All kidding aside, the BIG is a tough league, and there are always surprise teams. Last year UM and Wisconsin benefitted from a favorable schedule. There was a single win difference between first (UM and UW) and third (Purdue), right? Every game in the BIG is tough.
Purdue had the best overall record of any BIG team at 29-8. IU fell to ninth place at 21-14, and had a losing record (9-11) in the BIG. So far IU has not really laid the ground work for a super season this year based on "having everyone back". Counting on a couple 5-star freshman to turn around a weak team might work, but in the BIG that is unlikely. It usually takes a year of college experience to have talent really blossom.