Do college sports really want rules? How high should Indiana be ranked? Mandel's Mailbag
Emotional Statement: The college sports landscape is a complex web of power struggles, where coaches poach players, administrators urge lawmakers to save the system, and commissioners try to stabilize the NIL/portal market. But amidst the chaos, a simple question lingers: Do college sports truly want rules, or are they just a convenient excuse for the status quo?
Controversial Point: The NCAA's rulebook, despite all the hand-wringing about tampering, classifies it as a Level II violation, resulting in minor penalties. This raises the question: If the rules are so weak, why bother enforcing them at all?
Thought-Provoking Question: If the schools truly want "guardrails," they have to start applying those guardrails to themselves. But who will hold them accountable? And what happens when a local judge, with ties to a major university, can neuter decades-old rules with a temporary restraining order?
Indiana's Ranking: Indiana's low preseason ranking a year ago was due to the assumption that the team would struggle with a tougher schedule. However, the Hoosiers defied expectations, going 16-0. Now, with key players leaving, the question arises: How high should Indiana be ranked in 2026?
Big Ten and SEC's Control: The Big Ten and SEC essentially controlled the Playoff format for 2026 and beyond, ceding power to Tony Petitti and Greg Sankey. This raises the question: Why did they give up so much control, and what does it mean for the future of college football?
Florida State's Victory: Florida State's 31-17 victory over Alabama, a team that won 11 games, raises the question: How can a team with a 2-6 ACC record beat a top-tier program like Alabama?
Coach Hires: The hires of Matt Campbell at Penn State and Ryan Silverfield at Arkansas raise the question: Are these hires upgrades, or are they just a stopgap measure?
CFP Semis vs. March Madness: The College Football Playoff semifinals don't have the same cachet as the March Madness Final Four. Is it the size of the field or the format that makes the difference? And what can college football do to create its own catchy name for the semifinals?
Pac-12's Future: The new, rebuilt Pac-12 will begin conference play next season. Where does it rank among the current Group of 6? And will it be able to earn its first CFP berth in 2026, with four of the American's top programs breaking in new coaches?
Northwestern Journalism Alumni-funded NIL Program: A Northwestern Journalism Alumni-funded NIL program to bring the next Big Ten program out of the bottom tier raises the question: How realistic is this, and what impact could it have on college sports?
Colorado's Future: Colorado's 2026 prospects are uncertain, with Deion's recruiting strategy under scrutiny and the retirement of AD Rick George. Will Colorado consider moving on from Deion if things go poorly in 2026?
North Carolina's Record: North Carolina's 17-9 record with Drake Maye as quarterback raises the question: How much of the blame should be placed on Maye's inability to play defense?
