Alabama Routs LSU 31-13 in Death Valley
Alabama pulled away late to beat LSU, dropping the Tigers to 6-3 and clouding their College Football Playoff hopes.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Football
Alabama defeated LSU 31-13 in Death Valley, pulling away with late scores and controlling the fourth quarter. The loss drops LSU to 6-3 while Alabama improves to 7-2.
Why it matters
LSU entered the weekend ranked No. 14 and is expected to fall several spots in the next AP top 25 poll, possibly outside the top 20. The result leaves the Tigers' College Football Playoff chances severely diminished, while Alabama is positioned to contend for a high seed.
The game produced a 31-13 final score, with LSU dropping to 6-3 from No. 14 in the AP poll and Alabama moving to 7-2 and No. 5 in the initial CFP rankings. Lane Kiffin has not won a game against Alabama as a head coach across six meetings, and LSU's exact post-game AP ranking is not yet available.
The players
Lane Kiffin
Lane Kiffin is the head football coach at LSU and has not won a game against Alabama as a head coach in six meetings.
The details
Alabama pulled away with late scores after the offense stalled under pressure for LSU, which failed on critical drives and squandered red zone opportunities. LSU was unable to sustain drives against Alabama's physical defense in the game played in Death Valley.
Timeline
November 7, 2026: Alabama defeats LSU 31-13 in Death Valley.
December: LSU's playoff relevance is at stake.
Season Trajectory
The loss shifts the balance in the Southeastern Conference race as LSU's playoff path narrows while Alabama builds momentum in the initial College Football Playoff rankings. Alabama's win over a ranked rival positions it to contend for a high seed and a deep playoff run.
The result affects standings math in the Southeastern Conference, with LSU needing to rebuild its playoff profile over its remaining games. Fans tracking the College Football Playoff race should watch how the committee weighs Alabama's win in its next ranking release.
The takeaway
For a team seeking a playoff berth, a single loss to a ranked rival can reshape the entire season, so tracking the committee's weekly rankings is essential to understanding where a team stands.
What happens next
LSU's playoff relevance will be determined as the College Football Playoff committee releases its updated rankings in December.
Further reading
Follow the latest developments in the Football section for more coverage of the Alabama-LSU matchup and its playoff implications.
