Lane Kiffin 'sad' that LSU's annual rivalry game against Alabama is ending after SEC didn't protect the game

The Tigers head coach, speaking on Monday ahead of No. 15 LSU's battle against No. 9 Alabama this weekend, is sad that the protected rivalry between the two SEC West schools is coming to an end. Alabama and LSU won't play each other next season, as the SEC didn't designate it a permanent rivalry when the league moved to a nine-game conference schedule. Instead, LSU and Alabama will take 2027 off. They will then play each other in 2028, and at least once every two years after that. LSU and Alabama have played each other every season since 1964.