BATON ROUGE, October 27, 2026 — The Southeastern Conference has confirmed that the upcoming meeting between LSU and Alabama in Tiger Stadium on November 7 will serve as the final annual matchup in a 130-year rivalry. The game is scheduled for a 2:30 p.m. CT kickoff and will be broadcast on ABC.
A Historical Shift in Conference Scheduling
The decision to end the yearly tradition stems from recent conference realignment and scheduling adjustments. According to the SEC, LSU was not named as one of Alabama’s three permanent conference opponents during the offseason. This administrative change effectively concludes a series that began on November 18, 1895. When the 2027 season begins, it will mark the first time since 1963 that the Crimson Tide and the Tigers do not face each other on the gridiron.
The historical data reflects the intensity of this long-standing series. Alabama currently leads the all-time series with a record of 58-27-5. The Crimson Tide has historically found success in Baton Rouge, maintaining a 30-10-3 record at Tiger Stadium, which statistically outperforms their home record of 27-17-2. Despite the historical parity of the rivalry, Alabama has exerted dominance in recent years, winning eight of the last 10 meetings, including the previous three consecutive contests.
Current Form and Strategic Preparation
Both programs enter this final annual encounter with identical records. LSU holds a 6-2 overall mark with a 3-2 record in league play, while Alabama also sits at 6-2 overall with a 4-2 record in conference action. Both teams are currently idle, utilizing the bye week to address roster health and tactical adjustments before the November 7 showdown. For Alabama, the break provides necessary recovery time for several injured starters who were active during their recent win over Texas A&M.
LSU enters the matchup following a 38-17 victory against Auburn. The Tigers are looking to recapture the momentum they found during their 2022 campaign, which saw the team secure a 32-31 overtime victory against Alabama during head coach Brian Kelly’s first season. This win remains the last time LSU defeated the Crimson Tide.
Coaching Debuts and Venue Dynamics
The November 7 game will feature a new tactical dynamic as it marks the first meeting between head coaches Lane Kiffin and Kalen DeBoer. The coaching transition represents the broader evolution of both programs as they navigate the shifting competitive environment of the SEC. DeBoer, who took over the Alabama program following the 2024 season, is managing a team that recently snapped a two-game losing streak against Georgia and Tennessee by defeating Texas A&M.
The atmosphere in Baton Rouge is expected to be distinct due to the kickoff time. The 2:30 p.m. CT start will be the first daytime kickoff for this rivalry in Tiger Stadium since 2010. In that 2010 matchup, LSU defeated the then-defending national champion Crimson Tide with a final score of 24-21. While the annual tradition is concluding, future scheduling indicates that Alabama will host LSU in 2028, though the Crimson Tide is not slated to return to Baton Rouge until at least 2030.
The scheduling of this final annual meeting highlights the changing calculus of college football conference structures. As the SEC adapts to new membership and expanded schedules, the loss of this traditional fixture signals a move away from long-standing regional rotations. For the international audience following the progression of American collegiate sports, this final game in Baton Rouge represents the end of a century-long tradition that has defined the competitive identity of both the Tigers and the Crimson Tide.
Sources
- LSU Football vs. Alabama to Kickoff on ABC
- Kickoff Time, TV Assignment Announced for Alabama Football at LSU
- LSU vs. Alabama kickoff time announced for Nov. 7 – Louisiana Sports
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