Before the season, Indiana thought it’d be in position to compete in the Big Ten East.

But things haven’t gone as planned. The Hoosiers’ offense is struggling to find its footing behind a shaky offensive line, a quarterback who looks rusty after rehabbing a knee injury in the offseason and a defense that isn’t making the game-deciding plays it did a year ago. And now injuries are mounting, too.

It’s left IU with a 2-3 record, with all 3 losses to top-10 opponents — Iowa, Cincinnati and Penn State, each of which has positioned itself for a second-half run at the College Football Playoff.

Let’s take a look at the 5 biggest questions facing the Hoosiers at their bye.

Is Michael Penix Jr. healthy? And is he the man?

Questions that Indiana didn’t want to have to face this season: Is Michael Penix Jr. healthy? And even if he is, is he playing well enough to continue to be the Hoosiers’ starting quarterback?

The answer to the first is unknown; Penix landed awkwardly early in the second half of the Hoosiers’ loss at Penn State on Saturday, injuring his left (throwing) shoulder. He left the game, being replaced by backup Jack Tuttle, and will be reevaluated. Injuries have long been an issue for the veteran quarterback, who has seen his first 3 seasons end early, twice by blowing out a knee and once with an upper-body issue.

Perhaps it’s why Penix has struggled so mightily this season, looking uncomfortable both in the pocket and out, throwing out of rhythm, missing receivers and turning the ball over. He has 7 interceptions, nearly as many as he had in his first 3 years combined, while hitting only 54 percent of his passes.

Yet before the injury Saturday, coach Tom Allen didn’t seem interested in a quarterback change, even if it was only temporary. He was forced into the switch after Penix’s injury, as Tuttle came in, moved the Hoosiers into field goal range — it was missed — but also threw another pick.

Allen likely feels like he has to stick with Penix, because he represents Indiana’s only chance in an upcoming slate that includes Michigan State, Ohio State and Michigan.

Can anything be done to fix the O-line?

Unfortunately, Indiana might be stuck trying to roll with the group it’s got.

It’s not as if the line has been horrendous, but it’s not been a positive, either. Penix, who has been sacked 8 times, has had to dance around pressure frequently, a reason why he’s not been able to find any consistency in the passing game. But IU has largely used only 6 offensive linemen all season, with the same starting five for the last 4 games: Luke Haggard, Mike Katic, Dylan Powell, Matthew Bedford and Caleb Jones.

But perhaps bigger than the pass protection issue is the run blocking. IU ranks second-to-last in the Big Ten in rushing yards, averaging only 122.2 per game. What can be done? Not a ton from a personnel perspective. IU isn’t deep enough to shuffle; it’ll have to ride with who it has.

Can the D help the O?

It was the biggest reason why the Hoosiers turned into one of the best stories in the Big Ten last season, that the defense turned over the opponent so many times.

As a result, the offense was gifted about a touchdown a game, on average, by a defense that routinely created turnovers and gave their offensive counterparts good field position. It’s just not happening this season. IU’s defense has recovered 4 fumbles but has only 2 interceptions, after it collected 20 turnovers in only 8 games.

Without those bonus opportunities, IU’s offense is struggling to score in the same fashion that it was a year ago, averaging less than 24 points per game, the 10th-best mark in the Big Ten.

Will the Hoosiers stay focused?

It’s on Allen and his staff to make sure the Hoosiers stick together, because it’d be pretty easy for them to break apart, considering the reality of a long season might be setting in.

IU isn’t going to reach its preseason expectations: It won’t compete with the Ohio States and Penn States for a Big Ten East crown. It won’t get to a New Year’s Day bowl. So Allen has to adjust the Hoosiers’ expectations, getting them to focus on smaller goals, like winning a game. Given the schedule, that won’t be easy.

Will IU bowl?

Allen and Co. have more on their plate than starting to add up potential Ws in the second half of the season. But we can.

Indiana needs 4 wins, with games vs. No. 11 Michigan State, No. 7 Ohio State, at Maryland, at No. 9 Michigan, Rutgers, Minnesota and at Purdue. The most likely wins are the Terrapins, Scarlet Knights, Gophers and Boilermakers, although those might be toss-ups rather than gimmes. And there’s no margin for errors, unless IU can score a major upset.

Point being: It’s going to be extremely difficult for IU to bowl for a third straight year.