IU's defensive depth is well-documented.
The Hoosiers bring back nine starters on defense from the 2016 season, but that's not the case on the offensive side of the ball.
IU is looking for new go-to options at both running back and wide receiver. The vacancies come after running back Devine Redding left last season for the NFL draft and wide receivers Ricky Jones Jr. and Mitchell Paige graduated.
"We're not elite, we're good. We're young," running backs coach Mike Hart said. "We don't have guys who've played major minutes. We haven't had a guy who's been the guy in that room right now."
A wealth of options exist for IU at running back. Sophomore Devonte Williams, junior Alex Rodriguez and junior Mike Majette are three of IU's most experienced backfield choices.
"We have a lot of potential because we have a lot of backs that can do a lot of different things," Majette said. "Expectations are high."
Majette recorded 180 yards last season but suffered a season-ending injury after eight games.
With his recovery completed, he said he hopes to take advantage of the lack of a clear main running option for IU.
"I definitely see that as an opportunity," Majette said. "Just trying to capitalize on an opportunity that we all have."
It's not just returning players vying for the starting role, though. Freshman running back Morgan Ellison, a 247Sports three-star recruit from Ohio, has been praised by Coach Tom Allen during fall camp.
Regardless of who receives the bulk of the carries to start the season, Hart is hoping to have similar production from the running back position as IU has had in past seasons with Redding and Jordan Howard.
"Obviously success, that's what you want," Hart said. "Definitely you want to produce."
It's less likely that a new face will take over a starting wide receiver spot.
Despite the loss of Jones, IU returns two proven performers in juniors Simmie Cobbs Jr. and Nick Westbrook.
"We just got guys who can make plays and everybody just loves each other," Westbrook said. "We're making sure we're ready, as prepared as we can, to be as confident as we can going in."
Westbrook posted stellar numbers last season, leading IU with 995 receiving yards.
The return of Cobbs, who missed all but one offensive snap in 2016 because of a one-game suspension and a left ankle injury, should bolster the options available to quarterback Richard Lagow in the passing game.
"I really think it's a special, a little kind of bond here, that I haven't seen since my freshman year," Westbrook said.
Part of that bond is the relationship between Westbrook and junior wide receiver Luke Timian.
"Luke and me are probably one of the two closest people on the team," Westbrook said.
Recently put on scholarship by Allen, Timian is another IU wideout who will need to bolster his play this season.
While Timian only has two touchdown receptions in his IU career, his size and speed make him a logical replacement for Paige at the slot receiver spot.
Allen said Timian was bothered last season and during the spring with a nagging hamstring, but the Southlake, Texas native appears to be ready for the 2017 season with no injury concerns.
"He's really proved himself since day one," Westbrook said.
New faces looking to break into the IU team will have quite the occasion to do so Aug. 31 against No. 2 Ohio State. Westbrook said he knows what isn't only demanded of him this season, but also of the IU team.
He experienced this first-hand during his Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics class earlier this week, when he overheard two classmates talking about the season-opening game.
"Just hearing that buzz and hearing that everybody is excited about this game just creates that extra motivation," Westbrook said.
