Mandel’s Mailbag: Who is on the Mount Rushmore of college football media?

I’ll be at the Horseshoe this weekend for a huge football game, and it will be an emotional moment as Lee Corso says farewell on College GameDay. It’s hard to imagine the show without him, and I can’t wait to see it in person.

With Corso on my mind, a reader asked who belongs on the “Mount Rushmore” of college football media figures. For me, the list is clear:

• Keith Jackson: The legendary voice of college football for four decades. His call on Desmond Howard’s Heisman pose is unforgettable.

• Lee Corso: The heart of GameDay, known for his mascot headgear picks that became a Saturday tradition for millions of fans.

• Brent Musburger: His famous line, “You are looking live,” still gives chills. His voice was behind some of the most iconic plays in college football history.

• Verne Lundquist: Best remembered as the voice of the SEC on CBS during the Tebow, Manziel, Cam Newton, Burrow, and Kick Six era.

Others like Beano Cook, Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, or Rece Davis could also be considered, but those four shaped the way fans experienced the sport.

Another reader wondered why the Miami–Notre Dame rivalry has faded. The simple answer is Miami. From the mid-1980s to the early 2000s, “The U” was one of the sport’s biggest brands, winning five national championships and redefining football culture with swagger and dominance. But after moving from the Big East to the ACC, the program fell off. Their last true flash of dominance was in 2017, with the “Turnover Chain” era.

Notre Dame, meanwhile, regained strength under Brian Kelly and is still nationally relevant with Marcus Freeman. The rivalry lost momentum because the teams hardly play anymore — only four meetings since 1990. Sunday’s matchup gives Miami a chance to prove itself again, and maybe, revive the rivalry.

Questions also came in about Kansas State. Despite losing to Iowa State 24–21 in Week 1, their season is far from over. The defense looked strong early, Avery Johnson showed flashes of brilliance, and new receiver Jerand Bradley stood out. However, the offensive line struggled, and consistency at quarterback remains a concern. Iowa State, meanwhile, showed grit and improvement in the run game, though protection for Rocco Becht was shaky. It’s only Week 1 — too early to write off either team.

On a lighter note, fans asked about the nonstop Dr Pepper and Wendy’s ads that dominate Saturdays. Personally, I love the “Fansville” commercials but not the drink itself. Still, advertising works. Companies measure impact through viewership, social media impressions, and long-term sales. Since “Fansville” launched in 2018, Dr Pepper sales have grown about 40%.

There were also questions about the SEC moving to a nine-game conference schedule in 2026. While some prefer eight games for more non-conference matchups, bigger conferences need nine so teams can face each other more often. Ideally, all Power 4 schools should also play at least one strong non-conference opponent each year for better comparisons.

On coaching buyouts, the numbers are staggering — Lincoln Riley’s is around $90 million, Brian Kelly’s $52 million, and Luke Fickell’s $40 million. With schools also facing player payments from the House settlement, some coaches on the hot seat may survive simply because firing them is too expensive. Still, wealthy boosters often find a way when they want a change badly enough.

As for Group of Five upsets, there are usually about a dozen each season, though that number is shrinking with the transfer portal. Some potential Week 1 upsets include Tulane over Northwestern, Toledo over Kentucky, and Coastal Carolina over Virginia. Northern Illinois could also surprise Maryland, and maybe even Georgia Southern could shock USC.

Lastly, when it comes to stadium food, my favorite was a salmon sandwich at Oregon’s Autzen Stadium. For drinks, nothing beats a tall, cold Coke with crushed ice — and Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta does it best with free refills.

At the end of the day, college football is about the traditions, the voices that shaped it, and the memories we keep — whether from the games, the rivalries, or even the food stands at the stadium.