| The LSU defense may have turned a corner. And no, we don't mean so that it could then fall down an open manhole cover. Saturday at Missouri, LSU looked like it was going to get completely run off the field again, trailing 22-7 in the first quarter. But over the final 40 minutes LSU allowed only 17 more points, giving the offense time (with the help of a closing pick six by Major Burns) to mount a comeback for a 49-39 victory. Was that the perfect performance for LSU's defense? Hardly. But the Tigers made some exceptional plays and got some stops, much more than could be said for LSU's 55-49 loss at Ole Miss the week before. Read about how LSU got on the road to getting better, and where it may go from here in Saturday's home game against Auburn (6 p.m., ESPN). The LSU offense has been humming like a Rolls-Royce engine all season, thanks in large part to the exceptional play of quarterback Jayden Daniels. He's starting to generate some Heisman buzz again, but in my column I tell you why Daniels faces three big headwinds to his chances of being among the finalists at the Heisman ceremony come December in New York. On the SEC coaches' teleconference Wednesday, LSU coach Brian Kelly was once again asked for an update about the health of safety Greg Brooks. Kelly talked about the outpouring of support from across the country, and how Brooks' affliction has made an impact on his LSU teammates. Our Sheldon Mickles is back with a look at Saturday's top five games across the country. Sad news to report from track and field, as former LSU coach Billy Maxwell has died. Finally, we're making our popular LSU mailbag a weekly feature, so if you have a good solid question for us, please pop it in the post. (Voices whispering off camera, papers rustling, perhaps a dog barking in the distance). Um, I've just been informed that we don't have a physical address for the mailbag. So just send those questions in electronically right here. Until next time, Scott Rabalais | 