BATON ROUGE — Both LSU and Alabama had a bye week during Week 9, but the Tigers and the Crimson Tide are facing each other on Saturday in Death Valley. 

Going into the 2:30 p.m. matchup, No. 15 LSU and No. 9 Alabama have 6-2 records.

Saturday's matchup will be the last annual matchup the historic rivals will have for the foreseeable future after the SEC did away with the East-West divisions and assigned each team three permanent opponents. 

Alabama has won four of the last five meetings with LSU. The Tide leads the series 58–27–5. 

Ahead of the hotly anticipated game, head coach Lane Kiffin is expected to share more about the Tigers' preparations following Monday's practice. 

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Kiffin discussed this game being the last time LSU would face Alabama in the regular season until 2028.

"I think that's just sad. I understand, I'm not being critical, all those decisions usually come down to money, with the realignments and the rivalries, so I think it's all sad in general with the big picture things."

Kiffin spoke about both teams coming off a bye, saying that the situation "just is" and that since both teams had the bye, it's not "unequal."

He also spoke on quarterback Sam Leavitt's improvement, saying he's "made good decisions with the ball" and that he's been more comfortable. He noted that Leavitt had missed spring practices dealing with injuries, so the staff expected improvement as Leavitt played in the offense.

No injury updates were available regarding linebacker Whit Weeks, with Kiffin saying that information would be available on LSU's injury report on Wednesday.

He also commented on Alabama's team, saying it's a "really good team that's coached really well with really good players."

"You see them, they look like the old Alabama teams as far as their size and length and explosiveness in the skill positions and quarterback. We're going to have to play really well because I think this is the most talented team we've played so far."

He also spoke on LSU's offense versus Alabama's defense, saying Alabama had an impressive defensive line with "really smart players."

"This defense doesn't make a lot of mistakes, and they play really well together, and they're coached really well."

Kiffin also spoke on containing Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell, saying the pass rushers needed to control their lanes, but said that "it's no secret that you gotta cover the guys."

He also spoke on the 2:30 p.m. kickoff, noting that the Tennessee game Alabama lost also kicked off at that time and that the Tennessee crowd affected Alabama's offense.

"Let's break the [noise] record. If you're used to 6:30 p.m., start your day earlier. Start your breakfast earlier, drink earlier, go to bed earlier Friday night."