LSU Football: 5 Things That Must Change for the Tigers to Improve in 2015

LSU fans are not pleased, and head coach Les Miles knows it. 

The Tigers went 8-5 last season, which was the first time they failed to win at least 10 games in a season since 2009. This is not acceptable for the standards Miles has set for himself in Baton Rouge. 

A double-digit win total will not be easy. The SEC is deep, particularly in the West division. The Tigers must improve in all facets of the game if they want to reach the SEC Championship Game. 

Here are a few areas the Tigers must improve to take a step forward next season.

Quarterback

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LSU quarterbacks Anthony Jennings (No. 10) and Brandon Harris (No. 6)

The Tigers will not win the SEC if they do not get better quarterback play. 

Anthony Jennings started 12 of 13 games last season and left plenty to be desired. Jennings' 1,611 passing yards, 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions scream mediocrity.  

Brandon Harris was only given one start against Auburn to prove himself after a nice start to the season. Harris' performance in Jordan-Hare Stadium went sour quickly, as he would only throw one more pass for the rest of the season. 

There is a chance LSU gets a miracle transfer. Ohio State's Braxton Miller and Notre Dame's Everett Golson are a few names that could be available. But it is unlikely either ends up in Baton Rouge. 

Whether it is Jennings or Harris, LSU needs better play from football's most important position. 

Tight Ends in Passing Game

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LSU tight end DeSean Smith (No. 89) receives instruction from LSU head coach Les Miles (left).

LSU's lack of production from its tight ends is alarming. 

The Tigers' tight ends accumulated 12 catches for 129 yards and a touchdown this season. The previous two seasons they only had 28 catches for no touchdowns combined. 

LSU will lose receptions leader Travis Dickson but will return DeSean Smith. Smith caught four passes for 66 yards against Notre Dame in the Music City Bowl. He had no receptions on the season heading into the game. 

Smith has the talent to be a capable threat over the middle next season. Dillon Gordon, the Tigers' best blocking tight end, will also be back. Jacory Washington is another name to keep an eye on for the future. 

Tight ends coach Steve Ensminger must develop his players to be better receiving threats to help the growth of LSU's quarterbacks. 

Better Pass Rush

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LSU defensive end Tashawn Bower (left) attempts to bring down Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott (right).

The Tigers need a more consistent pass rush from their defensive line. 

LSU's entire defensive line raked in only 15.5 sacks. Starting defensive end duo Jermauria Rasco and Danielle Hunter combined for 5.5. There were 13 players in the SEC who eclipsed that total alone. 

With Rasco and Hunter now gone, new defensive line coach Ed Orgeron will have to groom some new talent. Orgeron replaced Brick Haley, who is now an administrative intern with the program. 

Tashawn Bower is the likeliest of any LSU player Orgeron can develop into a legitimate pass-rushing threat. Bower was the first backup off the bench for Rasco or Hunter. Sione Teuhema and Deondre Clark will also get plenty of snaps.  

LSU will also need to get more push up the middle from starting defensive tackle duo Christian LaCouture and Davon Godchaux. LaCouture and Godchaux combined for only 2.5 sacks.

It is possible to be a great pass-rusher without actually tallying a high volume of sacks. With that said, the inability of the Tigers' front four to collapse a pocket and contain the quarterback was a killer for the defense.

Kicking Game

LSU's Colby Delahoussaye once ranked among the SEC's most accurate field-goal kickers in 2014. But a sloppy end to the season eventually cost him his job.

The Tigers began using kickoff specialist Trent Domingue as their placekicker. Domingue then struggled himself, which eventually led to Delahoussaye being back in the mix.  

Domingue also served as the kickoff specialist, where 28 of his 51 kicks went for touchbacks. His touchback percentage of 54.9 percent ranked second in the SEC. 

It seems as if Domingue had the role locked up, but that was far from true. Cameron Gamble kicked off for the Tigers 17 times, with seven of his kicks resulting in touchbacks. 

Special teams coach Bradley Dale Peveto will have some tough choices to make this offseason. The Tigers will be fine with either Gamble or Domingue as their kickoff specialists. Expect both of them to challenge Delahoussaye for the field-goal kicking duties. 

The Tigers will play in some tight SEC contests next year. Special teams are often the difference in these games, which means it is vital to not leave points on the field. 

Coaching

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Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn (left) and LSU head coach Les Miles (right)

Last season was not Miles' best year, and it is not just because of the decline in the win column. 

The Tigers started flat in their first three games against power five opposition. Luckily enough, they were able to comeback against Wisconsin and win the game. Mississippi State and Auburn though would give Miles his first 0-2 start in SEC play. 

LSU would then play better against Florida, Kentucky, Ole Miss and Alabama. Miles defeated the Gators, Wildcats and Rebels, but he lost a late heartbreaker to the Crimson Tide. 

LSU's last three games would be a mix of good and bad.

The worst game of the Miles era would occur in an embarrassing 17-0 defeat to Arkansas. LSU would rebound with an impressive road win over Texas A&M to close the regular season, but then play flat again in defeat against Notre Dame in the Music City Bowl. 

Miles was working with a young team, so some growing pains were to be expected. Nevertheless, there were too many mediocre performances in 2014 for a team of that caliber. 

Miles is not the only coach who needs to perform at a high level. The rest of his staff, including first-year defensive coordinator Kevin Steele and Ed Orgeron, must have their respective positions technically sound and ready to go. 

Now with the Tigers more seasoned, there is no excuse for Miles and his coaching staff to not have his team more prepared for the brutal schedule that lies ahead. 

Stats, rankings and additional information provided by cfbstats.com, ESPN.com and LSUsports.net. Recruiting information provided by 247Sports.

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