Big Picture: How LSU Tigers have become major players in SEC race

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OK, so upon further review this just might not be such a down year for LSU after all. The Tigers, who earlier this month looked downright dreadful in a 41-7 loss at Auburn, reminded the rest of the college football world Saturday night that they are just as dangerous -- and as talented -- as ever.

Les Miles' extremely young squad overcame four turnovers and still beat No. 3 Ole Miss and its vaunted defense, 10-7, at Tiger Stadium. It was a vintage Tiger performance. There was a late Tiger rally -- LSU's 24th fourth-quarter comeback victory in Miles' 10 years in Baton Rouge. There was a suffocating Tiger defensive effort, forcing Ole Miss QB Bo Wallace into a 14-of-33 passing effort that was low-lighted by a late, game-clinching INT. There was also a punishing LSU ground game that saw the Tigers roll up 264 yards on what had been the country's No. 1 defense.

The headliner was the emergence of former No. 1 recruit Leonard Fournette, who against Ole Miss looked every bit like the phenom he was touted to be, rushing for 113 yards while also shining as a receiver and return man, totaling 211 all-purpose yards. The 230-pound freshman also was involved in one of the more bizarre highlights you'll see all season. Fournette had just broken off a 22-yard run to set LSU up at the Ole Miss 13 late in the game. He got the ball on the next play and barreled his way for the end zone but was corralled after Serdarius Bryant literally snapped the facemask off the Tiger’s helmet as the Rebel was going to the ground.

"(Fournette) came off the field and he looked like a player from 1942 with no facemask on his helmet," LSU running backs coach Frank Wilson told FOX Sports Sunday. "All he said was, 'Hurry up so I can get back in there.'"

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As impressive as Fournette was, as Wilson reviewed the Ole Miss game film, he came away raving about another Tiger, senior offensive tackle La'el Collins, who saw plenty of Ole Miss star D-lineman Robert Nkemdiche.

"La'el had a monstrous game. I've only gotten to play No. 24 and I've already counted six pancake blocks,” said Wilson before rattling off a list of former first-round O-linemen he's been around, who he believes weren't anywhere near as complete as the 6-foot-5, 315-pound Collins.

"If La'el Collins is not a top-five draft pick, I'll kiss my own arse," Wilson said.

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