FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Perception doesn't have to be reality.

Before any footballs were rolled out for preseason practice to lead into the season, how most pundits and prognosticators perceived LSU football to be was closer to a wounded animal than one in position to pounce.

No Jayden Daniels and his Heisman Trophy stalking the sidelines. A shuttered defense, which welcomed its new coordinator in Blake Baker but how much turnaround could possibly be expected in his first season back in Baton Rouge? Especially with him having to work with what was there.

The now-No. 8 Tigers just methodically forced into submission a spunky Arkansas team — fresh off an upset over Tennessee — on Saturday with a 34-10 victory inside Reynolds Razorback Stadium, an uncomfortable den recently for LSU.

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LSU coach Brian Kelly and his team trotted off the field with the Golden Boot Trophy in hand, a newly minted 6-1 overall record, an unblemished 3-0 mark in Southeastern Conference and the realization that perception now lies with them.

"I think it's pretty clear that this group understands that now," Kelly told reporters after the Arkansas win, LSU's sixth consecutive victory. "Especially with one game on the road then we go on a bye week and three or four in Tiger Stadium. I think they can now sense that they have put themselves in a pretty good position.

"Now, they got to go earn it on the road."

A monster showdown with No. 14 Texas A&M (6-1, 4-0) awaits the Tigers next Saturday. The Aggies have the best record in the league but the two teams are the final two unbeatens in a league that has eaten itself alive the past few weeks.

LSU and A&M have averted disaster to set up the clash for the driver's seat in the SEC as the home stretch of the regular season comes into view. They are two teams that were afterthoughts by SEC preseason poll voters who had LSU finishing fifth and Texas A&M ninth.

"Every week is a big week for us," LSU freshman running back Caden Durham said. "We just got to stay focused on keep on eating."

To Kelly, how his team has handled adversity has allowed itself an opportunity to matchup with the Aggies for the SEC lead next Saturday.

"They have not blinked. We lost Jacobian Guillory, arguably our most talented and experienced defensive tackle. Then obviously, Harold Perkins, right? We haven't had Chris (Hilton) who is our vertical threat all year," Kelly said. "It just seems these guys just keep playing through and the next man steps up. Nothing seems to phase this group.

"Whether they're down 17-0 on the road or struggling to put together a great drive, they just keep playing, to their credit. Now, they're playing cleaner and I think that's the sign of a team really coming together."

The improvements on defense from Week 1 in the loss to USC in Las Vegas to the last six quarters plus overtime during which it has allowed just 19 points, to a run game that now features a workhorse freshman with nimble balance and strength, are stark.

LSU's players seeing themselves has brought a new perception; one that's performance-based and rooted in results. That sets up the Tigers the rest of the way. They just have to go earn it.

"There's clearly a different way they perceive the next six weeks. I think by their standards they believe they're getting better and I believe they're getting better each week," Kelly said. "This is a good time to get better, later in the year.

"We know who we are," added sophomore sensation linebacker Whit Weeks. "At the end of the season, everybody will know who we are for sure."

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Cory Diaz covers the LSU Tigers for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his Tigers coverage on Twitter: @ByCoryDiaz. Got questions regarding LSU athletics? Send them to Cory Diaz at bdiaz@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: LSU sets up matchup with Texas A&M for SEC lead after Arkansas victory