LSU head coach Lane Kiffin expressed surprise after the SEC announced that the November 7 rivalry game against Alabama in Baton Rouge will kick off in the mid-afternoon rather than at night. For the previous six seasons, the matchup had been played under the lights, and the last time the game was not a night contest in Tiger Stadium was 2010.
"I never even considered that it wouldn't be at night," Kiffin said during a Wednesday teleconference. "I didn't even think to think about the time. I just assumed, especially since the last 16 years, this game has been at night here all the time. I guess that's probably naive of me."
The decision drew additional attention because Ole Miss, Kiffin's former program, received the primetime slot for its home game against Georgia on the same weekend. Amid ongoing legal disputes between Kiffin, LSU, and the SEC, the coach suggested the league office might be trying to disadvantage his team.
"I was joking to [LSU SID Michael Bonnette] earlier, saying obviously the SEC wanted to change it from how it's been to give LSU less of an advantage because of how well LSU plays at night and how intimidating it is to play here," Kiffin said. "I was like, 'If someone thinks the SEC wants us to win this year after what's been going on, they must've just been on Mars the last four months.' I guess when I look at it that way, I'm not surprised."
Historical context
The 2019 meeting between the two programs, a highly anticipated clash between No. 2 LSU led by Joe Burrow and No. 3 Alabama led by Tua Tagovailoa, also kicked off at 3:30 p.m. ET in Tuscaloosa. Despite Tiger Stadium's reputation as one of college football's most intimidating night venues, LSU has struggled against Alabama in evening games at home. Since 2012, the Tigers are 1-6 in night home games versus the Crimson Tide, with the lone victory coming in 2022.
Year-by-year results:
2012: Alabama 21-17
2014: Alabama 20-13
2016: Alabama 10-0
2018: Alabama 29-0
2020: Alabama 55-17
2022: LSU 32-31
2024: Alabama 42-13
Regardless of kickoff time, pressure remains on Kiffin to secure a win. LSU already carries at least two losses, and a defeat to Alabama would significantly narrow the team's path to the College Football Playoff.
