Editor's Note: The Arkansas Razorbacks will face one of the toughest football schedules in the nation in 2008. The sports staff of the Northwest Arkansas Times ranked Arkansas'12 upcoming games from least important to most important based on fan fervor, storylines and the effect a win or loss would have on the Razorbacks'season. This is the Hogs'fifth most important game and part 8 of a 12-part series profiling the Razorbacks'2008 opponents.

The Purple and Gold Machine in Baton Rouge, La., has never been cranked to a level this high.

LSU head coach Les Miles has the Tigers on a level of success the Bayou faithful have never seen. Three straight Top 5 rankings and the 2007 BCS National Championship have proven to be the most successful stretch in LSU's history.

Arkansas, however, almost proved to be a thorn in LSU and Miles'side last season. The Hogs cruised into Death Valley and left with an epic, 50-48 win in three overtimes, all but squashing the Tigers' hopes of a national championship. But Missouri's loss in the Big 12 Championship and the Bayou Bengals' win in the SEC Championship over Tennessee squeezed LSU back into the title picture.

As usual, Arkansas and LSU will meet again in the regular-season finale in a battle for the coveted Golden Boot Trophy. This time in Little Rock, the Razorbacks will be without the services of Darren McFadden, whose 206 yards and 3 touchdowns on the ground to go with a 24-yard touchdown pass were instrumental in last year's win.

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But while LSU returns 12 starters, they'll be without embattled quarterback Ryan Perrilloux, who was tabbed as the starter after the Tigers' BCS win in January. Perrilloux, named the MVP at the SEC Championship, was dismissed from the team in the offseason after repeated violations of team rules. Still, many preseason publications tab LSU as the favorite to win the SEC Western Division. To do that, though, LSU will need steady production from one or both of its untested quarterbacks.

OFFENSE LSU has cranked out its fair share of quarterback prospects in recent years and Matt Flynn was no different last season. Flynn's 2, 407 passing yards and 21 touchdowns will be missed in the Bayou, but his experience may be the biggest hole to fill. Perrilloux's dismissal hit the Tigers hard in the offseason. Coaches had him tabbed as the starter but the Tigers have since moved on. Now, Miles and Co. must rely on backup Jarrett Lee and Harvard transfer Andrew Hatch. Neither has been deemed the starter by Miles or offensive coordinator Gary Crowton, but both will have plenty to work with in the running game and receiving corps.

Gone is fullback Jacob Hester, but in his place are three tailbacks who averaged 6. 8 yards or more per carry last season. Junior Keiland Williams leads the pack after a 478-yard, 6 touchdown 2007. Close behind him are Trindon Holiday (364 yards ) and Charles Scott (324 ). The running game, which ranked No. 11 nationally last season, will also get plenty of protection from an offensive line that lost just one starter - right tackle Carnell Stewart. Stars include junior tackle Ciron Black, who was named All-SEC last season along with senior left guard Herman Johnson.

In the receiving game, junior Brandon LaFell returns after his 656 yards and 4 touchdowns on 50 receptions last year.

LaFell and Demetrius Byrd will be the Tigers' most likely shots downfield. Byrd caught 7 touchdowns on 35 receptions last year to go along with his 621 yards. Tight end Richard Dickson was also very productive with 375 yards and 5 touchdowns, and he'll provide an underneath escape option for whoever is pushed into the starting role at quarterback. DEFENSE A defense that held most opponents in check - save for Arkansas and Kentucky in multiple-overtime games - will attempt to shore up a gigantic void left by defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey. Five starters return, including senior defensive end Kirston Pittman, who returns with a team-leading 68 tackles and 8 sacks. Three starters return on the defensive line that ranked No. 12 last season in rushing yards allowed per game. Along with Pittman are defensive tackle Marlon Favorite and defensive end Tyson Jackson. Every one of LSU's returning defensive starters are seniors. Ricky Jean-Francois will fill the other tackle position as the LSU front five will attempt to get pressure on opposing offenses to help a younger secondary. No seniors return or will start in the defensive backs group except for safety Curtis Taylor, who intercepted three passes last season.

• • • The difference-maker: LSU will surely have found an adequate replacement for Matt Flynn at quarterback by the Nov. 28 game with Arkansas. Whether the Bayou Bengals can improve their defensive secondary by the end of the season is another question, however. Arkansas will need to weaken LSU's defensive front with production in the passing game. LSU's offensive line is huge and Arkansas looks to be weak defensively. Both team's weaknesses will match up well with each team's strength.

The deal-maker: While the rivalry seemed forced to start off with, the Battle for the Golden Boot has become more important with almost every passing year. LSU ended Arkansas' hopes for a national title in 2006 in this game and the Razorbacks beat the Tigers and nearly returned the favor in 2007. The game is the only game on TV nationally the Friday after Thanksgiving and plenty of eyes will get to see if the Razorbacks can upset a thought-to-be national contender in LSU at War Memorial Stadium.

The deal-breaker: Predictions are a tough thing, but if the Hogs are out of contention for a bowl game by late November, this contest may be for nothing but Razorback pride. LSU may already be out of the race for the SEC Championship as well if Auburn can take care of the Bayou Bengals at home on Sept. 20.