Big Ten media days preview: Illinois Fighting Illini

The spotlight will shine on new Illinois coach Lovie Smith at Big Ten media days. Derek Neal/Illinois AthleticsThe wait is almost over.

Technically the offseason hasn’t quite ended yet, but the annual appearance for every program at Big Ten media days serves as an unofficial kickoff for the season -- and a welcome reminder that football is nearly back. The event opens next Monday in Chicago with the coach and three players from every team in the league reporting for two days of questions, answers and some predictions sure to go wrong by the time September rolls around.

To help set the scene in advance, this week Big Ten blog is rolling through a list of the hottest topics each team will be…