Lane Kiffin Monday Press Conference (Alabama Week)...Link & Tidbits Inside

No. 15 LSU (6-2, 3-2 SEC) returns to Tiger Stadium on Saturday to face No. 9 Alabama (6-2, 4-2 SEC) in a highly anticipated SEC showdown. Kickoff is set for 2:30pm CT on ABC.

LSU is currently favored by 5.5 points. The over/under is 52.5.

LSU is coming off a 38-17 road victory over Auburn, while Alabama defeated Texas A&M, 31-20, in Tuscaloosa. Both teams had a bye week this past Saturday.

Alabama has won the last three meetings between the two schools, including a 20-9 victory in Tuscaloosa last season. The Crimson Tide also won their last trip to Baton Rouge, defeating LSU 42-13 in 2024.

This will be the 91st meeting between the two schools. Alabama leads the all-time series 58-27-5. Series History

LSU's Team Stats Rankings (Nationally):
#6 in Total Offense (510.0 yds per game)
#4 in Total Defense (258.1 yds per game)

#1 in First Downs Per Game (28)
#10 in 3rd Down Conversions (61 of118)
#3 in 4th Down Conversions (13 of 16)

#28 in Rushing Offense 192.0 yds per game)
#7 in Passing Offense (318.0 yds per game)

#7 in Rushing Defense (85.4 yds per game)
#13 in Passing Defense (172.8 yds per game)
LINK to NCAA Stats Page

Press Conference Tidbits:
- LSU vs Texas kickoff time will be announced after Bama game: 2:30 or 6:30 CT

- Kiffin thinks bye weeks are overrated...history doesn't show that it leads to more wins for a team.

- On Sam Leavitt's recent production: he's making better decisions, doing more checkdowns, throwing to RB more, etc...he missed spring practice so it makes sense why it took until middle of season to start clicking.

- Kiffin says it is sad that LSU/Alabama series will not be annual after this year...blames money for annual rivalry games being ended.

- Kiffin had no injury updates to discuss (was asked specifically about Whitt Weeks)...says to wait until report comes out Wednesday.

- Kiffin says Alabama is most talented team they will have faced to date...well coached, big and explosive.

- On DJ Pickett in recent weeks: was told to play more physical and it has shown in his coverage and tackling.

- Kiffin can't explain the topsy-turvy nature of this football season, with teams being up one weekend and down the next...but it is something that stands out this season.

- Kiffin said LSU is 16-1 in last 17 2:30pm kickoffs...he said Tennessee supposedly broke the noise record during their 2:30pm game against Alabama...so he challenged fans to bring the noise and energy on Saturday.

On DL Deuce Geralds stepping up as a freshman: productive and relentless...very physical but also mature for his age.

- On the future of LSU's roster: says it should get even stronger now that he knows the entire current roster and how they will fit into next year's plans and what holes he knows he has to fill.