As far as LSU defensive end Chase Pittman is concerned, Tennessee is just the next team on the schedule.

"There's no sense of heightened urgency," Pittman said. "We play the same whether it's (Louisiana-Lafayette) or UT."

Yeah, and how about that swamp land Pittman is selling down on the gulf coast? Seriously, if Pittman thinks anyone is buying that line, he needs to have a long talk with LSU coach Les Miles about the importance of Saturday's game at No. 8 Tennessee.

"It's not just another Saturday," Miles said. "With a victory at Tennessee, we have a place to stand in this conference. It's a chance to establish who we are in the West and play ourselves into contention."

At 6-2, 2-2 in the SEC, 13th-ranked LSU is still trying to hang on in the SEC Western Division title hunt. The Tigers need losses from Arkansas and Auburn, but having a shot at the division title remains a possibility if the LSU wins its remaining games, starting with Saturday at Tennessee.

"Then we might be playing for a little bit more than just the win at Arkansas," Miles said, referring to LSU's final regular-season game at Arkansas on Nov. 24.

While the Tigers still have a lot to play for this week, the one thing they won't be playing for is a measure of revenge after losing 30-27 to Tennessee in overtime at home last year. LSU has played 19 games since that loss on Sept. 26, so it's practically ancient history in the ever-changing world of college football.

"I don't think it's revenge," LSU strong safety Jessie Daniels said. "Maybe we all want payback because of what happened last year, but I just think that it's a big game for us. We want to win this game. I think that's the big thing."

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: The Tigers got more production from their usual playmakers last week, with QB JaMarcus Russell and WRs Dwayne Bowe and Craig Davis all playing well, but they also saw some positive signs from TB Alley Broussard. The Tigers continue to lead the SEC with 35.9 points and 414.8 yards per game, but they're still trying to elevate their running game as they head into the final stretch.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: While the offense has played its best games against lesser foes and sub-par games against Auburn and Florida, the defense hasn't let up one bit this season. The Tigers continue to lead the nation in total defense and rank second in scoring defense, allowing just 8.3 points and 211.3 yards per game. They also rank fifth against the pass and seventh against the run, allowing 139 passing yards and 72.6 rushing yards per game. The coaches would like to have more than 14 takeaways, but the Tigers still lead the SEC with 26 sacks, which helps them get off the field and give the ball back to the offense.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "As long as we don't make mistakes and we play our style of football, we can play anywhere. (In) the Auburn game I would have liked to have run the football a little bit better. I would like to not have the mistakes and miscues in the Florida game. If we do those things, we'll be fine at Tennessee." -- LSU coach Les Miles said.

THIS WEEK'S GAME: LSU at Tennessee, Nov. 4 –- No SEC team, perhaps no team in the nation, faces a more difficult road schedule this season. The Tigers have already played and lost at Auburn and Florida. Now the Tigers must play at Tennessee. The Tigers moved the ball at times in both losses but were unable to make the most of their offensive opportunities. That will have to change for LSU to finally get over the hump in a big SEC road game.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB JaMarcus Russell –- Russell continued his trend of playing well against the lesser opponents on LSU's schedule two weeks ago against Fresno State, completing 15 of 19 passes for 210 yards and two touchdowns. Now it's time for him to step up in a big game against a top-10 opponent after falling short against Auburn and Florida.

WR Dwayne Bowe -– With four receptions for 106 yards and a 58-yard touchdown reception two weeks ago Fresno State, Bowe earned SEC offensive player of the week honors and tied for LSU's career receiving touchdown record with 21. He also became the sixth player in LSU history to gain at least 2,000 career receiving yards. Through eight games, Bowe is ninth in the SEC with 37 receptions and fourth with 77.5 receiving yards per game. More important, he leads the SEC with seven TD catches.

WR/PR Craig Davis -– With four receptions for 57 yards and a touchdown two weeks ago, Davis ranks fifth in the SEC with 41 receptions and sixth with 74.4 receiving yards per game. As if that's not enough, he's added a new role the past two weeks as a punt returner. In his second game returning punts, he took one back 77 yards for a touchdown against Fresno State.

LB Darry Beckwith -– LSU has so many playmakers on defense that none of the starters rank among the SEC's top 10 in tackling, but Beckwith has been consistently solid, with 6.4 tackles per game and a career-high 11 tackles against Fresno State.

FS LaRon Landry -– Landry is generally regarded as the SEC's best free safety, but Tennessee's passing game will be one of the toughest tests he has faced in four years as a starter.

ROSTER REPORT: LSU has started four players at tailback this season, with widely varying results. Alley Broussard led the Tigers with 67 yards on five carries two weeks against Fresno State, and freshman Charles Scott leads the team in rushing with 277 yards on 46 carries, but there's still a lot to be determined about who will get the start and most of the carries against Tennessee.

"I think we're still in the position to go with the hot hand," LSU coach Les Miles said. "It's all based on how we see our guys operate in practice. And if they continue to perform at a high level in practice, we'd expect that in the games. And that's kind of how we'll go. Alley's made some progress and needs to continue to make progress."

Here's one possible hint: Jacob Hester has started the past three games at tailback, but he spent most of Monday's practice at fullback, his more natural position and his best chance to help LSU as a runner, receiver and blocker.

"All I know for sure is that I'm playing on special teams," Hester said. "Other than that, we have to wait and see."

The open date was especially helpful to several players nursing nagging injuries, including starting SS Jessie Daniels, backup DB Daniel Francis and starting C Brett Helms, three players who did not play against Fresno State on Oct. 21.

However, would-be starting LG Will Arnold, who has missed LSU's past three games with an ankle injury, is unlikely to play this week. Sophomore Herman Johnson will continue to replace Arnold.

It's becoming more and more likely that starting TE Keith Zinger, who has missed five of eight games this season with a stomach ailment, could sit out the rest of the season and apply for a medical redshirt.