re: Is LSU offense starting to peak

I think both factors have an effect. Also, I think the defense has been increasingly helping the offense.

The first half of the season, the defense was giving up long, sustained drives to nearly every opponent, which was keeping LSU's offense off the field and they never really seemed to get in rhythm. Starting with the UGA game, in particular, the defense really tightened up. They held UGA to something like 1 or 2 first downs in the first half, and so were able to put up pretty good yardage that half (though only 6 points). They also did a similarly good job against Auburn in the first half, which allowed the offense more time with the ball. The UF game could've been better, but the defense did keep us in the game; and I didn't see Tulane, so no comment on that one. In any case, I see a correlation of the defense improving/getting the other team's offense off the field and LSU's offense having more possessions and starting to come around.