The latest wrinkles of Alabama's football schedule have unfolded. On Wednesday evening, the SEC league office shared a few scheduling quirks that could be implemented as the season goes along. Alabama not only has two more confirmed night games vs. South Carolina and Georgia at home, but four more of its games could be flexed into primetime, if need be. This would include at LSU on Nov. 7.
The LSU road date might come right after Alabama's annual bye on Oct. 31, but it could potentially be the fourth night game in a row the Crimson Tide would play. Georgia (Oct. 10) has been confirmed as a night game in Tuscaloosa. At Tennessee (Oct. 17) and home vs. Texas A&M (Oct. 24) can be flexed into primetime from their mid-afternoon designations, too. Also, there is Lane Kiffin to worry about.
Alabama and LSU are not annual opponents, so this will be the first time DeBoer and Kiffin will face each other as SEC head coaches. Kiffin's former employer of Ole Miss used to play Alabama annually as members of the old SEC West division. With the additions of Oklahoma and Texas to the league, the Crimson Tide have not played the Rebels since 2023. Alabama vs. LSU could be something huge.
With where Alabama and LSU fall in the SEC pecking order, the winner of this game in Baton Rouge could conceivably punch its ticket into the College Football Playoff. Conversely, the loser may be up against it, and would have to pick up the pieces the rest of the way. Given the stakes that are involved, one would expect for this one to be under the bright lights of Tiger Stadium in Death Valley more likely than not.
Simply, Alabama's toughest road game of the year has become even more so following this update.
Kalen DeBoer should expect to play Lane Kiffin under the bright lights
When looking at Alabama's schedule, the Crimson Tide will have to play five of their nine conference games on the road: at Kentucky, Mississippi State, Tennessee, LSU and Vanderbilt. However, their two hardest games in league play will both be at home vs. Georgia and Texas A&M. This date with the Aggies could be flexed into primetime. However, playing at Bryant-Denny at night is always ominous.
In short, Alabama has the schedule to win 10-plus games and make a return trip to the College Football Playoff. It would need to win one of the three contests between Georgia and Texas A&M at home, as well as the increasingly challenging road game at LSU. Had the LSU game been an early afternoon kick like Mississippi State and Vanderbilt games are, that would have made this schedule even easier.
As far as LSU is concerned, the Tigers face a much tougher schedule when compared to Alabama. Not only do they have to play five of their nine conference games away from Baton Rouge, but they host Clemson out of the ACC to start the regular season. LSU's other hard games are at Ole Miss and home vs. Texas A&M, Alabama, and Texas. Those could be four LSU losses if it hits the fan for Kiffin.
Read more: Alabama football will have an advantage over every regular season opponent
Overall, there is a non-zero chance that LSU could be fighting for its playoff life when Alabama comes to town. Two losses to either Clemson, Ole Miss, or Texas A&M would have them on the precipice of elimination. Even if LSU only has two defeats after playing Alabama, next up will be Texas. Having the Alabama date potentially being a night game would do wonders for keeping its playoff dreams alive.
Ultimately, even if this game could be played under the bright lights in Tiger Stadium, Alabama has had the upper hand in this rivalry for quite some time. Not only are the Crimson Tide 58-27-5 in the rivalry series, it has won the last three games, and is 30-10-2 all-time at Tiger Stadium. It may be the first time DeBoer and Kiffin will face each other in SEC play, but Alabama will have the advantage.
As long as Alabama holds steady and wins in Baton Rouge, a trip back to the playoff feels promising.
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