A few minutes before kickoff of the latest game between UL-Lafayette and LSU, the air suddenly seemed a lot more purple, didn't it? Washington, the team LSU "struggled" to defeat in the season opener, defeated USC.

That left me wondering: Who do we reevaluate more, Washington, USC or LSU?

Then LSU fashioned a workmanlike 31-3 victory against the Ragin' Cajuns, who played the Tigers much closer than that between the red zones. That left me wondering: Did LSU do anything Saturday to deserve an upgrade in our eyes, or do they have the Washington Huskies alone to thank for that?

The Tiger Stadium crowd exploded upon hearing the final score (16-13) from Seattle, where two weeks earlier LSU won without looking spectacular against a team that was 0-12 last season. In any other year, outsiders would have been correct in assuming the delight of LSU fans just before 6 p.m. Saturday night was from learning of a USC loss.

This year, you and I know much of that audible exhale was the realization that the Washington team that gave the Tigers a competitive game (31-23) on Sept. 5 is better than many expected before the season.

Maybe these Tigers are better than we thought, huh? That's what you were thinking at 6 o'clock, wasn't it?

The team most responsible for LSU's identity is LSU. Early take on Week 3? We're still waiting for the real test.

There is a lot of football left to be played, so let's not get too far ahead of ourselves. A bad Cal team defeated USC in 2003, and it didn't keep the Trojans from winning the AP national championship. USC has suffered other early-season losses and climbed back into the national championship conversation by late November.

Plus, this was Steve Sarkisian's third game at Washington. Let's be clear: He's winning with Mark Emmert's players.

Another interesting thing happened Saturday. Tennessee stayed with Florida early and didn't lose by 56-3 or 41-14 or any of the other predicted blowout scores. We reassess the Vols and the Gators, do we not?

That's the fun of college football. They don't just print the schedules, publish the rankings and call it a season. They play the games, and yet we continue to be surprised when they don't all unfold according to our expectations.

We think we know a team, based on last year and what's "coming back" and "key newcomers," but it's never that simple.

Think about every player on a team with 85 scholarships. Think of all the variables for one player. How was his offseason? How's his motivation? Is he having girlfriend problems? Are agents trying to bend his ear? Does he have a different position coach?

Is a threat sneaking up on him on the depth chart? Can he handle that? Maybe he went up against overachievers or studs last year. Is he going up against replacements who are underachievers this year? Is the reverse happening?

Is there a new scheme that works against him instead of for him? Is he believing the hype? Is he trying to perpetuate it? Does he think of compliments like cologne, meant to be sniffed but not swallowed? Or is he basking in it as if it will carry him through the season?

When the light finally comes on for him,
is it like a spotlight instead of a headlight? Does he call attention to himself or see more clearly the team goals and the plan?

Multiply all of that and more by each player on the two-deep, and you've got a lot of variables.

Now, back to Tiger Stadium. Here are notes I jotted down during the first half, stream-of-consciousness impressions of this Week 3 matchup:

The early going

Isn't it a splendid gesture for the Cajuns to put the word "Louisiana" on the front of their jerseys? Now, that's state pride.

Trindon Holliday is fast. I swear he waited for his launch window, idling at regular-human speed before accelerating and blowing through a hole that would have closed around most other players.

Charles Alexander is a different kind of fast along the line of scrimmage.

LSU will need a legitimate deep-ball threat -- quarterback and receivers synchronized -- against the meat of its SEC schedule.

Otherwise, interceptions with good hang times and enough distance could be an option if LSU's punters get hurt.

Doesn't it seem like Ciron Black has more flags this year than in the rest of his LSU career?

I'm not as sold on Brandon LaFell as many seem to be, but as soon as I type that, he shows better concentration and starts looking like the player I keep hearing he is.

How many e-mails will ESPN get because Eric Collins referred to the visiting team as, simply, "Lafayette" early in the game?

Chad Jones is fearless on punt returns. That could be a good thing -- sometimes.

I'm thinking Mike the Tiger wasn't brought into Tiger Stadium sooner because LSU officials were concerned the excitable Jones would try to chest-bump him.

Good interception by Jones.

Russell Shepard will be a more dangerous offensive weapon when LSU starts getting the ball to other players occasionally when he's on the field.

Notes on the scoring

LSU takes a 7-0 lead on Jordan Jefferson's pass to LaFell with 3:09 left in the first quarter.

LSU expands the lead to 14-0 on Holliday's 11-yard run to start the second quarter.

There was a time when an LSU defense would have tightened the grip on an opponent right after such a scoring play and helped make it a three-touchdown lead. Instead, the Tigers let the Cajuns -- who were trying their best to let their opportunities slip through their fingers -- drive way too quickly into scoring range.

ULL's field goal of 40 yards by Tyler Albrecht cuts LSU's lead to 14-3. The six points ULL has scored in its 12 games in Tiger Stadium came on field goals against Les Miles teams (one in 2006, one in 2009).

Josh Jasper's 52-yard field goal makes it 17-3 with no time left in the half.

Halftime notes

Charles Scott? LSU could use him in the second half.

Jefferson isn't as far along in terms of development within the system as Rohan Davey was at a time when Davey couldn't get on the field. That tells you about the difference in LSU's quarterback situation today as opposed to 10 years ago.

You can see it in Jefferson's eyes: He trusts himself and his athletic ability more than he trusts the playbook, the system and the concept of not trying to do too much by himself.

Second-half notes

Then you see Jefferson's pitch to Keiland Williams and know he'll be OK with more seasoning.

Our weekly disclaimer, updated after another game: This was only Jefferson's fifth college start.

LSU makes it 24-3 on a nifty pass by Jefferson to LaFell and an equally deft route and catch early in the third quarter.

The Cajuns are running the zone read option. Uh oh, LSU fans. This could be a problem.

ULL is answering with moxie. Are they about to score their first Tiger Stadium touchdown?

No.

LSU fans will be talking about that goal-line stand for a long time whenever the subject of playing ULL comes up.

Was Williams stopped for a safety? I didn't see any evidence he got the ball across the goal line. Hmm. The officials say he did. ULL fans will be talking about that one for a long time.

That's a salty pass from Jefferson to Terrance Toliver for a first down and breathing room. LSU has a chance to wear down the Cajuns after denying them the end zone, getting a favorable call on Williams' carry and the pass for first down.

And yet LSU can't get out of its own way.

Hi, Rueben Randle.

LSU has a power formation on fourth and short, but there's nothing powerful about the play. A good stop for the Cajuns. They haven't quit.

The Tigers aren't dominating the line of scrimmage the way they should against ULL, but as Brock Huard rightly points out, LSU has allowed a mere three