LSU head coach Lane Kiffin has expressed surprise and skepticism regarding the 3:30 p.m. kickoff time for the upcoming Week 10 game between Alabama and LSU, suggesting the Southeastern Conference (SEC) might be intentionally scheduling the game to disadvantage the Tigers.
"I never even considered that it wouldn't be at night," Kiffin stated Wednesday. "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."
The rivalry matchup between Alabama and LSU has become a fixture of the SEC's night schedule in recent years. The game has kicked off under the lights in each of the past six seasons, with the last non-night meeting in Baton Rouge occurring in 2010.
Kiffin, who previously coached at Ole Miss, drew a parallel to his team's upcoming Primetime game against Georgia on November 7. Amidst ongoing legal disputes involving Kiffin, LSU, and the SEC, the LSU coach alluded to the possibility that the scheduling decision could be an attempt by the conference to penalize him or the program.
"I was joking to [LSU SID Michael Bonnette] earlier, saying 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 and how intimidating it is to play here," Kiffin said. "I was like, '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.'"
Kiffin added, "I guess when I look at it that way, I'm not surprised."
Historically, LSU has struggled in home games against Alabama played at night, holding a 1-6 record in their last seven such contests at Tiger Stadium. Many of these losses have been by significant margins.
Both LSU and Alabama are on a bye this week, with both teams entering the break holding identical 6-2 records. Since their loss to Kentucky on October 10, Kiffin has led LSU to consecutive victories over other SEC opponents.