ATLANTA — Now, Les Miles and LSU can go home together, regardless.

Next stop, New Orleans. Only one thing remained uncertain about their future: What game awaited them in the Superdome?

Assured by Miles he would stay as their coach, backup quarterback Ryan Perrilloux and the fifth-ranked Tigers shifted their attention to No. 14 Tennessee. The result was a 21-14 victory last night in the Southeastern Conference championship game — and suddenly a strong possibility of playing for the national title.

"I'd line up against anybody and look forward to the opportunity," Miles said shortly after the win. "Anybody that saw this game tonight would certainly understand that this team is arguably the finest team in the country."

Jonathan Zenon scored on an 18-yard interception return with 9:54 left to rally LSU (11-2) from a 14-13 deficit, then Darry Beckwith picked off another pass by Erik Ainge deep in Tigers territory to seal it.

After No. 1 Mizzou and No. 2 West Virginia lost later last night, LSU felt it belonged in the BCS championship game.

"When you look at all the factors, I think we should go," LSU athletic director Skip Bertman said. "Our power rating, our strength of schedule. The fact that we won our conference and didn't lose a game in regulation. I think the voters will look at that."

The Tigers' win sent them home with a spot in the Sugar Bowl at worst. By the end of the evening, LSU was looking at a best-case scenario — a date a week later in the title game, also to be held at the Superdome.

Ohio State is No. 3, but LSU fans feel their team should jump ahead of No. 4 Georgia, which didn't reach the SEC title game. Virginia Tech is No. 6 and won the ACC title game, but lost to LSU 48-7 this year.

LSU took a flight back to Baton Rouge after its win, yet heard all about Missouri's 38-17 loss to No. 9 Oklahoma and No. 2 West Virginia's 13-9 defeat by Pittsburgh.

"The pilot was nice enough to announce the scores from the third quarter until the end of the games," Bertman said. "The boys were excited."

With speculation swirling he would soon leave for Michigan, Miles did everything he could to put aside the distractions. He met with his team earlier in the day and told them he was remaining at LSU.

"It's a great place. It's got everything. They said they want me," Miles said.

A day after he said he would talk to Michigan, Miles turned down a chance to go back to the school where he played and coached.

"I certainly love Michigan. I will always be a Michigan man," he said. "It saddens me at times I can't be in two places."