Alabama and LSU are set for one of the biggest games on the schedule this weekend, and Lane Kiffin is already working the edges before kickoff.
The matchup comes with both teams sitting at 6-2, and both are coming off bye weeks, which only adds to the weight of what’s on tap in Baton Rouge. Tiger Stadium will host the game, giving LSU the home-field edge on paper. But Kiffin wasn’t interested in treating the afternoon kickoff like a neutral detail.
“Obviously, the SEC wanted to change this year from how it had been to give LSU less advantage,” Kiffin said, “(considering) how well LSU plays at night and how intimidating it is to play here.”
That’s the kind of line Kiffin tends to throw out when the spotlight gets bright, and there is at least some history behind the idea. LSU has long been a different beast in night games at home, and this rivalry has usually landed under the lights when it’s been played in Baton Rouge. The last time LSU hosted Alabama in a non-night game was back in 2010.
Still, the day setting doesn’t erase the challenge for Alabama. Tiger Stadium is going to be loud either way, and the Crimson Tide will need to handle the atmosphere early if they want to settle in on the road.
Kiffin also said Alabama was the most talented team LSU has faced this season, keeping the usual mind-game pressure in play ahead of a game that already carries major stakes. The winner takes another step toward the College Football Playoff conversation, which only raises the temperature even more.
Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m. PT/3:30 p.m ET from Baton Rouge.
In Other News...
Lane Kiffins Alabama Problem Just Got Bigger In The Playoff
Lane Kiffins history against Alabama has become part of the backdrop every time he lines up across from the Crimson Tide, and it is impossible to ignore again with LSU set for a playoff matchup against No. 5 Alabama. As a head coach, Kiffin is 0-5 against Alabama, a run that has followed him through stops at different programs and kept this rivalry from ever feeling routine when his name is on the opposite sideline.
Now the stakes are even higher, with No. 14 LSU entering as the favorite and the result carrying real weight for both Kiffin and Alabamas coaching staff. For Kiffin, it is another chance to change a storyline that has followed him for years. For Alabama, it is the kind of game that can sharpen the scrutiny on every decision if the Tide do not handle business in the playoff setting. [Read more 🡒]
Saban Sees One Alabama Problem That Could Decide LSU Trip
Nick Saban knows exactly what tends to decide trips to Baton Rouge, and he pointed to the same place Alabama has been vulnerable lately: the quarterback position. As the Crimson Tide get ready for LSU, Saban focused on Keelon Russells recent issues with turnovers and sacks, while also noting that Alabamas outlook improves with the return of key injured players and a steadier overall lineup.
The challenge now is less about talent than about how Alabama handles the noise and pressure inside Tiger Stadium. Saban stressed the need for mental toughness, maturity and consistency against an LSU defense that can make every mistake feel bigger, and the Tide will have to resist the kind of risky plays that can quickly tilt a road game in the wrong direction. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama Gets An LSU Boost But One Big Health Question Remains
Alabama got a useful bit of good news on the injury front heading into Saturdays trip to LSU, with wide receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams, center Racin Delgatty and defensive lineman Terrance Green all cleared to play. For a team heading into one of the seasons biggest road environments, any added depth matters, especially with kickoff set for 2:30 p.m. CT at Tiger Stadium and the game set for ABC.
The bigger question is how healthy the rest of the roster will be once the Crimson Tide get to Baton Rouge. Several players are still listed as questionable or doubtful, including cornerback Zabien Brown and third-string quarterback Jett Thomalla, leaving Alabama with a few important decisions to monitor as the week moves on. The return of a few contributors helps, but the final availability picture still has some uncertainty attached to it. [Read more 🡒]