Kiffin 'sad' annual LSU-Alabama game to take hiatus in 2027
LSU coach Lane Kiffin called it 'sad' that the annual LSU-Alabama rivalry will pause in 2027 under the SEC's new nine-game schedule, blaming money-driven realignment for eroding college football traditions.
LSU head coach Lane Kiffin expressed sadness Monday over the coming pause in one of college football's most storied annual matchups, as the Tigers' yearly game against Alabama is set to go on hiatus in 2027.
The former SEC West rivals have met every season since 1964, and many of those clashes carried national championship implications. This Saturday's edition is no exception, with both teams ranked in the top 15.
Under the SEC's new nine-game conference schedule, however, the matchup was not designated a permanent rivalry, meaning the schools will skip next season. They are expected to resume in 2028 and meet at least once every two years after that.
"I think that's just sad," Kiffin said Monday. "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."
Alabama's three permanent rivals are Auburn, Mississippi State and Tennessee, while LSU keeps Texas A&M, Arkansas and Ole Miss on its annual slate. The SEC said it weighed history, geography and competitive balance when selecting the pairings.
Kiffin, who served as Alabama's offensive coordinator from 2014 to 2016 under Nick Saban, also took issue with this year's afternoon kickoff in Baton Rouge rather than the customary night game. He said he was "shocked" by the change and joked the conference wanted to "give LSU less of an advantage," given how well the Tigers play at night in Tiger Stadium.
Source: ESPN — Top Headlines — TrendWire reports stories in its own words; facts should be confirmed against the original source.