LSU coach jokes about Baton Rouge curfew for 2:30 p.m. Alabama game
Lane Kiffin suggests fans shift routines and enforce a 10 p.m. shutdown to prepare for the early kickoff against the Crimson Tide.
By John Wilson ·
LSU fans will need to wake up earlier and go to bed earlier this week if they want to support their team against Alabama. The game is set for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff at Tiger Stadium, a time slot that head coach Lane Kiffin previously called less than ideal. On Monday, he proposed a practical fix: a citywide curfew.
Kiffin told reporters that fans should adjust their daily schedules to match the early start time. He suggested moving breakfast, work, and bedtime forward by several hours. He joked that if voluntary changes prove difficult, the city could simply shut down at 10 p.m. on Friday to ensure everyone is resting.
The coach cited data to support the early start. LSU has lost only one home game with a 2:30 p.m. kickoff since 2009. That single defeat occurred in 2020 against Mississippi State, 44-34, with approximately 21,000 fans in attendance. In every other instance during that period, the Tigers have won their 16 home games in that slot.
Kiffin also pointed to a recent noise record. Tennessee’s crowd reached 130.3 decibels during a 2:30 p.m. game against Alabama on Oct. 17. Kiffin said he hopes LSU’s fans can match that volume to create a home-field advantage despite the afternoon timing.
The No. 15 Tigers, with a record of 6-2, enter this matchup as underdogs against the No. 9 Crimson Tide. A victory would keep LSU in strong contention for the College Football Playoff. The team has suffered two losses this season, including a narrow 35-34 overtime defeat to Kentucky. Kiffin noted that playing meaningful games in November gives the squad a chance to recover from those stumbles.
Alabama, also 6-2, faces a different scenario. A loss to LSU could end their playoff hopes because their remaining schedule includes only unranked teams: Vanderbilt, Chattanooga, and Auburn. They have not secured a win against a ranked opponent this season, losing to both Georgia and Tennessee.
Kiffin described Alabama as the most talented team LSU has faced so far, praising their size and speed. He highlighted sophomore quarterback Keelon Russell and star receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams. Coleman-Williams missed time due to knee surgery but has recorded 415 receiving yards and four touchdowns in six games. Coach Kalen DeBoer listed him among players returning to full field work on Monday.
LSU’s defense ranks fourth nationally, allowing 258 yards per game. The team is one sack away from the national lead with 34 total sacks. At home, LSU has held Power 4 opponents to an average of just 5.3 points per game this season. Kiffin said the plan is to control the lanes against Russell and use the crowd to disrupt the Alabama offense.
