LSU freshman RB Jeremy Hill gave the Tigers an unexpected offensive boost in their win over South Carolina. (US Presswire)

We had five burning questions heading into Week 7. Here's what we learned over the weekend:

1. We aseked ... Will South Carolina continue to look like a national title contender, or have a letdown at LSU?

Letdown might be an unfair term for how South Carolina played in its 23-21 loss at LSU on Saturday. The Gamecocks didn't look as crisp as they did against Georgia the prior week, but credit the Tigers, and a hostile atmosphere in Baton Rouge, for some of that. South Carolina wasn't able to get its ground game going. QB Connor Shaw and RB Marcus Lattimore only combined to rush for 36 yards. This loss derails the Gamecocks for the moment, but they're not out of the title hunt yet. Their game at Florida next week will be one of the biggest in the program's recent history.

2. We asked ... Can LSU get its offense going?

There were some signs of life from an LSU offense that only mustered six points against Florida the prior week. Freshman RB Jeremy Hill was the surprise spark. He had 17 carries for 124 yards and two touchdowns. The Tigers showed off their depth in the backfield, giving four different backs -- Hill, Spencer Ware, Michael Ford and Kenny Hilliard -- significant playing time. Coach Les Miles still isn't getting much from QB Zach Mettenberger. He only completed 12 passes for 148 yards, no touchdowns and an interception.

3. We asked ... How good is Mississippi State?

The Bulldogs deserve credit for their 41-31 win over Tennessee on Saturday. Coming into the game, they had no true quality wins on the season. Beating the Vols won't launch them up the rankings, but it was a quality win over a decent opponent. The true test it yet to come, though. The 6-0 Bulldogs still have the meat of their SEC West schedule ahead of them with Alabama, Texas A&M, LSU and Ole Miss still looming.

4. We asked ... How will coaches on the hot seat respond?

It was a bad, bad weekend for coaches on the hot seat in the SEC. Arkansas' John L. Smith is the one exception with his 49-7 win over Kentucky. It might be too late for him regardless, though. Auburn's Gene Chizik continues to feel the heat after the Tigers dropped to 1-5 with a 41-20 loss at Ole Miss. Tennessee's Derek Dooley moved to 0-20 all-time against ranked opponents with the Vols' 41-31 loss at Mississippi State. Kentucky's Joker Phillips needs to just hope the administration will have mercy on him for all of the injury problems the Wildcats have faced this year. 

5. We asked ... Can Texas A&M keeping rolling against Louisiana Tech?

It was a wild one, but the Aggies pulled out a 59-57 win over the Bulldogs. Don't discount this win just because the Bulldogs play in the WAC. Tech had a legitimate shot at making a BCS bowl had it knocked off the Aggies. It has one of the top offenses in any conference, and it would challenge a lot of SEC teams. QB Johnny Manziel keeps performing for the Aggies. His six-touchdown performance (3 rushing, 3 passing) was the difference.

For more up-to-the minute news and analysis from SEC bloggers Larry Hartstein and Daniel Lewis, follow @CBSSportsSEC.