The LSU defense has been doing some trash talking, but the coaches probably don't mind. It seems like the jawing involves the linebackers and the secondary.

Kelvin Sheppard was amused by the questions about whether there was any competition among the defensive players. "Chad Jones is one who is always taking credit for the tackle even when he's not around," he chuckled.

Sheppard has been a stalwart on defense for the Tigers. He has accumulated 39 stops over the last 3 games, but his value to the team goes beyond his stats.

He departed the banks of the Mississippi River in Reserve, Louisiana as, arguably, the most talented athlete the area has ever produced.

About this time of the football season, Heisman hopefuls begin to separate themselves from the pack. A few early season favorites also begin to fall back, while one or two new candidates are able to assert themselves. Of course, playing on a winning team helps.

One player that is starting to draw more and more attention each week is Alabama sophomore running back Mark Ingram, who has made a meteoric rise.