LSU falls to Alabama, extending Lane Kiffin's losing streak to six
The Tigers lost 31-13 to the Crimson Tide on Saturday, a result that leaves them 0-3 against teams in the College Football Playoff rankings.
By Lauren Foster ·
Lane Kiffin lost his sixth consecutive game against Alabama on Saturday. No. 14 LSU dropped to No. 5 Alabama 31-13 at the Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, a defeat that erased a third-quarter lead and deepened the skepticism surrounding the new head coach.
The loss places LSU at 6-3 for the season. More telling is the team's record against ranked opponents, which now stands at 0-3. The Tigers' most recent win came against an unranked team, while their best performance this season was a one-point road loss to No. 6 Kentucky. Kiffin has managed to elevate the team against lower-tier competition, but the results against elite programs have remained stagnant.
The game featured a stark contrast between the pre-game spectacle and the on-field performance. Kiffin was accompanied by Shaquille O'Neal, Angel Reese, and Kevin Costner for the team's walk to the field. Kiffin signed a seven-year contract worth $91 million, tying him with Kirby Smart for the second-highest pay in college football. His roster, valued at nearly $50 million according to 247Sports, represents the most expensive group in the sport.
Alabama controlled the game in high-leverage moments. The Crimson Tide held LSU to a field goal after a first-and-goal situation and forced a missed extra point attempt that led to a touchdown. LSU turned the ball over on downs three times, twice in the fourth quarter, and committed two other turnovers. The offensive line struggled to protect the quarterback, resulting in a defensive performance by Alabama coordinator Kane Wommack that stifled the passing game.
Statistical analysis from Game on Paper shows that LSU generated 457 total yards. However, the quality of those yards was low. The team finished in the 19th percentile for yards per play and the 20th percentile for expected points added per play. The most striking metric was the explosive play rate, where LSU placed in only the 1st percentile. This indicates the offense failed to create big plays that forced Alabama to adjust its defensive scheme.
Kiffin's departure from Ole Miss left the program in a strong position, with Pete Golding leading the Rebels to the national semifinals last season. Kiffin has never coached a postseason game. That streak is likely to continue this year. LSU has two opportunities to secure wins against ranked opponents, facing No. 7 Texas and No. 13 Tennessee. A split result would end the season at 8-4 with a 1-4 record against the top 25.
The offseason ahead will require significant roster rebuilding. Most of the team's best players are eligible to enter the NFL draft. For the first time since 2016, the top two recruits from Louisiana are leaving the state. No. 3 quarterback Elijah Haven, a Baton Rouge native, chose Alabama and coach Kalen DeBoer over Kiffin. Kiffin arrives for the next game with a program that has drawn national attention but has not yet delivered a victory against a top-five team.
