Why a 'plus-one' was shot down; post-Perrilloux LSU and more

Hi, Stewart. Last season's proposition to have two Mailbag Crushes was out of bounds because you had already picked Jordana, but I think another year of Ms. Spiro would be great. She gets it. What about you? Any thought to team-up J&J as proposed last year, or could there be a completely new crush on the way? -- Chip Lee, Glen Ellyn, Ill.

True story: I was standing on the sideline at a USC spring practice last month when one of the spectators recognized me, approached me and struck up a conversation. It started out Trojans-related, when all of a sudden, he says: "You know, I didn't agree with your choice for the Mailbag Girl at first but I've definitely come around."

Clearly, the Mailbag Crush has taken on a life of its own. Maybe I'll start soliciting sponsors. Personally, I would love nothing more than another year of Jordana. While she hasn't catapulted to the same kind of fame and fortune as Jenna Fischer did shortly after her coronation (I'm still awaiting my finder's fee), she bought into the concept from Day 1 and has been nothing but cool throughout.

But I know that's not how it works. I think we'd have a full-on mutiny if I didn't pass the torch to a new, fetching femme for 2008, so, as of this moment, the floor is officially open for nominations. You know the main criteria: Under the radar.

We all have our fleeting crushes. I myself have two right now -- Iron Man's Pepper Potts (not so much Gwyneth Paltrow, per se, as her actual character) and, in the guilty pleasure department, Sarah from the new season of Real World (What can I say? She's a fellow journalist) -- but those will probably pass by next week. The actual Mailbag Crush has to stand the test of time. Go to work.

I see you leave out the University of Michigan in your spring rankings. Even with the new coach, the new system and a question mark at QB, you don't see them as a top 25 team? -- Aaron Wolfgang, Ft. Jackson, S.C.

Isn't that like saying, "Even with the ongoing mortgage crisis, plunging stock market and $4-a-gallon gas, you don't see the economy doing well?"

If they haven't already, I would strongly advise all Michigan fans to significantly lower their usual expectation level this coming season. I saw it for myself this spring, and I've talked to fellow writers who visited Ann Arbor as well. All of us came away with the same impression that it's going to be pretty ugly for the Wolverines in Rich Rodriguez's first season. ( Rodriguez has insinuated as much himself.) They have no quarterback, no offensive linemen, no experienced receivers, and because it's a completely new system, none of them have any idea what they're doing out there.

Fortunately Michigan has enough talent on defense to avoid a Notre Dame-level meltdown, but a 6-6 year is a very real possibility. These things are often inevitable whenever there's a coaching change, and that's why I'd advise Michigan followers to lower their immediate expectations. Take heart in the fact that Jim Tressel went 7-5 his first season in Columbus (though he did beat Michigan), Pete Carroll went 6-6 his first season at USC ... and Rodriguez went 3-8 his first season at West Virginia. All three won at least five more games the following year.

In the last four college football seasons we have seen three "mid-majors" crash the BCS party ( Utah in 2004, Boise State in 2006 and Hawaii in 2007). Do you think another mid-major will rise up and earn a spot in a BCS game during the 2008 season? If so, which team has the best chance to make it? -- Brett Butler, Boise, Idaho