Lane Kiffin Expresses Disappointment Over LSU-Alabama Rivalry Changes and Early Game Kickoff

The landscape of college football, reshaped by conference realignments and the expansion of the College Football Playoff, has increasingly altered the significance and scheduling of long-standing rivalries. A notable instance of this trend is the current hiatus in the storied series between the USC Trojans and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, which will not be played again until at least 2030, largely due to USC’s move to the Big Ten Conference.

However, these shifts are not confined to intersectional matchups. Even within conferences, the creation of larger alignments and a push for standardized nine-game schedules have necessitated changes to traditional rivalries, including one of the sport's most compelling recent contests: the Alabama Crimson Tide versus the LSU Tigers.

This weekend marks a critical encounter between the two teams in Baton Rouge, carrying substantial implications for the College Football Playoff. Both programs enter the game with 6-2 records, and while a three-loss team might still contend for a playoff spot, the losing side will face an uphill battle to recover its championship aspirations.

Beyond its immediate postseason relevance, this game holds particular significance as it represents the conclusion of 63 consecutive seasons in which Alabama and LSU have faced each other.

The End of an Annual Tradition

While the Crimson Tide and Tigers are slated to play again in 2028, the future scheduling format of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) means their annual meeting will cease. LSU head coach Lane Kiffin openly expressed his disapproval of this new arrangement, pointing to the pervasive influence of “money” within the sport as the primary driver behind the departure from tradition.

“I think that’s just sad,” Kiffin remarked. “And I understand, so I’m not being critical. All the decisions, usually, I think all of them probably really come down to money, whether that’s the realignments, whether that’s the rivalries. So, I think it’s all sad in general in the big picture of things that money drives to make [changes to] such great traditions and rivalries.”

“And there’s really good things that have changed in college football over the years, but there’s also a lot that I think myself and a lot of people wish that they were the way that they were, rivalries and conferences the same. And so unfortunately it’s where we are that really doesn’t seem like much is going to be protected when it comes to TV contracts and money and other people’s ideas.”

Kiffin’s assessment aligns with a broader sentiment that financial considerations increasingly dictate decisions in college football, frequently leading to the disruption of long-held traditions as administrators seek to maximize revenue. This pursuit of standardization in scheduling is seen as an unavoidable consequence.

Kiffin’s Call to Fans: 'Start Drinking Earlier'

In addition to lamenting the changes to the rivalry's frequency, Kiffin also commented on the kick-off time for this year’s Alabama-LSU game. While night games at LSU are renowned for their electrifying atmosphere, this particular contest is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. local time. Although not an unusual start for a college football game, it deviates from the late-night advantage that LSU fans and their coach might typically anticipate.

Kiffin delivered a clear message to Tigers supporters, along with some distinctive advice on how to prepare for the earlier start. During a Monday news conference, he referenced the significant noise generated during the recent Alabama-Tennessee game, noting its impact on the Crimson Tide’s offense, and suggested that a similar level of intensity could be replicated in Baton Rouge’s Death Valley.

“Tennessee supposedly set the noise record against Alabama, which you can see in that game effecting Alabama’s offense,” he said. “That was a 2:30 central kick.”

He continued by explaining that heightened crowd noise could benefit LSU’s players. As for how to achieve such an atmosphere earlier in the day, Kiffin offered a straightforward solution: “start drinking earlier.”

“We want our players to play well,” Kiffin stated. “We want our coaches to play well. If you are used to 6:30, four hours earlier, start your day earlier.

“Have breakfast earlier. Start drinking earlier, whatever is your routine, just move it up.

“Go to bed earlier Friday night.”

Kiffin further voiced his surprise regarding the kickoff time, asserting that the Tigers-Tide matchup has historically been a night game. “Especially in 16 years, this game has been at night here all the time,” he commented. “I never even considered that it wouldn’t be at night. So, I guess that’s probably naive of me.”

Interestingly, Kiffin held a contrasting perspective on SEC scheduling just a few years prior while coaching at Ole Miss. At that time, he remarked, “LSU gets to play at night again, I guess? Shocker. That’s two for two for them. I feel bad for our fans not having one night conference game.”

While the specific time of day might offer a slight advantage in what is expected to be a closely contested game, Kiffin’s initial season with LSU hinges on securing a significant victory in this rivalry matchup. His early comments, whether about scheduling or crowd preparation, reflect a familiar tradition in college football: coaches seeking every possible edge.