LSU head coach Lane Kiffin has expressed his opposition to the Southeastern Conference's new nine-game conference schedule, citing the increased number of losses that teams will incur due to the additional game.
In a recent news conference, Kiffin argued that the math behind the new schedule guarantees the SEC eight extra in-conference losses, which he believes will negatively impact the conference's overall strength. He pointed to Auburn's current ranking as an example, suggesting that the team would be ranked higher if not for the additional loss.
Kiffin also touched on the topic of player transfers and name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals, stating that the increased mobility of players is making it harder for teams to build depth. He suggested that adding more conference games is exacerbating the problem.
The SEC's new schedule has been a topic of discussion among college football fans and analysts, with some arguing that it will lead to a more balanced and competitive conference. However, Kiffin's comments have sparked debate about the potential impact of the new schedule on the conference's overall strength.
According to ESPN's SP+ rankings, which evaluate team efficiency on offense, defense, and special teams, the Big Ten currently has nine teams in the top 30, compared to seven for the SEC. This has led some to question the validity of Kiffin's claims about the SEC's depth.
The LSU Tigers still have a tough schedule ahead of them, with upcoming games against Auburn, Alabama, Texas, and Tennessee, among others. With two losses in their first seven games, Kiffin will need to win out to keep LSU in contention for a College Football Playoff spot.
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