LSU Football: Tigers Who Will Benefit Most from Extra Bowl Practices

LSU needs work. 

The Tigers played one of their better games against Texas A&M to close the season. The 23-17 win helped propel them to a berth in the Music City Bowl against Notre Dame. 

But the victory over the Aggies was the only time they were victorious in November. LSU head coach Les Miles acknowledged on Sunday that bowl season is a critical time for his team to grow. 

"We need as many practices as we can. We’re a youthful team and we need to grow them up," said Miles via phone to a room of reporters on Sunday. "We look forward to a number of practices in preparation for this bowl. We’ll practice that second team extensively, not only to prepare them for this game, but to prepare them for the future."

Miles is right. These practices could serve as a crucial time for young players, particularly on offense, to jell together.

Here are four players who could benefit the most from the extra practices. 

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Malachi Dupre

Malachi Dupre's freshman season was a success.

Dupre finished as the team's second-leading receiver in yards (318) and touchdowns (five). This is impressive considering he missed the season opener against Wisconsin with an injury.  

But Dupre's season could have been better. He failed to accumulate more than one reception in each of LSU's final seven games. 

Dupre was more effective when fellow freshman Brandon Harris was under center, which makes sense considering they worked out together during the summer. Harris has not played much since his lone start in early October against Auburn. 

The extra weeks of preparation before Notre Dame will allow Dupre to work more with sophomore Anthony Jennings. Their best connection of the season came via a corner route against the Aggies on a 41-yard dart. 

The future looks bright for the 5-star receiver out of New Orleans. The Tigers have had three 5-star pass-catchers under Miles all be productive college players, per Rivals. Terrence Toliver, Rueben Randle and Jarvis Landry all finished with fewer receptions, yards and touchdowns than Dupre as freshmen. 

Dupre has all the makings of a No. 1 receiver. The extra weeks of practice should give him time to take the next step to be an elite deep threat. 

Notre Dame could be a breakout game for Dupre. The Fighting Irish allows more than 239 yards per game through the air, which would rank higher than only Mississippi State if they were in the SEC. 

Brandon Harris

Now is the time for Harris to prove himself. He feels himself becoming a better football player. 

"

I'm Learning Everyday || Each day is an opportunity 4 growth. #BelieveThat

— bharris (@bharrisqb1) December 10, 2014"

LSU's quarterback play has been painful to watch. Jennings' paltry numbers proves he is a game manager at best. 

Fans have clamored for Jennings to be benched. He began November with two games under 100 yards passing. But he was efficient against Texas A&M, combining for 226 yards and a touchdown. 

Miles would love to get Harris on the field. But for him to do that, the freshman must prove himself in practice first. 

Miles said after the shutout loss against Arkansas that Harris takes "50 percent" of the snaps in practice. With an extended period of preparation for Notre Dame, he should take the initiative to perform at a higher level.  

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Jalen Collins

One of the pleasant surprises of LSU's season has been junior cornerback Jalen Collins.

Starting corner Rashard Robinson was suspended indefinitely in November by Miles, per The Advocate. Collins stepped up in the place of Robinson and has played at a high level.

Collins said on Sunday that he put his name up for evaluation by NFL scouts. He moved up to the No. 6 cornerback prospect in Bleacher Report's Matt Miller and Walter Football's big board.

A strong performance against Notre Dame could propel Collins to the pros. He held his own against Alabama's Amari Cooper, who Collins said was the best receiver he ever faced.  

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Collins' wonderful work ethic will be adored by NFL scouts, but not nearly as much as his 6'2'' frame. As Greg Bedard of MMQB.com notes, taller corners are in high demand thanks to the success of the Seattle Seahawks secondary.

Collins will have his hands full with Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish's 6'1'' William Fuller and 6'5'' Corey Robinson are their best two receivers. How he performs against them could determine if he declares for the NFL draft. 

There is no other LSU player with as much at stake than Collins. Expect him to hit the practice field and weight room hard in the new few weeks. 

Colby Delahoussaye 

There is a kicking controversy at LSU. 

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Miles yanked kicker Colby Delahoussaye after blowing a chip-shot field goal early against Texas A&M. He was replaced by Trent Domingue, who would then go 2-of-3. Miles then reinserted Delahoussaye late in the fourth quarter for a 43-yard attempt, which he barely made to give LSU a 23-17 lead. 

Delahoussaye missed two makable kicks in the previous game against Arkansas. He was once 10-of-11 on attempts, but his recent struggles have now made him 11-of-15. 

LSU has talented backups on the roster that can overtake Delahoussaye. Domingue and true freshman Cameron Gamble have stronger legs and are capable of being successful college kickers. 

Notre Dame has played in three games this year decided by three points or fewer. The Tigers could easily play a nail-biter against the Fighting Irish.

Delahoussaye must show in practice why he has been a reliable kicker in the past. If not, he could be benched again. 

Stats, rankings and additional information provided by cfbstats.com, ESPN.com and LSU Sports Information. Recruiting information provided by 247Sports.

Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow me on Twitter @CarterthePower.