Florida's greatest asset, Heisman dark horses, MJ medleys and more

Some things never change, do they? I haven't published an article since mid-February, haven't posted a top 25 since January, yet this e-mail sneaks into my Inbox June 3. Somehow I manage to be biased even when I'm not here.

I believe a team should at least do something to earn its spot in the preseason top 25. Most prognosticators seem to think a more experienced roster combined with a laughable schedule should lift the Fighting Irish into the top 25 this season, and they may well be right. I'm just saying a team that finished the previous year 7-6, ended its regular season losing to 3-9 Syracuse and getting pummeled by USC and then notched its "breakthrough" bowl win against a fourth-place WAC team hasn't exactly earned that recognition just yet.

Stewart, what do we know about the new Pac-10 commish? Is Larry Scott any less of a Rose Bowl patsy than Tom Hansen?
--@toedog_10

I don't know too much about Scott, but I look forward to speaking with him once he gets settled in his new digs. We do know he comes from the Women's Tennis Association, which may seem strange at first (all the other Division I-A commissioners were previous college administrators), but I think it's good for the Pac-10 to bring in someone with more of a sports-business mindset. The league desperately needs to raise its profile nationally, particularly in regards to its television arrangements, and many credit Scott with having done just that for the WTA.

As for whether he'll be "any less of a Rose Bowl patsy" -- I'm not even sure what that means, but I assume it relates to the BCS and Pac-10's long-held opposition to a playoff. First of all, there were three other conferences -- the Big East, Big Ten and Big 12 -- that blocked a plus-one the last time it came up. Secondly, even if Scott does turn out to be more receptive to change, I can't imagine any Pac-10 commissioner would ever do anything to impinge on that conference's relationship with the Rose Bowl. Why would he? It's one of the greatest traditions in sports, it's played in the conference's backyard and the league's champ gets an annual, automatic invite. Believe me, as long as there's a Rose Bowl, the Pac-10 will be affiliated with it.

Your buddy Andy Staples let us all in on your dirty secret: You're getting rid of the Mailbag Crush!!! Would you really do something so awful, or is he playing a welcome-back joke on you?
-- Adam Pence, Kalamazoo, Mich.

I didn't say I'm getting rid of the Crush, but I did let certain co-workers know I was considering retiring the bit. This caused a minor outrage, thus eliciting Andy's comment as well as a Twitter discussion led by Hot Clicks czar Jimmy Traina. I've made no firm decision either way.

But here's the thing. Did you watch the most recent season of Big Love? Do you remember how all hell broke loose when Bill tried to add a fourth lady to the stable? I feel like we're sitting on a holy triumvirate of crushes right now -- the irrepressibly sweet Jenna Fischer; Jordana Sprio, the drop-dead knockout who can hang with the boys and the hilariously raunchy Kaitlin Olson. Personally, I fear we'd be pushing our luck by chasing after a fourth, but I'm merely a conduit on behalf of my readers. I'm sure you guys will let me know whether you feel another Crush coming on.