Hoke's College Football Big-Game Breakdown: Week Four

Entering Week Four, the SEC takes center stage with three huge games in the conference. LSU travels to take on Auburn, Florida travels to Tennessee to take on the Vols, and Georgia travels to Arizona State to take on the Sun Devils in a big non-conference game.

Here's a look at the biggest games in the country this week.


No. 6 LSU Tigers (3-0)

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No. 9 Auburn Tigers (3-0)

Must See Rating: 4 out of 5

Key Matchup: LSU pass defense (171 ypg, 37th) vs. Auburn pass offense (162 ypg, 96th)

In what should be another classic SEC West showdown between these two teams, Auburn comes in off a dismal offensive performance that saw them commit 12 penalties and turn the ball over three times against Mississippi State, in a game where they only produced three points.

LSU comes in off two blowouts of Appalachian State and North Texas and will be tested for the first time in 2008 when they travel to Auburn on Saturday. LSU has a strong rushing attack, led by Charles Scott, but is still rotating quarterbacks with Andrew Hatch and Jarrett Lee.

I believe that both teams have a strong right hand—LSU's running game versus Auburn's run defense—but most games are won by which team has the best left hand.

LSU's young secondary will be tested by three and four wideouts by Auburn, and Auburn has to find consistency from quarterback Chris Todd and the offensive line in order to score against this tough LSU defense.

Winner: Auburn

Player of the Game: RB Ben Tate, Auburn

No. 4 Florida Gators (2-0)

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Tennessee Volunteers (1-1)

Must See Rating: 4 out of 5

Key Matchup: Florida rush defense (60 ypg, 13th) vs. Tennessee rush offense (221 ypg, 20th)

Florida and Tennessee renew their rivalry this weekend in Knoxville. The Gators come in off a dominating performance against in-state rival Miami and then getting a week off before the big SEC East showdown against the Vols.

Tim Tebow isn't putting up the ridiculous numbers he was a year ago yet, but the Gator defense looks much improved so far this season. Don't look now, but Percy Harvin might be fully healthy and ready to break out in 2008 this weekend.

The Vols suffered a bad loss on the road at UCLA to start the season. The Vols were beaten by a third string quarterback, and QB Jonathan Crompton has struggled with throwing interceptions so far this season.

The lone bright spot has been the duo of Arian Foster and Monterio Hardesty in the backfield churning out over 200 yards a game on the ground.

Florida comes in brimming with confidence at 2-0 and also reminded of their 59-20 beatdown of the Vols last season in Gainesville.

The key to the game will be Tennessee's ability to run the ball on this improved Florida defense. With the Vols' struggles through the air, Foster and Hardesty have to run the ball and be effective to score points and keep the ball away from Tim Tebow and the high powered Gator offense.

Winner: Florida

Player of the Game: WR Percy Harvin, Florida

No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs (3-0)

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No. 24 Arizona State Sun Devils (2-1)

Must See Rating: 4 out of 5

Key Matchup: Georgia rush offense (193 ypg, 30th) vs. Arizona St. rush defense (129 ypg, 62nd)

In one of the best non-conference games of the season, the Bulldogs make a rare trip out west to take on the Sun Devils in Tempe.

Georgia comes off a big road win over South Carolina in which their offense sputtered a bit, but their defense was strong again. Knowshon Moreno had a solid game but nothing spectacular, and Matt Stafford was consistent.

Arizona State looked like they would be rolling into this game 3-0 and in the top 15, but they were tripped up by UNLV at home last weekend and now have to rebound in a hurry for a strong Georgia team coming to town. The Sun Devils are led by quarterback Rudy Carpenter, who will have to be on his A-game for them to pull off the big upset.

This game will be decided in the trenches. Arizona State has to slow down Knowshon Moreno if they want to win this ballgame. If Moreno gets going, not only will it wear down the ASU defense, but then Stafford will be able to go play action, which the Bulldogs love to do.

Winner: Georgia

Player of the Game: RB Knowshon Moreno, Georgia

Boise State Broncos (2-0)

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No. 12 Oregon Ducks (3-0)

Must See Rating: 3 out of 5

Key Matchup: Boise State rush defense (109 ypg, 45th) vs. Oregon rush offense (323 ypg, 4th)

In an under the radar, big non-conference game, Boise State travels to Eugene to take on the high powered Oregon offense.

Oregon is coming off a big overtime road win at a game Purdue team that many thought could upset the Ducks. It was bittersweet though as Oregon lost starting quarterback Justin Roper for two to four weeks with a leg injury.

Boise State comes in after two relatively easy games with wins over Idaho State and Bowling Green. The Broncos will have to find a way to deal with loud Autzen Stadium in their first road game of the season.

The question will be whether the Broncos can stop the high flying Oregon rushing attack led by LeGarrette Blount and Jeremiah Johnson. Even with a backup at quarterback for Oregon, the Ducks should still be tough to handle on the ground.

Winner: Oregon

Player of the Game: RB Legarette Blount, Oregon

No. 13 Alabama Crimson Tide (3-0)

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Arkansas Razorbacks (2-0)

Must See Rating: 3 out of 5

Key Matchup: Alabama rush offense (206 ypg, 23rd) vs. Arkansas rush defense (114 ypg, 50th)

This SEC west showdown always seems to produce classic games, as shown by last year's last-second win by Alabama at home.

Alabama is feeling a resurgence in 2008, and it's led by the rushing attack of Glen Coffee and freshman Mark Ingram. The defense has been better than expected and is leading the nation in rushing defense so far this season.

The Razorbacks are 2-0, but those two wins came by the smallest of margins with come from behind wins over Western Illinois and Louisiana-Monroe. Bobby Petrino has his work cut out for him, but a win over rival Alabama would be huge to start his tenure in Fayetteville.

Arkansas hasn't shown a lot of consistency on offense so far, having to come from behind in both wins and getting off to slow starts, and Alabama's defense won't make it any easier on Saturday.

The only chance the Hogs have is to slow down the strong running game of the Tide and make them rely on their passing game, which is their weakness so far this season.

Winner: Alabama

Player of the Game: QB John Parker Wilson, Alabama

Notre Dame Fighting Irish (2-0)

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Michigan State Spartans (2-1)

Must See Rating: 3 out of 5

Key Matchup: Notre Dame rush defense (115 ypg, 52nd) vs. MSU rush offense (192 ypg, 31st)

The 72nd Battle for the Megaphone Trophy features a resurgent Notre Dame team coming off a big win over rival Michigan, and a Michigan State team that is 2-1 with a tough three-point loss at Cal to open the season.

The Irish benefited from turnovers last week to come up with a big win over Michigan, and this week their defense will have to step up big time on the road.

Michigan State comes in with one of the better running backs in the country in Javon Ringer. Ringer went off last week for 282 yards rushing and two touchdowns against Florida Atlantic and will be a tough test for the Irish.

Winner: Michigan State

Player of the Game: RB Javon Ringer, Michigan State