LSU’s Playoff Hopes Gone in First Year of $91M Kiffin Era

In the final moments of a game against Texas, LSU's hopes for a College Football Playoff berth ended with a 22-21 loss. Quarterback Arch Manning's game-winning touchdown to running back Raleek Brown with nine seconds left dashed LSU's hopes of making the 12-team field under first-year coach Lane Kiffin. The Tigers' ranking at No. 21 in the College Football Playoff rankings before the game sealed their fate.

This loss leaves LSU with only one more chance to make the playoffs, and their current record of 6-4 overall and 3-4 in SEC play puts that goal in jeopardy. This marks the seventh consecutive year LSU has failed to make a playoff appearance.

After a disappointing season, Kiffin expressed frustration with the team's performance, stating that it doesn't matter how close the games are or how close the final drive is, as long as LSU doesn't win. The Tigers have lost three one-score games to ranked teams, including 32-24 and 35-34 losses to Mississippi and Kentucky, respectively. Kiffin acknowledged the final drive was within 10 seconds of winning, but ultimately accepted the loss.

The $91 million contract Kiffin signed with LSU last December is the third-highest annual average in college football, behind only Indiana's Curt Cignetti and Georgia's Kirby Smart. The $13 million per year average is combined with one of the most expensive coaching staffs in college football, with Kiffin's salary alone creating a significant financial burden.

LSU also invested heavily in its roster, signing the top-10 class of high school recruits and the top-1 class from the transfer portal, spending over $45 million on players.