Alabama Defeats LSU 31-13 to Damage Tigers’ Playoff Hopes

No. 9 Alabama defeated No. 15 LSU 31-13 on November 7, 2026, at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, extending Lane Kiffin’s career record against the Crimson Tide to 0-6.

LSU outgained Alabama 457 yards to 285 yards and ran 81 plays compared to the visitors’ 53, according to ESPN. The Tigers went 0-for-4 on fourth down and managed only one touchdown and one field goal across four trips to the red zone. ESPN reported that LSU’s chances of making the College Football Playoff fell from 51% to 25% following the loss.

Analyst Jeff Asher pointed out that LSU is the initial collegiate program since West Virginia in 2004 to drop a game by 18 or more points while accumulating 450-plus yards and restricting its opponent to under 290.

Prior to kickoff, LSU coach Lane Kiffin walked from a team bus down a barricaded short route toward the northern side of the stadium while accompanied by several notable figures: actor Kevin Costner, former LSU hurler and Pittsburgh Pirates standout Paul Skenes, WNBA star and ex-LSU player Angel Reese, basketball hall of famer and former LSU standout Shaquille O’Neal, and former LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne.

I was looking at a sheet and it said Sam [Leavitt] had 380 yards passing and Jackson Harris had 11 [receptions] for 166 [yards] and Trey'Dez [Green] had 10 [receptions] for 85 [yards]. I wouldn't think that would equal 13 points, Kiffin said, as noted by ESPN. But you got to score touchdowns in the red zone.

LSU briefly seized a 13-10 lead late in the third quarter when Dilin Jones scored on a 5-yard run.

Pro Football Focus grades from the victory included several strong defensive performances for the Crimson Tide, led by London Simmons, Red Morgan, and Devan Thompkins. Simmons finished with Alabama’s highest defensive grade at 84.1 across 41 snaps.

Russell completed his passes under physical duress and spent time in an injury tent during the third quarter after absorbing a sack from LSU safety Ty Benefield, Tide1009 reported. He returned to throw three touchdowns on the afternoon, connecting with Josh Ford for 7 yards, Cederian Morgan for 25 yards, and Kaleb Edwards for 4 yards, per Alabama Daily News.

Through the grace of God, it wasn’t a big injury, Russell said, according to Alabama Daily News. I knew if I had got out of this game I was going to feel really bad about myself because I didn’t think I had gave it my all… I wasn’t going to let an injury stop me from being who I am.

Sam Leavitt finished 35-for-47 for 380 yards for LSU, but the offense stalled on crucial downs. Fox News reported that LSU assembled a roster approaching $50 million through the transfer portal for this season.

The victory lifts Kalen DeBoer’s Crimson Tide to 7-2 overall and 5-2 in the Southeastern Conference. LSU drops to 6-3 overall and hosts Texas in Baton Rouge on November 14, 2026, while Alabama travels to face Vanderbilt on the same date, according to Alabama Daily News.

More on this story: LSU Defeats Auburn 38-17 Behind Sam Leavitt · No. 7 Texas rallies past Missouri to keep playoff hopes alive