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Lane Kiffin has taken the helm of the LSU Tigers, a storied college football program, bringing a wealth of experience and a proven track record. His coaching journey includes successful stints at multiple SEC schools and in Conference USA, where he earned a reputation as a program builder. However, one achievement has eluded him: guiding a team to the College Football Playoff. With heightened expectations in Baton Rouge this season, the Tigers are aiming for signature wins down the stretch to secure a playoff berth, knowing this might be their final opportunity under the current format.
A Shifting Playoff Landscape
Every team aspires to compete in the CFP and play deep into December for a shot at the national title. Until the 2024 season, the playoff was an exclusive four-team affair, selected by a 13-member committee that weighed conference championships, strength of schedule, and head-to-head results. Over a decade, this system sparked repeated controversies over deserving teams being left out. In response, the CFP expanded to a 12-team bracket in 2024, granting automatic bids to the five highest-ranked conference champions and allowing the committee to select seven at-large teams. This format has been in place for two seasons and will be used for the final time this December.
The CFP is set to expand again, this time doubling to a 24-team playoff for the 2027-2028 season. This will introduce a new level of postseason competition and reshape expectations for every program involved.
Implications for LSU
For Kiffin and the Bayou Bengals, this shift changes the strategic landscape. A larger playoff field could reduce the intensity of the regular-season grind, as the reward becomes less exclusive. Consider this season: LSU needed to win out just to stay on the committee's radar. Before facing Alabama last week, the Tigers were ranked No. 14 in the CFP rankings, right around the cutoff line. Following the loss to Alabama, their margin for error vanished, necessitating victories over Texas, Tennessee, and Arkansas to remain in contention as a three-loss team. In the future, a three-loss record may carry more weight, making it easier for LSU to secure a playoff spot. That scenario could become the norm rather than a late-season hope. The focus will shift from whether LSU can simply qualify for the playoffs to how Kiffin and his team can compete once they are there, as they should be each postseason.
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Brooke Benedict is a sophomore at LSU majoring in journalism. Originally from Boulder, Colorado, she enjoys skiing, hiking, and Pilates. She has always loved watching sports and the way they bring people together. She spent one semester as a sports columnist for the LSU student newspaper and is excited to continue her LSU sports reporting career with On SI. Follow BrookeBene15943.