LSU coach Les Miles took the podium Friday at Southeastern Conference Media Days wearing a purple tie, an LSU lapel pin on his jacket and a noticeable ring on his left hand.The 2007 National Championship ring and a 51-15 overall record has made Miles the longest tenured LSU football coach since Charles McClendon’s time with the Tigers from 1962-79.This season Miles faces the challenge of putting another ring on his hand to satisfy the appetites of a demanding fan base in his sixth year in Baton Rouge.”I can tell you this,” Miles said. “It will only be a championship season, and that’s the only point and direction of this program. That’s where we’re headed.”Miles was joined by junior cornerback Patrick Peterson, junior quarterback Jordan Jefferson and senior linebacker Kelvin Sheppard to speak to the 873 media members at SEC Media Days in Birmingham, Ala.— the second-highest attendance in the conference’s history.The Tigers were voted to finish fourth in the SEC West, the lowest since 2000, when LSU was picked to finish sixth.The media chose Alabama, Arkansas and Auburn, respectively, ahead of LSU in the SEC West.”It seems like no one respects us right now,” Peterson said. “It just gives us a little more fight, a little more desire to go out there and win games.”The media has only picked the conference champion correctly four times since 1992.”It’s more on the motivational side,” Sheppard said. “It’s the preseason rankings though, and hopefully, toward the end of the year we’re at the top of the list.”The Tigers will have to overcome SEC West favorites Alabama, fresh off a national championship, and Florida, the team picked to win the SEC East.”I understand that there are very many talented teams in this league,” Miles said. “I think we got talented guys on my team. I’m going to spend my time instructing them and look forward to the opportunity to compete against the very best.”Miles appeared positive about his team’s chances to return to the upper echelon of the SEC.The road to ending the season in the Georgia Dome for the SEC Championship begins in the same building Sept. 4 when the Tigers take on North Carolina in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game in Atlanta. “Every week is going to be tough for us, and that’s what we like,” Peterson said. “That’s one of the reasons why a lot of guys come to LSU — to play the best.”Miles talked about the evolution of Jefferson in his second full season under center after leading the Tigers to an 8-4 record as a starter with 2,166 yards and 17 touchdowns last season.”He’s starting to realize that it’s more than a position,” Miles said. “It’s not just call the play and throw the ball. It’s a responsibility to function the offense and to give us an opportunity at victory.”Jefferson, who was named to the Manning Award Watch List on Monday, spent a part of the summer learning at the Manning Passing Academy, and the 19-year-old quarterback said he feels more confident going into this season.”I have high goals for myself, and I’m ready to accomplish those things,” Jefferson said. “My wisdom has gotten better from my failure in certain games, and I’m looking to be a leader for these guys and enjoy my times at LSU and make sure the seniors leave the field on a good note.”But Miles didn’t discount junior quarterback Jarrett Lee and his abilities on the field.”I also think Jarrett Lee has had a great summer,” Miles said. “He’s still competing. He’s still a viable quarterback. You put him in the game, he’ll have an opportunity to win the game for you.”LSU’s last-second loss against Ole Miss last season was one of the topics covered. The Tigers failed to come up with any points after gaining possession with 1:16 remaining and ended up falling to the Rebels, 25-23.”I have to take full blame for it,” Jefferson said. “I was the quarterback. I was in the game. I will be prepared for it next time.”Miles said he plans to focus more on the two-minute drill when fall camp starts on Aug. 5.”We need to re-up the understanding of what must happen in some of those clock management situations, both as players and coaches,” Miles said. “It’s not just lip service. You know, we’ve changed.”Two positions were dubbed as strong points for the Tigers — cornerbacks and wide receivers.Peterson, a pre-season All-SEC selection, will team up with sophomore cornerback Morris Claiborne to cover the top talent in the SEC.”In my opinion, arguably, it will be the finest corner tandem in the conference,” Miles said.Senior wide receiver Terrence Toliver and sophomores Rueben Randle and Russell Shepard lead the wide receiver corps with a mix of experience and potential.”I like our receiving core,” Miles said. “Russell Shepard is probably stronger and faster and better than he’s been. We have Terrence Toliver, Rueben Randle that, in my opinion, will round out a receiving core that will be very talented.”–Contact Michael Lambert at [email protected]