Joel Klatt looks ahead to LSU vs. Alabama, what game could mean for 2025 season

No matter if the game is in Baton Rouge or Tuscaloosa, Alabama–LSU is one you circle on the calendar every single year. For years, the SEC West was decided by the matchup. And even though divisions are now gone, there are massive implications when the two meet.

FOX’s Joel Klatt believes it’s one of the top 10 important games of the year, citing College Football Playoff implications. Taking place in early November certainly helps its cause. However, Klatt says the loser of this year’s showdown at Bryant-Denny Stadium might not have enough in the tank to get back into the CFP race.

“You’re talking about a monster game with playoff implications,” Klatt said. “I don’t know if the loser of this game gets over that and still gets into the playoffs… This is not an Alabama-Georgia game where I’m like ‘Okay, the winner is going to the SEC Championship Game.’ This game, LSU-Alabama, feels a lot more like — you’ve got to win it to go to the Playoff.”

Last season, Alabama entered ranked No. 11, while LSU was three spots behind at No. 15. Viewed as the final test for the Crimson Tide at the time, everyone was confident they would close out the season strong. Oklahoma had something to say about that, ending the CFP hopes.

However, Klatt’s theory played out last season. If Alabama held serve, they would have gotten into the 12-team field as an at-large bid. Or maybe even participate in the SEC Championship, possibly earning the automatic qualifier spot.

Looking outside of the College Football Playoff, Klatt sees a lot on the line for both of these head coaches. Brian Kelly is facing a critical year at LSU, needing to show some kind of progress being made — even with a tough schedule. You can go back to the 2022 win in Baton Rouge as an example.

As for Alabama, Kalen DeBoer wants to bounce back from a season where a 9-3 regular season felt as if they fell short. Expectations need to be met, and at Alabama, beating LSU is a part of the equation.

“Brian Kelly, needing to take the step forward,” Klatt said. “And then certainly for Kalen DeBoer. You can’t expect that he’s going to get a ton of runway from the faithful at Alabama. The way things finished last year was not Alabama. He’s got a tough test at Georgia but you’ve got to beat LSU at home.”