We took last week off from the mailbag because you guys didn't come up with enough questions. So keep sending them in, either via Twitter or this link. And then you'll get whip-smart answers like these:

Brian from Portland writes:Is it hard having the greatest name in the world? Also, looking at the Nittany Lions' schedule this year, they play only one true away game (at Ohio State) over their first nine games. Am I crazy to think that even a not-still-at-full-strength Lions team could manage 10 or 11 wins?

Brian Bennett: Having this name is probably as difficult as it is for you to live in Portland with all those brewpubs and great restaurants.

As for Penn State, when you look at the first six games in 2015 -- at Temple, then home against Buffalo, Rutgers, San Diego State, Army and Indiana -- it's not very tough to envision a 6-0 start if the Nittany Lions play close to their potential. That trip to Columbus looms on Oct. 17, and I'm not sure anybody in the country would be able to go and win in the Horseshoe this fall. But that's followed up by games at Maryland, at home vs. Illinois and then at Northwestern, before a closing stretch vs. Michigan and at Michigan State.

There's only two games on that schedule right now -- vs. the Buckeyes and Spartans -- that I'd make Penn State a definite underdog. James Franklin and his staff have a lot of work to do, particularly with a very young offensive line and in making do with leftover effects from the sanctions. But the schedule sets up very well, and with a bounce-back year from Christian Hackenberg, I could see nine wins or even more here. The margin of error, however, remains very small as we saw last year in losses to Illinois, Maryland and Northwestern and a great escape at Rutgers.

Dan from Carefree, Arizona, writes: On this freshman ineligible topic, I am very confused about the number of players who suit up for a game. If you have 70 players on scholarship and 18 graduate you are left with a team of 52 players and no recruits to replace those who left -- not to mention any RS sophomores/juniors that leave early for the NFL. What am I missing here?

Brian Bennett: Dan, your hometown sounds like a wonderful place, especially as I wait in vain here for spring to arrive. But to your point, the "year of readiness" idea really couldn't work without additional scholarships for football. Let's say you have an incoming freshman class of 20 players. Teams are limited right now to 85 scholarships, so that's nearly a quarter of your roster that would be ineligible. You'd probably have to have at least 100 scholarships to make it work. The additional cost of those scholarships, not to mention Title IX implications, is another reason why this probably will never happen.

Mitch C. from Columbus, Ohio, writes: The opener at VaTech is scary. Will the helmets be too small for Ohio State heads? Will the QB competition be more a distraction and divisive even? Obviously, the level of intensity, sharpness of execution, will be lower than the end of last season. Will the new coaching staff fit their assignments smoothly and at the level of the former coaches who moved on? Is Ezekiel Elliot's surgery a portend of other little mishaps and irritants that erode karma? And in Columbus, it is expected that the Buckeyes start right where they left off and get better. Do the fans have any feel for how difficult that will be?

Brian Bennett: There's nothing like fans worrying about their team after they won a national title in convincing fashion. Look, it's not easy to win in Lane Stadium, and I expect that place to be absolutely buzzing on Labor Day night. It will not be an easy atmosphere for Ohio State to play in, and the defending champs will have a huge target on their backs.

But, I'm not too concerned about the Buckeyes losing that game. For one thing, the Hokies simply weren't very good last year (I can't get that 6-3, double overtime win over Wake Forest out of my mind no matter how much hypnosis therapy I undergo) and I'm not sure Frank Beamer can stop the program downturn. Sure, Virginia Tech beat Ohio State 35-21 in Columbus last year, but that's exactly why Urban Meyer's team won't be complacent for this rematch. The Buckeyes will be hungry to avenge their only regular season loss under Meyer (which is still an amazing thing to say).

Some places already list Ohio State as a 17-point favorite in this year's opener. And with good reason.

@BennettESPN Agree that CJ as iowa's QB provides hope for better things in 2015? - Mark Aronowitz (@AronowitzMark) March 4, 2015

Brian Bennett: I like what C.J. Beathard brings to the Iowa offense with his big arm, flair for the dramatic and fearlessness. This attack has been far too bland and predictable for the past few seasons, and Beathard can help stretch the field. The Hawkeyes will also need him to rein in some of his more reckless tendencies. Jake Rudock is the safer choice who has much more experience, but a change might be worth it just to shake things up a bit. I still believe, however, that the key to Iowa's success still starts with a powerful running game, and we didn't see that enough last year.

@BennettESPN @ESPN_BigTen Does Croft have a chance to win minnesotas QB job

— Justin (@MrHooterz) March 4, 2015

Brian Bennett: Lara Croft? Well, I wouldn't put anything past her. Have you seen those biceps? Oh, you probably mean freshman Demry Croft. Well, maybe in 2017. I'm surprised people are still asking about Mitch Leidner's job security. There's no question he's the guy for the Gophers and he's one of the team's best leaders. He's still not a great passer by any means, but he made strides in the bowl game and certainly hasn't had a lot of help at receiver during his career so far. Jerry Kill and his staff are extremely high on Croft, but it seems like a redshirt year would make sense for him in 2015.