Some coaches think it and won't say it. LSU coach Les Miles isn't afraid to say it.

His team is playing well and its confidence is high after last week's dramatic 28-24 win at Tennessee.

"In November, since 2003, we're 12-0," Miles said. "We look toward finishing this November strong. We understand we're not in the exact position we want to be, but we're playing ourselves into contention.

"If we can count a victory the next three weekends, there's no telling where we might be. With the Arkansas game on the road, if we're playing to represent the West ... we're playing to that end."

That won't happen without help from the teams playing first-place Arkansas over the next two weeks, but all the 12th-ranked Tigers (7-2, 3-2 SEC) can do is take care of their own business down the stretch, starting with Saturday's home game against Alabama.

LSU is 6-0 at home this season and has dominated the Alabama series in recent years, winning five of the past six games and the most recent three. Now the nation's top-ranked defense takes on a struggling Alabama offense that is having a difficult time scoring touchdowns in the red zone.

For all the well-earned confidence LSU takes into this game, Miles said the Tigers need to be careful not to overlook an Alabama team that lost 24-16 to Mississippi State at home last week.

"I want to make sure we're not talking about Alabama (as a lesser opponent)," Miles said. "Alabama had Arkansas beat on the road. They played Tennessee to a three-point loss. They really handled the nation's scoring leader in Hawaii. I certainly respect the fact this is Alabama, it's just been bruised.

"We'll get their best shot. We understand that."

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: It took awhile but the Tigers finally put it all together against a good team, using a mix of seven runners to carry 45 times for 231 yards and getting 247 passing yards and three TD passes from QB JaMarcus Russell. The Tigers needed all those yards to overcome four turnovers, including three INTs by Russell, but it shows why LSU leads the SEC with 35 points and 421.8 yards per game.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: After holding Tennessee to 248 total yards and 17 offensive points, LSU leads the nation in total defense, allowing 215.67 yards per game. The Tigers also rank third in scoring, sixth against the run and seventh against the pass, allowing 10 points, 71.4 rushing yards and 144.2 passing yards per game. LSU also leads the SEC with 28 sacks. If defensive coordinator Bo Pelini could ask for anything more, it would be turnovers from a defense with only 15 takeaways.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "If we put a clock on our guys, I don't know if we'd be the fastest, but I think they're confident. They play with an attitude, and they know what they're doing. We're sound in what we do, and our guys play with a lot of confidence. They know what they're doing, they prepare the right way, so that enables them to play at top speed all the time. They're not out there thinking. They're out there playing football and having fun. They enjoy playing with each other, and they enjoy what we have going on. It's something special, and we're enjoying it." -- LSU defensive coordinator Bo Pelini on his defense.

THIS WEEK'S GAME: Alabama at LSU, Nov. 11 –- The combination of LSU's outstanding defense and Alabama's struggling offense suggests a one-sided win for the Tigers, but the Crimson Tide has a history of playing well and winning in Baton Rouge. Besides, few things are ever safe in the SEC. One of the best things the Tigers can do is run the ball as well as they did last week at Tennessee.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB JaMarcus Russell -– Russell overcame three interceptions last week, including one that Tennessee returned for a touchdown, by completing 24 of 36 passes for 247 yards and three touchdown passes. Russell, the SEC offensive player of the week, was at his best by leading the Tigers on a 15-play, 80-yard drive and throwing the game-winning touchdown pass with nine seconds left.

WR Early Doucet -– Doucet led LSU a game-high eight receptions for 73 yards and the game-winning touchdown against Tennessee.

WR Dwayne Bowe –- Bowe did lose a fumble that led to a Tennessee touchdown, but he also caught six passes for 89 yards and a touchdown. Bowe is tied for the SEC lead with eight touchdown receptions.

FS LaRon Landry –- He did get beat for a long touchdown against Tennessee, but Landry remains the SEC's most solid, experienced free safety.

ROSTER REPORT: After using six tailbacks against Tennessee last week and producing a surprising 231 yards on 45 carries, it appears that the Tigers will continue to use a tailback-by-committee approach until someone steps up to claim the job. The most impressive of the bunch at Tennessee was true freshman Keiland Williams, who led the tailbacks with 17 carries for 53 yards and a touchdown. "We like certain things that all of them do," LSU coach Les Miles said, "and we gave them the opportunity to do it. Keiland practiced well. He was taking a lot of snaps during our young players' scrimmage on Mondays, which really helped him. After the open week, he was learning the offense much more rapidly. We had some guys that did take snaps that weren't necessarily healthy, so it really gave him an opportunity to show his wares. I thought he played well in his first major action."

Miles confirmed that it's becoming more and more likely that two projected starters, OT Will Arnold (ankle) and TE Keith Zinger (stomach ailment), probably will miss the rest of the season.