Power Rankings

Oregon: Don't hand West Coast to USC just yet

By Stewart Mandel, SI.com

Jason Fife makes up one half of Oregon's quarterback duo. Otto Greule Jr./Getty Images

Funny, isn't it? Tennessee and Florida State both lost five games last year, but come this preseason found themselves back in their familiar places among the preseason top 15. Why? Because, of course, their long-term track record speaks louder than one year.

On the other hand, Oregon, after slipping to 7-6 a year ago, essentially vanished off the face of the map. Never mind that just a year earlier the Ducks had finished No. 2 in the country. Or that they have the winningest active coach in the Pac-10. Despite their best efforts to get noticed -- billboard, lightning uniforms and, oh yeah, winning -- when the preseason polls came out, Oregon was nowhere to be found. They weren't even close.

East Coast bias strikes again.

Granted, Oregon hasn't been doing it nearly as long as the Vols or 'Noles, but the reality is that Mike Bellotti, just like Phil Fulmer and Bobby Bowden, has built a program that's never going to be down for long. This weekend, while the Vols stifled Florida to reassert themselves in the SEC East and FSU put on a vintage air show in destroying Colorado, the Ducks made a statement that they aren't conceding the West Coast to USC just yet.

In fact, their 31-27 upset of Michigan showcased much the same thing that's made the Trojans so formidable recently: a devastating defensive front. Despite losing freshman All-America tackle Haloti Ngata in the season opener, the Ducks, led by linemen Igor Olshansky, Devan Long, Junior Siavii and Robbie Valenzuela, shut down the nation's leading rusher, Chris Perry, and sacked John Navarre four times.

Oregon's win certainly puts the Ducks in the realm of the national title contenders, but, as has been well documented, such things are tough to come by in the Pac-10. Normally the league's top teams take turns knocking each other off. Why might this year be different?

The Ducks and Trojans don't meet.

NCAA Football Power Rankings Rank LW Team 1 1 Oklahoma Sooners (4-0) My doubts about the Sooners are rapidly evaporating. This team scores points so many different ways you need a rule book to keep track. And suddenly the rest of the Big 12 is starting to wilt. Next game: Oct. 4 at Iowa State. 2 4 Miami Hurricanes (4-0) It's taken me three years, but I've finally figured out the 'Canes. If it's a game they're supposed to win handily, they sleepwalk through it. But dare to suggest things might be close, like with B.C., and they bring the "A" game. Next game: Oct. 2 vs. West Virginia. 3 3 Ohio State Buckeyes (4-0) Oh, it's coming. Karma, we call it. Don't know when, but one of these days, all the good fortune the Buckeyes have cashed in is going to come flying back in the form of a single, nightmarish game that even Will Allen can't rescue. Next game: Saturday vs. Northwestern. 4 5 USC Trojans (3-0) Due to a quirk in the schedule, USC plays four three of its first four conference games on the road, which, combined with last week's bye and a mid-October trip to South Bend, means they'll see the Coliseum just once in six weeks. Next game: Saturday at Cal. 5 6 Virginia Tech Hokies (3-0) Can we finally put the Marcus Vick thing to rest? Bryan Randall was sensational in treacherous conditions against Texas A&M, converting several key third downs and running for a 12-yard touchdown that put things away. Next game: Saturday vs. Connecticut. 6 9 Florida St. Seminoles (4-0) Whatever Chris Rix did over the offseason, it should be prescribed for every maligned quarterback in the country. He looks like a completely different FSU player, one who, dare we say, brought home a Heisman a few years back. Next game: Saturday at Duke. 7 11 LSU Tigers (4-0) Not many teams can pull off a victory the magnitude of LSU's over Georgia with little contribution from its best player. Georgia's defense took Michael Clayton out of the game, but another receiver, Skyler Green, burned them in the end. Next game: Saturday at Mississippi State. 8 12 Tennessee Volunteers (3-0) Looking at the box score, you'd never know how the Vols beat Florida by two touchdowns. This is a team that knows its strength is along the lines, and while it might not be pretty, it's going to try to beat people by wearing them down. Next game: Saturday vs. South Carolina. 9 -- Oregon Ducks (4-0) No time for the victors to enjoy the spoils. A week after arguably the biggest home win in school history, Autzen needs to get itself revved right back up for defending Pac-10 champ Wazzu, possibly the toughest league foe the Duck will face. Next game: Saturday vs. Washington State. 10 2 Michigan Wolverines (3-1) OK, so they're not the superhuman warriors they were made out to be last week, but this is still a very good football team. Problem is, for whatever reason, Lloyd Carr's teams have made a near-annual tradition out of the post-big win letdown. Next game: Saturday vs. Indiana. 11 13 Arkansas Razorbacks (3-0) What a great story the Hogs have on their hands in Cedric Cobbs who, three years after his injury troubles began, has finally roared back into star form, notching his third 100-yard game of the season against North Texas. Next game: Saturday at Alabama. 12 16 Iowa Hawkeyes (4-0) As far as my preseason prognosis for Arizona State (Pac-10 champ) and Iowa (seventh in the Big Ten) ... whoops. Who knew the Hawkeyes, mediocre on defense even amidst an 11-win season last year, would turn into a defensive juggernaut? Next game: Saturday at Michigan State. 13 7 Georgia Bulldogs (3-1) The Dogs have been hit harder by injuries than any major team in the country, and it was bound to catch up eventually. Having top receiver Fred Gibson and tight end Ben Watson might have changed the LSU game significantly. Next game: Oct. 4 vs. Alabama. 14 15 Texas Longhorns (2-1) The Longhorns may have some deficiencies, but not at quarterback. Chance Mock was 8-of-8 for 159 yards and two touchdowns against Rice, while Vince Young was 3-of-5 for 34 and ran seven times for 54 yards. Next game: Saturday vs. Tulane. 15 8 Kansas State Wildcats (4-1) K-State will still be pretty formidable on offense when Ell Roberson returns, but it's safe to say we greatly overestimated the Wildcats' ability to replace several departed stars on defense, as exposed by both Cal and Marshall. Next game: Oct. 4 at Texas. 16 -- Northern Illinois Huskies (3-0) The Huskies get the nod as the MAC's power rankings representative on the strength of two wins over ranked opponents, but know that there's probably a hair of difference between them, Marshall, Toledo, Miami and Bowling Green. Next game: Saturday vs. Iowa State.

Dropped out: Pittsburgh, Florida.

Stewart Mandel updates his Power Rankings every Monday during the season. They also serve as his ballot in the Football Writers Association/Grantland Rice Super 16 Poll, which resumes Oct. 13.