It means they are a young team that is getting better as the season goes on and had to get some confidence going.
Before beating Auburn they struggled with Utah State, they beat Alabama in 2 OT's and got lucky and they almost lost to Vandy.
Since beating Auburn they have won by 56, 35, 33, 6 and 17. It is not the same team.
If you ask me it was stupid of Houston Nutt to schedule a team like USC much less for the first game of the season. I could understand scheduling a top team as an out of conference opponent to help your strength of schedule but not if you play in the SEC.