Jeff: Coach Miles believes the Tigers have the potential to be very explosive

What a difference a win makes. The prospect of a 10-win season looks much better after LSU's solid 31 to 10 victory over Auburn.


After the loss to Florida, LSU fans had deep concerns about the offense and quarterback Jordan Jefferson. But the sophomore rebounded by throwing a career-high 242 yards and 2 touchdowns. It was also nice to see that several players got involved, including freshman Russell Shepard and Trindon Holliday.


Listening to Coach Les Miles on Monday, he made it sound that you only saw the tip of the iceberg.


"What we need to accomplish – offense and defense – needs to continue, and improvement is the down payment on a great season," Miles said. "Our football team understands that. I think they looked at that game, and I think they realized that we have the potential to be a very explosive team."


The offense was able to move the football, because of the play of Jefferson, who had his best game in an LSU uniform. Miles said the experience that Jefferson has gained over his nine career starts is starting to pay off.


"I think we're finding is each game he continues to improve, he understands, he learns, he sees the field well, and I'm not surprised, and I think it's an experience. It's a quotient that every player has to go through."


MILES TALKS UP TULANE


LSU fans are already looking ahead to the SEC showdown against Alabama on November 7th. But Miles does not want his team to overlook in-state rival Tulane. He called the 2-and-5 Green Wave a very dangerous team.


Unfortunately for Miles and the rest of the coaches, the players are human. They saw that Southern Miss trounced Tulane 43 to 6 last week. It will be hard to convince 18 to 22 year olds that Tulane is a dangerous team.


But Miles is also telling the players and fans that if they want to play their best against Alabama, they'll need to show another level of improvement against Tulane.


WHERE'S WILLIAMS


It appeared senior tailback Keiland Williams was ready for a break-out season after rushing for 72 yards and 2 touchdowns against Vanderbilt in week 2. But since that game, Williams has rushed for only 69 yards in the last 5 games.


But Miles defended Williams' performance by saying that the Lafayette native contributes in other ways, like blocking or catching passes out of the backfield.


The coach also said Williams missed out on a big carry, when he was tripped up by the turf in the first half of the game against Auburn.


HELTON'S HEALTH


Miles said that punter Derek Helton re-aggravated an injury during his only punt, which went 27 yards. The injury kept Helton from returning to the field. The coach didn't say when Helton would return. Josh Jasper will handle the punting duties, while Helton is gone.