Stanford looks for its first win in South Bend in 18 years (Getty Images) The first day of autumn marks the heating up of the college football schedule. Week 4 around the college football landscape provides us a tantalizing slate of match-ups that will go some way in determining the position in the conference races, heading into the critical month of October. With a good balance of inter-conference games and conference showdowns, we take a look at the battles and games that will define this weekend. Match-ups to Watch: Stanford QB Andrew Luck vs. the Notre Dame defense The Irish largely whiffed in their first primetime match-up against an explosive QB in Denard Robinson. Their defense hasn't been great, allowing 24.7 points a game and 443 yards a game-only good for 102nd in FBS. The Irish defense faces an even a bigger test when Luck brings a potent Stanford offense to South Bend in search of their first 4-0 start since 1986. Luck has been efficient through the first three games, completing 64.3 percent of his passes and throwing 10 TDs with no picks. That includes a 4 TD performance in the Cardinal's 68-24 win over Wake Forest last week which was the program's highest point total since 1968. Not to be underrated is the Stanford running attack which gives balance to passing game lead by Luck. It averages 242 yards a game-good for 10th in the nation. Alabama RBs Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson vs. the Arkansas defense Although their showing last week was against an inferior opponent in Duke, the return of Mark Ingram with doses of Trent Richardson showed how scary-good the Tide offense can be. If Ingram can get going and the Tide can throw a changeup with Richardson in offensive series, it will open things for QB Greg McElroy and the passing game. The Razorback defense held Ingram to 50 yards last year and dared McElroy to beat them. There was only one problem-he did. He threw for 291 yards and three TDs in Tuscaloosa last year. Arkansas can't afford to get in a shootout with Alabama. That's not a road that Ryan Mallett and Co. wants to travel. The first day of autumn marks the heating up of the college football schedule. Week 4 around the college football landscape provides us a tantalizing slate of match-ups that will go some way in determining the position in the conference races, heading into the critical month of October. With a good balance of inter-conference games and conference showdowns, we take a look at the battles and games that will define this weekend. Match-ups to Watch: Stanford QB Andrew Luck vs. the Notre Dame defense The Irish largely whiffed in their first primetime match-up against an explosive QB in Denard Robinson. Their defense hasn't been great, allowing 24.7 points a game and 443 yards a game-only good for 102nd in FBS. The Irish defense faces an even a bigger test when Luck brings a potent Stanford offense to South Bend in search of their first 4-0 start since 1986. Luck has been efficient through the first three games, completing 64.3 percent of his passes and throwing 10 TDs with no picks. That includes a 4 TD performance in the Cardinal's 68-24 win over Wake Forest last week which was the program's highest point total since 1968. Not to be underrated is the Stanford running attack which gives balance to passing game lead by Luck. It averages 242 yards a game-good for 10th in the nation. Oregon's State's the Brothers Rogers vs. Boise State D In order for the Beavers to have a chance, the Rogers brothers have to get going. They rank 90th and 99th in rushing and passing in the nation, respectively, and 107th overall. They face a Boise State defense that frustrated Virginia Tech's running attack and constantly harassed Tyrod Taylor in their marquee match-ups earlier this season. Oregon probably needs 150 yards of total offense from both Jacquizz and James to stay in this game. Now onto the picks: #24 Oregon State @ #3 Boise State 8. P.M. This, in essence, is the Broncos last big test before heading into WAC play next month. Boise State comes in riding high after a 51-6 thrashing of Wyoming last week and Oregon State had to hold on to beat Louisville 35-28. Kellen Moore has continued to play well, throwing 5 TDs against 1 INT, and the Boise running game has produced and average of 221 yards/game to help keep opposing defenses off balance. The Beavers have struggled on offense and that might be in part of defenses daring QB Ryan Katz to beat them. He has yet to throw a pick this season, but hasn't produced the numbers to put the offense to the next level. He's completed only 47 percent of his passes thus far. Oregon State's defense allowed an average of 453 yards through their first two games. That spells big trouble in Boise. The Broncos will roll on offense and move a step closer to yet another undefeated season. Pick: Boise State by 20 #16 Stanford @ Notre Dame 3:30 P.M. The Cardinal roll into South Bend with the nation's third-ranked scoring offense, averaging 51.7 points per game in its first three contests. QB Andrew Luck has been as good as advertised, but the run game has given Stanford dangerous balance in its attack. Notre Dame has the potential to score points, but onus for the Irish may be on its rushing attack. Armando Allen, Jr. (avg. of 5.5 ypc) and Co. may be best served to help play some keep-away from the potent Cardinal attack. Notre Dame QB Dayne Crist will have to play mistake-free football. The last thing that Brian Kelly wants is his offense ceding good field position to Stanford's offense, leading to easy points on the board. While you're flipping around on your TV set, make sure to check out some of this game. It will be a show. The Cardinal have not won in South Bend in 18 years. They break that streak on Saturday and march on to 4-0 Pick: Stanford by 10 #17 South Carolina @ #12 Auburn 7:45 P.M. The Gamecocks come into Saturday's battle on The Plains after struggling a bit with FCS Furman. QB Stephen Garcia, who has mostly limited his mistakes this season, threw two picks and Marcus Lattimore struggled to get it going. Auburn has plenty of its own problems, falling behind 17-0 last week against Clemson. Both squads rebounded to win last week, but the focus will be on the quarterbacks. Auburn's dual threat QB Cam Newton leads the team in rushing and settled down after a rough start last week. The key to this game will be whether Lattimore can get going to take some of the pressure off Garcia. He's struggled away from home in his career and the odds are stacked against the Gamecocks; they've lost five straight conference road games and they haven't won at Auburn since 1933. With two good defenses, look for a low scoring game. I think a rowdy crowd at Jordan-Hare will be too much for the Gamecocks to overcome. Cam Newton will throw and run for a TD as the Tigers win. Pick: Auburn by 7 #22 West Virginia @ #15 LSU 9:00 P.M. The Mountaineers travel down to Death Valley, one of the toughest venues to for any opponent to win. LSU hasn't lost to a non-conference opponent since UAB in 2000. The Mountaineers have plenty of offensive weapons in Noel Devine, Tavon Austin and Geno Smith to combat an LSU defense that has surrendered less than 12 points per game. The key for this game will be Stevan Ridley running well against a stout West Virginia defense and Jordan Jefferson stepping up to make plays. This game will be a lot closer than people expect. West Virginia's offense will keep them in the game, but eventually the Bayou night humidity and rabid crowd in Death Valley will help will the Tiger defense to shut down the Mountaineers. Pick: LSU by 6 #1 Alabama @ #10 Arkansas 3:30 P.M. This is a game with huge SEC West implications. The Razorbacks could make a statement with a win over the defending champs at home Saturday. Ryan Mallett has proved his worthiness of Heisman contention, leading the nation in passing yards and completing his passes at a 70 percent clip. He may have to pass to keep the Razorbacks in the game. The Tide gets Mark Ingram back at the right time. He may be looking for redemption after the Razorback defense limited him to 50 yards in last year's contest. The Alabama defense will be the key in shutting down Mallett and limiting WR Greg Childs. In the end, the Tide will roll through Fayetteville with plenty of momentum heading into next week's monster date with Florida. Pick: Alabama by 10