The Badger football team was simply outplayed against the Hoosiers last season. The stunning 63-32 defeat at the hands of Antwaan Randle El and Levron Williams essentially unraveled the Badgers’ 2001 campaign, and a win against the Hoosiers in 2002 is on the minds of the entire Wisconsin football team.

Fortunately for the Badgers, the 2002 version of the Hoosiers is very different from last season.

Gerry DiNardo was named the head coach in January, replacing Cam Cameron, who had been head coach at Indiana since 1997. DiNardo had previously held head coaching jobs in the SEC with Louisiana State and Vanderbilt.

DiNardo dresses only 13 seniors and nine returning starters. Much of the load DiNardo has asked the Hoosiers to carry lies in the ability and talent of the 50 underclassmen that suit up every weekend.

Unfortunately, DiNardo draws the unfavorable task of replacing Hoosier great Antwaan Randle El at quarterback. Randle El graduated in the spring and was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round of this year’s NFL draft. Since losing Randle El, DiNardo has given the team’s reins to senior quarterback Gibran Hamdan. A native of San Diego, Md., Hamdan missed the Hoosiers’ first game of the season but has started the last four, recording a 1-3 record behind 943 yards passing and a 50 percent completion percentage.

Hamdan’s primary offensive weapon has been senior wideout Glenn Johnson, who has caught 22 passes on the season for 406 yards and three touchdowns. Johnson’s complementary receiver has been sophomore standout Courtney Roby.

Roby has recorded 19 catches for 436 yards and two touchdowns, creating a formidable and well-sized receiving corps for the Hoosiers. With both receivers standing over six-feet tall, the shorter Badger cornerbacks could have some trouble dealing with their size.

DiNardo’s inspired version of the West Coast offense is also highlighted by two very talented tight ends, who can cause serious damage catching passes off the line. Sophomore Aaron Halterman has been described as having the best hands on the team. Halterman is backed by steady senior Stephen Anthony, who is known primarily as a blocker but has also shown a keen ability in making receptions.

A running game that was once fueled by Randle El and Levron Williams has been replaced with two tailbacks running behind a strong and experienced offensive line, highlighted by team captain and All-American candidate Enoch DeMar. The Hoosier line boasts four upperclassmen and can battle in the trenches with the best of them.

Running behind the Hoosier line are tailbacks Yamar Washington and Brain Lewis. The 5-foot-11, 200-pound Washington has been the primary back for Indiana in his freshman season, recording 347 yards on 78 carries for three touchdowns.

Junior Brian Lewis has rushed for 218 yards on 51 carries and has added another 50 yards on five receptions for the Hoosiers.

A very athletic and speedy defensive line highlights the Indiana defense. Defensive team captain Kris Deilman is a converted tight end, and has made a name for himself on scouting tapes, already recording seven tackles for a loss through five games.

Deilman is teamed with three other upperclassmen on a Hoosier defensive line that likes to use its speed to rock and stunt, causing match-up problems for opposing offensive lines.

Giving up size in the trenches is one thing, but their undersized linebackers have really hurt the Hoosiers. The Indiana linebackers’ lack of size has allowed similarly sized backs like Ohio State’s Maurice Clarett and Kentucky’s Artose Pinner to have big Saturdays.

Inexperience is also a concern, as sophomore Herana-Daze Jones is the only returning starter and the remainder of the crew has seen little playing time.

The most experienced portion of the Hoosier defense is the backfield. Indiana starts four upperclassman and two very steady safeties in Joe Gonzalez and A.C. Carter.

The bottom line for Indiana is that it is still a young team in a rebuilding phase. Cam Cameron may have brought in the most talented player in school history, but Gerry DiNardo and company is trying to build an annual contender.

DiNardo and the Hoosiers could take a big step in reaching this goal by beating the Badgers Saturday in Bloomington.