Lane Kiffin Laments End of LSU-Alabama Yearly Rivalry Game, 'Really Come Down to Money'

Alabama and LSU have faced each other every year since 1964, but that will change during the 2027 college football season.

And LSU head coach Lane Kiffin isn't happy about it.

"I think that's just sad," Kiffin said Monday, per ESPN's Alex Scarborough. "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. So, I think it's all sad in general in the big picture of things that money drives to make [changes to] such great traditions and rivalries.

"And there's 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. And so unfortunately it's where we are that really doesn't seem like much is going to be protected when it comes to TV contracts and money and other people's ideas."

As Scarborough explained, the SEC designated three permanent rivals for each team in anticipation of moving to a nine-game conference schedule. Alabama and LSU were not named as permanent rivals, meaning they will not face each other next year but will play in 2028 and at least once every two years following.

Alabama's permanent rivals are Auburn, Mississippi State and Tennessee, while LSU's are Texas A&M, Arkansas and Ole Miss.

Alabama Crimson Tide - Tennessee Volunteers Highlights

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The Crimson Tide have longstanding traditional rivalry games with Auburn and Tennessee, while Mississippi State is approximately 90 miles away. Geography clearly played a role in the decision to include the Bulldogs.

Kiffin is familiar with the games between LSU and Alabama from the latter's side, as he was the Crimson Tide's offensive coordinator from 2014 through 2016 under head coach Nick Saban. Saban himself was LSU's head coach for five seasons before he built Alabama into the gold standard of college football during his 17 years at the helm.

That such a notable figure as Saban coached for both sides elevated the rivalry.

As for Kiffin, Saturday's game will be his first against the Crimson Tide as the head coach of LSU. The stakes couldn't be much higher, as the winner will be in solid College Football Playoff position, while the loser will have three losses and likely be on the outside looking in ahead of the stretch run.