When the SEC posted a mid‑afternoon start for the November 7 LSU‑Alabama clash, Lane Kiffin said he hadn’t even considered the game could be played before dark.
Key points
- Lane Kiffin was surprised that the SEC scheduled the LSU‑Alabama rivalry for a mid‑afternoon kickoff, breaking a recent tradition of night games.
- Kiffin hinted that the league’s timing decision could be an attempt to reduce LSU’s perceived advantage in night‑time environments.
- Historical data shows LSU has struggled in night home games against Alabama, going 1‑6 in the last seven such contests.
The SEC’s November 7 schedule listed the LSU‑Alabama rivalry as a 3:30 p.m. ET contest, breaking a six‑year streak of primetime showdowns. LSU head coach Lane Kiffin said the timing caught him off‑guard during a Wednesday teleconference, noting he “never even considered that it wouldn’t be at night.”
Kiffin explained that he had assumed the game would continue its 16‑year tradition of night‑time kickoffs, saying, “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.” He recalled that the only recent non‑night meeting in Baton Rouge occurred back in 2010, and the last overall afternoon start was the 2019 showdown that featured Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa.
Kiffin’s reaction to the schedule change
Adding a layer of intrigue, Ole Miss—Kiffin’s former school—received the primetime slot for its home game against Georgia. Kiffin joked that the SEC might be tweaking the schedule to curb LSU’s night‑time edge, telling LSU senior associate director Michael Bonnette, “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… 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.”
The timing shift is not unprecedented. The last time Alabama and LSU met in the afternoon was in 2019, when No. 2 LSU traveled to Bryant‑Denny Stadium. Historically, LSU’s night‑home record against Alabama has been poor—1‑6 in the last seven night games, with several lopsided defeats. The data suggests that while the night atmosphere in “Death Valley” is intimidating, it has not guaranteed success for the Tigers.
Historical night‑game trends for LSU vs. Alabama
Regardless of the clock, the stakes remain high. LSU will enter the game with at least two losses, and a defeat would severely limit its College Football Playoff prospects. Kiffin’s comments underscore the pressure on him to deliver a win in a matchup that carries both conference and national implications.
Reader questions
Why has the LSU‑Alabama game traditionally been played at night?
For the past 16 years the rivalry has been scheduled as a primetime event, largely because the night atmosphere in LSU’s “Death Valley” is considered a home‑field advantage.
When was the last time the two teams met in the afternoon?
The most recent afternoon meeting was on November 9, 2019, when No. 2 LSU faced No. 3 Alabama at Bryant‑Denny Stadium.
How has LSU performed in night games against Alabama at home?
LSU is 1‑6 in its last seven night home games against Alabama, with several losses being decisive.
Source: cbssports.com