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Justin Vincent
LSU didn't have a high-powered offense in 2003, but Justin Vincent helped get the job done.
Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Myths, realities of national title teams

What does it really take to win a national title? SI.com's Stewart Mandel examines the myths and realities of champions from the past 10 seasons, and then finds five teams that may fit the national-championship mold in 2004.

•  Profile of a Champion: Finding a formula | TV Guide: 10 games to watch in '04
•  Team previews | TV schedule | Bowl schedule | Sign up for College Pickoff

 SI's SCOUTING REPORTS
1 USC 9 Florida State
2 Oklahoma 10 Kansas State
3 LSU 11 Tennessee
4 Georgia 12 Michigan
5 Miami 13 Auburn
6 Florida 14 Missouri
7 Texas 15 Iowa
8 Ohio State 16 Clemson
• Complete SI Top 25
• Lower Division Rankings
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PREVIEW SCHEDULE
8/3  Nat'l title myths, realities
   Profile of a champion
   5 that fit 'title mold'
   10 games to watch
8/5  Feature: Return of the RBs
8/6  Feature: True freshmen
8/9  Mandel's Mailbag
8/10  SI's Preseason Top 25
8/11  ACC preview
8/12  Big 12 preview
8/13  Big East preview
8/16  Big Ten preview
8/17  Pac-10 preview
8/18  SEC preview
8/19  C-USA, Mt. West, MAC
8/20  Inds., WAC, Sun Belt
8/23  SI's All-Americans
8/24  SI's Heisman Preview
8/25  Bowl Projections
8/26  SI.com's Crystal Ball
8/30  Mandel's Power Rankings
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