The anticipation is mounting for a high-stakes showdown on November 9, when No. 14 Alabama travels to Tiger Stadium to take on No. 16 LSU.
Both teams, each holding 6-2 records, have their sights set on a possible path to the College Football Playoff and beyond.
Although still a week away, this matchup is critical for both programs, with Alabama looking to build on recent momentum and LSU eager to find consistency.
Alabama heads into its Week 10 bye with confidence, fresh off a dominant 34-0 shutout victory over Missouri.
Meanwhile, LSU is left regrouping after a painful second-half collapse against Texas A&M, where they allowed the Aggies to rally for a 31-6 scoring spree after halftime, culminating in a 38-23 loss.
Speculation about the futures of both head coaches, particularly in such a season-defining rivalry contest, is widespread.
In his weekly mailbag for The Athletic, college football insider Stewart Mandel was asked if either Alabama鈥檚 first-year head coach Kalen DeBoer or LSU鈥檚 third-year head coach Brian Kelly could see their jobs in jeopardy depending on the game’s outcome.
Mandel downplayed the possibility of Alabama making a drastic decision on DeBoer, regardless of how the rest of the season plays out.
However, he suggested that Kelly, despite his solid tenure so far, could see increased scrutiny with a loss to Alabama next week.
A victory, though, might open the door to even greater security for the LSU coach…
“I鈥檓 picking LSU to beat Alabama, and what a momentum swing that would be,” Mandel wrote. “The Tigers get back on track for a CFP berth. All is forgiven for the loss to Texas A&M. And Kelly starts out having won two of his first three Alabama games. One word: Extension!”
Kelly鈥檚 current contract with LSU – a massive ten-year, $95 million agreement – was put in place before the 2022 season, reflecting LSU鈥檚 high hopes for the 63-year-old veteran coach.
Since joining LSU, Kelly has amassed a 26-9 overall record and stands at 15-5 in the SEC. Those numbers might be impressive for some coaches, but truth be told, many Tigers fans have been disappointed with Kelly.
He delivered back-to-back 10-win seasons in his first two years but has yet to bring the Tigers into the College Football Playoff conversation.
A victory over Alabama next week would change all of that.
While we have an excellent day of college football on-tap for tomorrow, it’s hard not to peak ahead to next week’s epic SEC showdown.
Sure, it’s not quite the same with Nick Saban gone, but the fact of the matter is LSU-Alabama remains one of college football’s greatest rivalries.
Having said that, do you agree that Kelly could earn an extension if he beats the Tide next week and finishes the season strong?
Or is he on shakier ground than what many realize???
