Next Step(s) seemingly are: Win B10 Championship (which means beating OSU), then winning major bowl game, then qualifying for Final Four, then winning national Championship.
I'm not saying qualifying for final four or winning national championship is an easy one, but I AM saying there is no reason not to have it as "possible" where in the past people would say "could never be done." I don't think that with Tom Allen now.
As per next season, IF you get Penix back and playing well, with Fryefogle and most of the rest of the offense, combine that with most of the defense returning one year older/wiser, plus strong DE added...it literally may be the most talented team of Jr's/Srs in primary starting roles we've ever had. Given OSU NFL exodus every year, the OSU vs. IU game being at IU, maybe next year is as good as any for the art of the possible to happen.
And I do think IU's 2022 recruiting class will be the best one we've had in 10 yrs. Predict 3-4 4-stars minimum, and rest 3-stars, good athletes, etc. We are very close to having really good depth of truly quality P5 level talent, not the old 2-stars we had to beat a MAC school to land. Those to me, are the next steps!