For LSU to win the SEC and have any chance at winning the national championship, there will be bigger, more critical games ahead against South Carolina and Florida over the next month, followed by Auburn, Alabama and Arkansas later down the line.

But first things first, LSU has more pressing business to address.

"We're playing Virginia Tech," LSU coach Les Miles said. "You don't have to worry about anything else, guys. Go to school. Go to bed at night. Don't read the papers. Don't watch TV."

A game against ninth-ranked Virginia Tech can be the kind of opportunity that can go a long way toward making or breaking second-ranked LSU. That's particularly true for an LSU team that beat Mississippi State 45-0 in its season opener on Aug. 30, due in large part because the Bulldogs turned the ball over seven times.

The Tigers didn't really have to fight and scrape for the win so they really don't know where they stand entering the Sept. 8 game against the Hokies.

"You work your butt off to improve, and you don't know where you're at until you play a quality team," Miles said, "and you measure yourself vs. that quality team. You have standards, you have a quality team, and you have abilities, and you expose them at game time, and at game time, you play to win. That's it. It never happens any other way."

Is senior quarterback Matt Flynn truly ready to face one of the nation's better defenses? Do the Tigers have the receivers to attack the Hokies and open up some room for the running game? How much of new offensive coordinator Gary Crowton's playbook did LSU really show in the opener?

Those are all questions the Tigers can't really begin to answer until they've played a championship-caliber team. They'll get that opportunity on Saturday.

"We understand who we're playing. We're playing Virginia Tech, and I think that there's a constant reminder with any team that takes the field in football: If you are not ready to play your opponent, you suddenly become very even," Miles said. "If you don't have an intensity and a wild eye and want to compete, then suddenly you can be very average.

"The key for us is to make sure that we're focusing on our business, improving our team and doing the things that we've always done to be successful here. If we do that and we have a great week of preparation and we put an improved team on the field in Tiger Stadium this Saturday night, which makes me smile, we'll have a great outing. We'll have a great showing."

-–Most NFL Draft analysts insist DT Glenn Dorsey would have been a top-15 pick in the 2007 draft, but Dorsey wasn't satisfied with his junior season and decided to return for a shot at national awards and one of the top five spots in the 2008 draft. As the key player in the middle of one of the nation's top returning defenses, Dorsey's performance will go a long way toward determining LSU's success this season. He opened his senior season with five tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack, despite almost constant double teams.

–-Dorsey gets a lot of the attention on LSU's defense, but DE Tyson Jackson, a junior who will face his own decision on the NFL following this season, is a playmaker who ranked among the SEC leaders with 10 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks last season.

--LSU lost two four-year starters at safety, including NFL first-round draft choice LaRon Landry, but the new starter at strong safety, Craig Steltz, intercepted three passes in the opener. Landry's replacement at free safety, Carl Taylor, intercepted another. In all, LSU defensive backs intercepted six passes.

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: For most of the first half against Mississippi State, it looked like an offense with a new quarterback, a new offensive coordinator and some personnel changes on the offensive line. Once the Tigers got into a rhythm and QB Matt Flynn got in a flow, they became more productive. Of course, a lot of that had to do with seven turnovers forced by the LSU defense. With senior weapons such as WR Early Doucet and versatile RB Jacob Hester and several talented young backs and receivers, the Tigers have the makings of a dangerous offense, even though it might take some time.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: The Tigers are off to a strong start with six interceptions and a fumble recovery, but they can't expect to have every opposing quarterback make so many poor decisions in one game. Just as important, the Tigers held Mississippi State to just 10 rushing yards, 136 passing yards and 3-of-14 on third-down conversions. The return of eight starters gives LSU the SEC's single-best unit, offense or defense. Dorsey and Jackson anchor an outstanding line and Ali Highsmith leads a talented group of linebackers. The return of CBs Chevis Jackson and Jonathan Zenon gives defensive coordinator Bo Pelini the opportunity to use more single coverage and use his safeties and linebackers in a more aggressive manner. The coaches have got a lot of confidence in Steltz and Taylor at the safety spots.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "You saw our football team. That's what we are. There was no real reason to hide things that we are doing. Don't expect us now to unveil the Wotango Offense or the super-superior defense or double-superior or triple-superior defense." -– LSU coach Les Miles, offering a coy response to questions about how much offensive and defensive strategy the Tigers showed in their season opener.

THIS WEEK'S GAME: Virginia Tech at LSU, Sept. 8 –- The Hokies were able to pour out a lot of emotion with last week's season opener, their first game since the murder of 32 students and faculty members in April, so they should be a lot more settled for this matchup between two top-10 teams. LSU has had two extra days to work on the Hokies following an Aug. 30 opener, giving the Tigers more time to work on beating Virginia Tech's stout defense and special teams. QB Matt Flynn will face more pressure than he did in the opener so balance will be a big offensive key for the Tigers.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Matt Flynn -– Flynn made his first start since the 2005 Peach Bowl and completed 12 of 19 passes for 128 yards and two touchdowns against Mississippi State. It won't make anyone forget about JaMarcus Russell, last year's starter and the top pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, but it was an effective and efficient performance with no turnovers and 42 rushing yards on 11 carries.

WR Early Doucet –- LSU expects him to step up as a leader and playmaker this season and he came through in the opener with nine receptions for 78 yards and a touchdown.

RB Jacob Hester -- LSU has young tailbacks with more speed and raw talent but Hester is a versatile senior who got the start in the opener and led the Tigers with 68 yards on 14 carries. Hester gives the Tigers stability, experience, solid ball security, receiving skills and strong pass protection –- qualities that should help against the Hokies.

DT Glenn Dorsey -– The Hokies would rather get physical and run the ball than pass it but that could be hard to do if Dorsey continues to anchor the middle, hold his ground and make plays in the backfield and along the line of scrimmage.

ROSTER REPORT: LSU opened the week without any players wearing the green jerseys normally reserved for injured players who must avoid contact work. OL Will Arnold, who missed several preseason practices, should be available after seeing considerable playing time against Mississippi State.

LSU coach Les Miles said reserve LB Derrick Odom remains indefinitely suspended following his arrest in July on assault charges. Miles also indicated Odom's status could change soon. "I would anticipate he will rejoin the team," Miles said.

LSU played six true freshmen against Mississippi State: offensive tackles Joseph Barksdale and Jarvis Jones, kickers Josh Jasper and Andrew Crutchfield, wide receiver Terrance Toliver and safety Chad Jones.

One of the bright spots of the Mississippi State game was the performance of the team's new starting punter. Senior Patrick Fisher averaged 44.9 yards on seven punts, including a 55-yard punt with the Tigers backed up to their own 6-yard line. His average would have been even better if he had not had pooch punts of 36, 37 and 28 yards inside Mississippi State's 20-yard line. "He came out and knocked the living stuffing out of that ball," Miles said. "He's got a big leg."