Lane Kiffin Sounds Off On LSU-Alabama Rivalry No Longer Being Played Annually

LSU head coach Lane Kiffin expressed his disappointment Monday over the upcoming changes to the LSU-Alabama rivalry, which will no longer be played annually under the SEC's new scheduling format.

LSU and Alabama have met every season since 1964, a 63-year streak that will end in 2027. The two programs are scheduled to meet again in 2028.

During his weekly press conference, Kiffin was asked whether losing the annual matchup was good or bad for college football and the conference.

“Yeah, I mean, I think that’s just sad,” Kiffin said. “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.”

Kiffin pointed to the growing influence of television contracts and revenue on college football, saying some of the sport's greatest traditions are being sacrificed in the process.

“And so I think it’s all sad in general, in the big picture of things, you know, that money drives to make such great traditions and rivalries,” Kiffin said.

“There are 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.”

Kiffin closed by suggesting that few traditions are safe from the business side of college football.

“Unfortunately, it’s where we are that really doesn’t seem like much is going to be protected when it comes to, you know, TV contracts and money and other people’s ideas.”

LSU and Alabama will meet Saturday in Tiger Stadium, with kickoff set for 2:30 p.m. CT on ABC.