Posted by ESPN.com's Chris Low

Coming off the most thorough beating of the Les Miles era, LSU finds itself in a do-or-die stretch these next few weeks. The defending national champion Tigers (4-1, 2-1 SEC) were exposed last week in several different areas in a 51-21 loss at Florida. It could have been that LSU simply wasn't on top of its game that night and the Gators were. That's the most popular theory in Baton Rouge. But there's also the chance that LSU is still a bit limited at quarterback and that this defense isn't good enough to carry the team. Whichever it is, the Tigers still have one of the best offensive/defensive-line combos in the SEC, so don't expect them to go anywhere quietly.

Offensive MVP: He didn't have his best game last week against Florida, but junior running back Charles Scott has been a rock (a 233-pound rock) for the Tigers this season. He's third in the SEC in rushing with an average of 114 yards per game and is averaging 6.9 yards per carry. Prior to the Florida game, Scott had rushed for 100 yards or more in each of his first four outings. When he's going good, the LSU offense is tough to tame.

Defensive MVP: The standard the LSU defense set a year ago was a lofty one. The Tigers haven't been that dominant this season, although senior defensive end Tyson Jackson has stepped up big both as a leader and with his production. He has 2.5 sacks and is playing both inside and outside for the Tigers this season.

What's next?: The defensive secondary looks lost right now, and that has to be the most disconcerting thing for Miles. Inexperience and blown assignments back there are holding the Tigers back defensively, and they have to get that corrected in a hurry. The trip to South Carolina this Saturday is a scary one. The Gamecocks are playing with a lot of confidence. LSU can't afford a second SEC loss with tough home games coming up against Georgia on Oct. 25 and Alabama on Nov. 8.