We have criticized the enthusiasm and support of the Tiger Stadium student section in the past, and this space was used more than two weeks ago to urge the section to step up its game up against Georgia.But against the top-ranked team in the nation Saturday, the student section didn’t need any encouragement.Maybe it was the extra incentive to beat much-hated former LSU coach Nick Saban. Or maybe it was the motivation that came with LSU’s first home game against a No. 1 team since 1997.But whatever it was, it provided for one of the most exciting student sections in recent history.We applaud the overall class the student section displayed Saturday.Sure, a few expletives were hurled Saban’s way — that was expected.And once again, redshirt freshman quarterback Jarrett Lee drew moans and groans from the student section. That, too, might have been expected.But what wasn’t expected was the huge support fans gave the Tigers in a game several experts and many fans anticipated them losing. After missed field goals, interceptions and dropped passes, chants of “L-S-U, L-S-U” rang loud and clear.And after the game, as the team headed for the locker room, boos and jeers were replaced with applause and encouragement.After two conference losses like the ones to Florida and Georgia, it’s clear this year’s squad is far from the best team in the nation and in the SEC.Students are starting to realize this season may be the first in the Les Miles era that can be coined as a “rebuilding” year.The Tigers are out of the conference title chase, and the best LSU can do this season is hope for a New Year’s Day bowl game.But with support like Saturday’s coupled with three winnable games left, that goal shouldn’t be hard to reach.—-Contact the Editorial Board at [email protected]