The LSU Tigers couldn’t get the job done against the Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday in Baton Rouge.

LSU’s 31-13 loss to Alabama likely eliminates the Tigers from playoff contention, which means Lane Kiffin will fall short of expectations in year one.

ESPN’s Paul Finebaum, a frequent critic of Kiffin, shared some loud thoughts about the LSU head coach on Sunday morning on The Matt Barrie Show.

Finebaum said that Kiffin “choked” against Alabama.

“I have said to you and others that I thought Kiffin would get it turned around at some point and win a national championship,” said Finebaum. “But you have to wonder if Lane Kiffin isn’t just all sizzle and no substance. I mean, I didn’t see anything last night that impressed me. They had so many opportunities, and when it came down to a call from the sidelines, Kiffin whiffed. Kiffin choked. My friend Michael Bratton calls him Lane Whiffen. That’s what we get from Lane Kiffin in these situations. … What’s so great about him?”

It was certainly a tough look for Kiffin.

I mean, Kiffin has one of the most expensive rosters in the sport in an era where it’s essentially year one for every program (because of dramatic roster changes year to year). And Kiffin couldn’t win a big game at home to keep their playoff hopes alive. This is an Alabama team that lost to Georgia and Tennessee. And yet LSU couldn’t even keep the final score close.

It’s going to be a long offseason for Kiffin, and the expectations are going to be sky-high in 2027.