LSU Football: Holiday Wishlist for the Tigers

LSU fans have plenty to be thankful for this holiday season. 

Sure, the Tigers were not at their best in 2014. This season will the first time they will not reach 10 wins since 2009. LSU head coach Les Miles has not reached the SEC Championship Game since 2011. With the talent Miles has had, that is disappointing.

But perspective is sometimes important. The Tigers did turn an 0-2 start in SEC play into a respectable 4-4 overall conference record.  

Looking at the big picture, LSU has not had an awful season under Miles. He has won at least eight games every season. Historic programs such as Michigan, Miami and Nebraska have been in constant turmoil and mediocrity since he has been in Baton Rouge. 

For Miles to get back to winning SEC championships, he needs a few things to go his way in the next few months. Let's take a look at LSU's holiday wishlist.

A Win Against Notre Dame

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

LSU hoists the Sugar Bowl trophy after defeating Notre Dame. The 2007 clash was the last time the two schools faced each other.

A triumph over Notre Dame in the Music City Bowl would be a massive momentum boost for LSU going into the offseason. And things are looking good for Miles. 

The Tigers are a 7.5-point favorite, per Odds Shark. The Fighting Irish have lost five of their last six games, and head coach Brian Kelly is in a quarterback quandary. LSU has an advantage in the trenches, which Miles will certainly look to exploit with his massive offensive line. 

A win would give LSU some much-needed momentum heading into the offseason. Recruiting calls are always easier to make after a victory.   

More Success in Recruiting

LSU is currently ranked 17th in the 247Sports recruiting team rankings, which is only good for ninth in the SEC. But that will likely change as Miles will make his annual strong late push before national signing day on February 4. 

The Tigers currently only have 15 commitments, which is the fewest among SEC schools in the top 10. Yet two of those players, offensive tackle Maea Teuhema and cornerback Kevin Toliver II, are 5-star prospects.

Miles is on the hunt for more 5-star commitments. New Orleans receiver and Louisiana's No. 1 prospect Tyron Johnson would transform the Tigers' passing attack. Defensive tackle target Daylon Mack renounced his commitment from Texas A&M and listed LSU as one of his top two schools:

"

My top two schools are LSU and TCU #NoOrder #GeauxTigers #GoFrogs

— THEE MACK TRUCK (@DaylonMack) December 20, 2014"

Commitments from Johnson and Mack would likely catapult LSU into the top 10. But those are not the only players Miles needs. He must haul in as many elite players as possible to keep up with the rest of the SEC West.  

John Chavis Stays in Baton Rouge

Gerald Herbert/Associated Press

LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis

LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis has been contacted by Texas A&M about its current opening at defensive coordinator, per Ross Dellenger of The Advocate.

This news should alarm some considering Chavis has yet to sign the extension LSU recently offered, per Dellenger. Chavis has coached some elite defenses during his tenure in Baton Rouge. His innovative defensive schemes have played a vital role in Miles' success. 

LSU continues to recruit magnificently thanks in large part to Chavis' system, which includes his 3-2-6 "Mustang" package that puts six defensive backs on the field at once. The secondary would not be the same without "The Chief."

Chances are Chavis is not going anywhere and will use this as leverage to get a raise. As Dellenger notes, he has been contacted by Georgia and Texas in the past. 

Update: 104.5/104.9 ESPN Baton Rouge's Derek Ponamsky reports LSU has reached a new deal with Chavis:

"

Sources tell me that LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis has a new three year $4m deal to stay at LSU. @1045espn

— Derek Ponamsky (@DerekPonamsky) December 22, 2014"

Most Draft-Eligble Players Stay

USA TODAY Sports

LSU junior defensive end Danielle Hunter (No. 94) attempts to tackle against Kentucky receiver Ryan Timmons (No. 1).

Miles hopes his team will not have a mass exodus of players like he has had the last two offseasons, where 18 Tigers with eligibility remaining made the early jump to the NFL. He said last week he is now more proactive in chatting with his players about their professional futures, per Jim Kleinpeter of The Times-Picayune. 

Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports first reported last week that junior cornerback Jalen Collins will likely be entering the NFL draft:

"

Sources: #LSU CB Jalen Collins likely to enter NFL draft. http://t.co/r68HAxUKXU

— Rand Getlin (@Rand_Getlin) December 18, 2014"

Kleinpeter confirmed Getlin's report with sources of his own but also shared junior safety Jalen Mills will likely return. Redshirt sophomore receiver Travin Dural told WBRZ's Michael Cauble he is staying as well. 

The statuses of LSU junior defensive end Danielle Hunter, linebacker Kwon Alexander, guard Vadal Alexander and redshirt sophomore tackle Jerald Hawkins remain unclear. If all four of these players leave, there will be an avalanche of uncertainty about their replacements.

LSU's sluggish start to this season on both sides of the ball showed the effects of losing players early. Though Miles will be better equipped in 2015 than he was this season if multiple players leave, the team will be better served if all of these experienced contributors return to Baton Rouge.

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.