B1G mailbag: Realistic expectations for Illinois, Ohio State's inexperience

Welcome back to another edition of the Big Ten mailbag. As always, you can send in your questions via Twitter. Keep 'em coming.

Brian Bennett: That's an excellent question. The Lovie Smith hire -- and the strong financial commitment to both him and his staff -- certainly signals an increase in expectations in Champaign. There's really no reason not to aim high.

We are less than a decade removed from the Illini making the Rose Bowl, and the program also has a Sugar Bowl appearance this century. Unlike Rutgers and Maryland, which also hired new coaches this offseason, Illinois doesn't have to climb past superpowers in its own division. Think about: which West Division teams have more natural…