Legend of Les Miles Grows as LSU Somehow Re-Enters Playoff Conversation

BATON ROUGE, La.—Les Miles has done it again. 

Miles' Tigers defeated No. 3 Ole Miss in the most Miles way—a low-scoring backyard brawl with his Tigers edging it out late. 

And Miles watched all of this take place with a heavy heart. 

Miles' mother, Martha, passed away on Friday night. Despite the tragic loss, he attended the team meeting the same evening and participated in all the activities on Saturday. 

"After the game, I can't tell you the number of young men that threw arms around me to tell me that they loved me. It was touching as anything I've had happen," said Miles. 

The players said they felt Miles' emotion.

"We wanted to win this one for him," said LSU freshman running back Leonard Fournette. 

Miles responded with one of the best coaching efforts in his illustrious LSU career. 

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

The Tigers were the better team on Saturday night. They outgained the unbeaten Rebels by almost 100 yards and had the ball for 12 more minutes. All of this after Miles admitted he cost his team the game against the Rebels last season, per The Daily Reveille. 

LSU enforced its will against Ole Miss in the trenches, which is vintage Miles. The Rebels' No. 1 scoring defense allowed only 97 rushing yards per game coming into Saturday. The Tigers bludgeoned them with 264 yards on the ground. 

"They just wore us down and kept the ball from us," said Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze after the game. "That offensive line is really solid, and their backs are really good. That's the first time we've faced an offense quite like that."

Despite the Tigers' prolific performance, they still needed some Miles magic late to win. 

The Tigers were backed up on their own 5-yard line, trailing 7-3 in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Anthony Jennings struggled getting anything going through the air, so Miles trusted his ground game to pull LSU through. 

Miles and offensive coordinator Cam Cameron called 12 rushes that moved the ball 92 yards. Then, on 2nd-and-goal from Ole Miss' 3-yard line, tight end Logan Stokes caught an open play-action pass from Jennings for the game-winning score.

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

The drive featured gaping holes from the much-improved LSU offensive line and broken tackles by running backs Fournette and Kenny Hilliard. Stokes said he saw the Rebels begin to break.

"I did feel them start to wear down," said Stokes. 

LSU's performance on Saturday night showed that the Tigers can beat Alabama in two weeks. The Crimson Tide and the Tigers both will be coming off bye weeks and three-game winning streaks. 

LSU's defense will have the challenge of defending Alabama's Heisman hopeful Amari Cooper and a powerful Crimson Tide running game. But the Bayou Bengals have the hottest defense in the conference, as it has allowed its last two opponents to score only a combined 10 points.

All LSU needs to do it is keep it close and give itself a chance. There are few coaches with better results than Miles in close games.

"

LSU is 24-23 under Les Miles when trailing in the 4th quarter, the only FBS team with a record over .500 in that scenario since 2005.

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 26, 2014"

LSU will also be at home, which will certainly play a factor. The fans were raucous against the Rebels after Miles pleaded with them during the week to stay for the entire game. The Tiger faithful was rewarded by being allowed to storm the field after the victory. 

"

Earlier shot of #LSU fans rushing the field I couldn't tweet out because of stupid @DeadlineMonkey: pic.twitter.com/ci907xmYKI

— Ross Dellenger (@DellengerAdv) October 26, 2014"

Miles knows his own habitat is a special place. 

"One thing about these Tigers: If you put them in Tiger Stadium, and give us a little time to fix things, we are going to be very special," said Miles. 

If the Tigers defeat the Crimson Tide in the Death Valley, they would be back in playoff contention. LSU would need plenty of help, but anything can happen in college football.

All it takes is for the College Football Playoff Committee to think the Tigers are amongst the four best teams in the country. It is not out of the question for two SEC West teams to make the final four.

And no coach in the country is better at winning national championships with two losses than Miles. 

Stats, rankings and additional information provided by cfbstats.com and LSU Sports Information. Recruiting information provided by 247Sports.

Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow me on Twitter @CarterthePower.