Should learn something about LSU this weekend

COLUMBIA -- Is it possible to go a whole season and not really know a whole lot about a team? Doesn't that feel like the case with LSU right now, through eight games?

The Tigers are 7-1, and 4-1 in the SEC. Their only loss was that 13-3 defeat at home to No. 1 Florida.

This week, it's a sterner test, with a trip to meet Alabama and former coach Nick Saban.

"You talk about LSU," South Carolina's Steve Spurrier said, "and they're still in the mix for everything."

The Tigers are last in total offense (325 yards a game) and 10th in rushing offense (141). But quarterback Jordan Jefferson has picked it up in recent weeks.

Tigers coach Les Miles says experience is making a difference. "He's still developing," Miles said, "but he's making progress."

But John Chavis' defense is fourth in the SEC (293). They're keeping LSU in games.

Will we actually learn how good LSU is this week? Or will they play just well enough, lose close and keep us confused?

Thumbs up

Anthony Dixon

Quietly having a great season for a so-so team. Ran for 252 yards last week against Kentucky and has six games of 100-plus yards so far in what could be a first-team All-SEC season.

Ben Tate

Let's continue with the unsung running backs motif. How many people would know that Auburn's Tate actually has the most yardage in the league (1,067)? He's just played one more game than Dixon and Alabama's Mark Ingram.

Lane Kiffin

As much as he's been a thorn in some sides, got to give him credit. He held things together early on. Tennessee has turned itself around since UCLA and Auburn. Tip your cap to Monte Kiffin, for sure.

Thumbs down

Brandon Spikes

Crossed one of those unwritten lines in football by prodding his fingers inside an opponent's facemask. Even if Georgia's Washaun Ealey wasn't hurt, it doesn't make the act any less despicable.

Urban Meyer

How hard would it have been to just suspend Spikes for a game in the first place? A game against Vandy, at that? Meyer would've avoided the backlash by simply adding that extra half. Even if they got it right in the end, why not the beginning?

SEC office

This themed version of TD continues with the SEC OK'ing Florida's initial one-half punishment of Spikes. It's bad when the league shows greater fervency to protect its beleaguered officials instead of the players themselves.

By the numbers

6 -- SEC defenses in the top 25, nationally

3 -- Vanderbilt's Warren Norman got his third kick return for a TD last week; he's got two in two weeks.

72 -- Stephen Garcia's national ranking in pass efficiency (57.3 completion percentage)

He said it

"We haven't lost to Eastern Illinois, somebody like that. We've lost to some pretty good teams on the road. So don't try to make us feel bad. We don't. We don't feel bad. We had a lousy game last week, but we don't feel bad. And you guys can't make us feel bad, OK?" -- Spurrier, working to defend his 6-3 team.

Trav's take

--Wondering when Saban vs. LSU will just be Alabama vs. LSU. Feels like we're getting closer.

--Georgia's black helmets were an eyesore. But then they were bested by Tennessee's JV-looking black jerseys. C'mon guys, respect some school tradition and history.

--South Carolina must win the turnover battle each week to even have a chance to win games. Got to start forcing some, too.

--It must be homecoming weekend. The opponents in the league include Tennessee Tech, Eastern Kentucky, Furman, Memphis and Northern Arizona.