Time to reset expectations for Lane Kiffin’s first LSU squad.
Barring a miraculous undefeated finish and some good fortune, this version of LSU football is not a playoff team.
The Tigers (4-2, 1-2) suffered a crushing defeat in Lexington, as the Wildcats upset LSU 35-34 in overtime, handing LSU its second loss of the season. Kiffin was out-moxied by first-year Kentucky head coach Will Stein, opting to punt on a key fourth quarter fourth down that would have iced the game for the Tigers. Stein aggressively coached throughout the game, culminating in a two-point conversion call that secured victory for Kentucky (5-1, 3-1) in overtime.
I can see both sides of the “fourth down call” debate. Yes, in hindsight Kiffin should have trusted his offense to pick up one yard on a crucial fourth down. The Kentucky kicker, however, seemed to have a case of the yips and had already missed two field goals in the fourth quarter. Kiffin played the odds Kentucky’s kicker would miss again (or not even be able to attempt another field goal) and lost.
In that moment, Kiffin coached conservatively, some would even say scared. The passive decision maker in that key instant is not the Kiffin LSU hired, and he will be questioning his choice the rest of the season. I suspect Kiffin will be much more aggressive from here on out. He must be because the Tigers’ margin for error is razor thin if they hope to make the College Football Playoff.
Kiffin, you have a running quarterback, and a running back in Dilin Jones who can take direct snaps. Give the ball to defensive tackle Deuce Geralds again. Just run the ball. If LSU cannot gain one yard when needed, the Tigers do not deserve to win that game.
The decision to punt in that situation, however, is not what cost LSU the game. The entire team, all three phases, made colossal errors, allowing Kentucky to hang around just long enough to pull the upset. In the first quarter, LSU’s defense gave up a 77-yard run that setup an easy Kentucky rushing touchdown. At the beginning of the second quarter, the special teams unit botched the punt coverage, whiffing on several tackles and the Wildcats returned the punt for a score.
LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt turned the ball over twice in the second half, costing the Tigers opportunities to increase their lead. Leavitt has thrown eight picks in six games, at least one in every game this season. He is the only FBS quarterback to accomplish this ignominious distinction.
No team can afford four costly mistakes and expect to win on the road playing in the Southeastern Conference.
Despite those huge gaffes, Kentucky was practically handing a win to LSU on a silver platter late in the game. The Wildcat kicker missed two potential game-tying field goals in the fourth quarter. Yet, the Tiger offense could neither capitalize on these gifts with another score nor bleed enough clock to end the game.
When Kentucky returned the punt for a touchdown in the second quarter, I began to have flashbacks of Kiffin’s 20-17 loss to the Wildcats during his 2024 season at Ole Miss. That loss, the first of three for the Rebels, caused Ole Miss a shot at the playoffs. Kiffin’s latest loss to Kentucky will probably cost his first LSU team a playoff berth as well.
When LSU lost to Ole Miss earlier this season, the result felt like the Rebels beat the Tigers. The Kentucky fiasco was a case of LSU beating itself.
My favorite play of the game
The fourth quarter trick play razzle-dazzle. With nearly 10 minutes left in the final quarter, Leavitt swung a quick pass to LSU wide receiver Jackson Harris, who then proceeded to drop back and launch a 41-yard bomb to tight end Roman Mothershed for a Tiger touchdown.
Looking ahead
CLANGA! CLANGA! CLANGA! LSU returns to Baton Rouge to host No. 16 Mississippi State, and their cowbells, in an early (11 a.m.) kickoff. The Bulldogs (4-1, 2-1) are coming off a bye week after being manhandled by Alabama two weeks ago. The Tiger defense could have their hands full with Mississippi State’s electric quarterback Kamario Taylor, who’s thrown for over 1,400 yards and 17 touchdowns this season.