LSU, Alabama Meet as Annual Series Pauses

LSU debuted at No. 14 in the first College Football Playoff rankings, just outside the 12-team field, ahead of its Saturday home game against No. 5 Alabama; both teams are 6-2 and seeking to strengthen their playoff prospects. Their coaches say the matchup will not decide the season, and LSU still faces No. 7 Texas and No. 13 Tennessee later this month. LSU coach Lane Kiffin has called Alabama’s defense the Tigers’ toughest test so far; the Tide allows 21.2 points per game, and both teams have productive offenses. Alabama is looking to build on its win over Texas A&M after losses to Georgia and Tennessee. The game marks the end of the teams’ annual meetings under the SEC’s new scheduling format: they have played every season since 1964, but the series is not protected, with no game scheduled in 2027 and another interruption planned for 2029.