is, this indeed could be a surprise team.

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About Tom Dienhart BTN.com senior writer Tom Dienhart is a veteran sports journalist who covers Big Ten football and men's basketball for BTN.com and BTN TV. Find him on Twitter and Facebook, read all of his work at btn.com/tomdienhart, and subscribe to his posts via RSS. Also, send questions to his weekly mailbag using the form below and read all of his previous answers in his reader mailbag section.

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