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By Andrew Gould
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Lane Kiffin joined LSU right as the program ends an annual rivalry series with his former employer.
No. 15 LSU will host No. 9 Alabama this Saturday in an SEC matchup with significant College Football Playoff stakes. However, next year will mark the first time since 1963 they don't face off during the season.
The Tigers head coach, who worked under Nick Saban as a Crimson Tide offensive coordinator from 2014 to 2016, expressed sorrow over the scheduling development.
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"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 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."
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The SEC will shift to a nine-game conference schedule, and LSU/Alabama wasn't earmarked as a permanent rivalry. LSU will continue to face Texas A&M, Arkansas, and Ole Miss every year, and Alabama will maintain annual matchups against Auburn, Mississippi State, and Tennessee.
LSU and Alabama will clash again in 2028 and then at least once every two years after. But the 2027 calendar won't look the same for either prestigious program.
Of course, both teams are probably more focused on their upcoming game at Baton Rouge. Neither program has much margin for error at 6-2, so the loser's CFP chances could evaporate.
Saturday's LSU versus Alabama clash starts at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
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