Kiffin's excuse pattern continues in LSU's second loss — SkimNews
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- Lane Kiffin absorbs blame for LSU's overtime loss at Kentucky — his second defeat in six games and one that dropped the Tigers to 4-2 and No. 22 in the AP poll after a 10-spot slide.
- After the game, Kiffin cited three officiating grievances: forward progress wasn't blown dead on Kentucky's fourth-and-goal tush push at the end of the first half (the line judge told him 'there's just too much at stake'), a disputed overtime clock operation, and a false-start penalty instead called as a timeout before Kentucky quarterback Kenny Minchey's game-winning two-point keeper.
- With 1:46 left and facing fourth-and-1 at his own 43, Kiffin punted rather than attempt to convert, citing Kentucky kicker Adam Zouagui's two prior missed chip-shot field goals as the rationale.
- The excuse-making pattern extends back to Kiffin's reaction after the first loss at Ole Miss, where he blamed stadium music being played through snaps — though SEC rules require music to cut once the center touches the ball.
- LSU's remaining schedule includes home games against No. 16 Mississippi State, No. 6 Alabama, and No. 7 Texas, a trip to No. 14 Tennessee, and a finale against Arkansas; the source notes a nine-win finish might not be enough for the 12-team College Football Playoff given SEC strength-of-record advantages held by other potential 9-3 contenders.
Why it matters: A second loss dropped LSU to 4-2 and No. 22 in the AP poll, putting November games against No. 6 Alabama, No. 7 Texas, and No. 14 Tennessee directly on the 12-team College Football Playoff path. The source notes a nine-win finish 'might not be enough' for the Tigers given SEC strength-of-record math, leaving Kiffin little margin for further conservative in-game calls or externalized postgame blame.
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