Editor’s note: Send questions for future Mailbags to stewart.mandel@fox.com. *** Earlier this summer I basically had to beg for new Mailbag submissions. This week, however, I had more than I could choose from. The season must be getting close. Or it’s because I recently called a bunch of peoples’ favorite teams overrated. Stewart, I’ve been a fan of yours for years, as I think you’re one of the most impartial college sports writers out there. But I’d love to hear the reasoning behind your reaction to the preseason coaches poll on USC (overrated) and Notre Dame (underrated). USC was 9-4 last year, Notre Dame 8-5. And critically, USC absolutely walloped ND in the head-to-head game at the end of last season. How is it that you feel USC at #10 is one of the most overrated teams, and ND at No. 11 is one of the most underrated teams? — Mike, Los Angeles Hey Stewart, I was a little surprised that you heaped scorn on USC as a top-10 team, since Phil Steele has them No. 3 in his preseason rankings and the media picked the Trojans to win the Pac-12. Has Steele just drunk the Trojan Kool-Aid, or does he see something we don’t? …
Continue Reading: Mandel’s Mailbag: Why college football should fear the 8-5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish
