Mandel's Top Ten.

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http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writ...ings/index.html

The X factor

Iowa will wield great influence in national-title chase

Posted: Tuesday September 26, 2006 1:50AM; Updated: Tuesday September 26, 2006 10:03PM

The Iowa Hawkeyes come in at No. 12 in this week's Power Rankings -- but they may be No. 1 in importance when it comes to determining this year's national championship matchup.

It's clear at this point that Ohio State and Michigan, both 4-0, are among the elite teams in college football this season. It's also clear that they aren't going to face too many real challenges on their Big Ten schedules. Who's going to touch them? A rebuilding Penn State team? A Michigan State team that imploded against Notre Dame last weekend? The Buckeyes don't face Wisconsin -- a team the Wolverines struggled with for a half last Saturday -- and neither team faces 4-0 Purdue.

It may be that only one remaining team, Iowa, stands in the way of a possible showdown of undefeated teams on Nov. 18 at the Horseshoe. The Hawkeyes host Ohio State on Saturday night and visit Ann Arbor on Oct. 21 with a chance to possibly ruin at least one team's national title hopes -- or to enter themselves into the discussion if they were to upset both.

NCAA Football Power Rankings

Rank LW Team

1 1 Ohio State Buckeyes (4-0)

Through four games, the oft-questioned Buckeyes defense has allowed only eight points per game (No. 7 nationally), helped in large part by their eight interceptions. It will be interesting to see how they fare against Iowa's Drew Tate, the most experienced QB they have faced to date.

Next game: Saturday at Iowa.

2 2 Auburn Tigers (4-0)

Just in case you were worried that the Tigers' running-back assembly line was going to trail off anytime soon, true freshman Ben Tate entered last week's game against Buffalo in the fourth quarter and proceeded to run for 114 yards and two touchdowns on eight carries. He's fourth-string.

Next game: Thursday at South Carolina.

3 3 USC Trojans (3-0)

The injuries keep piling up for the Trojans -- All-America receiver Dwayne Jarrett may miss 2-4 weeks with a sprained shoulder. Oh no! What a dilemma! USC may have to turn to Patrick Turner or Vidal Hazelton, the nation's top-rated receiver prospects each of the past two years.

Next game: Saturday at Arizona.

4 4 Michigan Wolverines (4-0)

This Wolverines defense ... yeah, it's pretty darn good. Ron English's unit held Wisconsin RB P.J. Hill -- who came in averaging 138.3 yards per game -- to 54 yards on 20 carries. Michigan leads the nation in rushing defense, allowing only 18.5 yards per game on the ground.

Next game: Saturday at Minnesota.

5 5 West Virginia Mountaineers (4-0)

East Carolina held the Mountaineers to their lowest scoring output (27 points) in 10 games thanks in large part to limiting RB Steve Slaton to a modest 80 rushing yards. QB Pat White passed for a career-high 216 yards but also had three interceptions. All in all, a rough day for the dynamic duo.

Next game: Oct. 7 at Mississippi State.

6 6 Florida Gators (4-0)

This week begins the murderous four-game stretch Florida fans have been dreading since the schedule was released: Alabama, LSU (Oct. 7), at Auburn (Oct. 14) and Georgia in Jacksonville (Oct. 28). If the Gators manage to go 3-1, they should feel elated. If they go 4-0 ... oh, my!

Next game: Saturday vs. Alabama.

7 7 Texas Longhorns (3-1)

Good to see Henry Melton out there against Iowa State. It seems like the 'Horns' monster tailback rarely sees the field anymore, but after Selvin Young went down with an injury against Iowa State, the 270-pounder rumbled for a 21-yard gain and a two-yard touchdown among his eight carries.

Next game: Saturday vs. Sam Houston State.

8 8 LSU Tigers (3-1)

Following last week's 49-7 drubbing of Tulane, the Tigers have now held five straight opponents (dating back to last year's Peach Bowl) to seven points or less. Next up: Mississippi State, which got shut out in its first two SEC games this season. Is it possible to hold a team to less than zero?

Next game: Saturday vs. Mississippi State.

9 9 Oregon Ducks (3-0)

The Ducks can establish themselves as the clear challenger to USC's Pac-10 throne the next two weeks when they visit both Arizona State and Cal. A split would not be disastrous, but a shutout would hurt severely (though I'm sure Oklahoma fans wouldn't be displeased).

Next game: Saturday at Arizona State.

10 12 Louisville Cardinals (4-0)

Uh oh. Someone's starting to develop a defense to match its already potent offense. Louisville has allowed only 10.3 points per game, 12th nationally. Meanwhile, even without Michael Bush, the Cardinals rank seventh nationally in rushing offense (249.5 yards per game). Scary.

Next game: Oct. 6 at Middle Tennessee.