Lane Kiffin’s first season at LSU has taken a painful turn. After the Tigers built a double-digit lead against Texas, Arch Manning threw a touchdown pass with three seconds remaining to give the Longhorns a 22-21 victory at Tiger Stadium. The result dealt a major blow to LSU’s College Football Playoff hopes—and prompted a harsh assessment from ESPN college football analyst Paul Finebaum.
Finebaum called the season a failure for both Kiffin and the Tigers, arguing that LSU has not delivered the results expected of a team with championship ambitions.
“The bottom line is that this season for LSU and for Lane Kiffin is officially a disaster,” Finebaum said. “It is a complete bust. Lane Kiffin has failed in his first year.”
He also questioned Kiffin’s ability to win against strong opponents and to manage games in which LSU is favored at home. “You have to beat good teams,” Finebaum said, adding that Kiffin currently seems unable to do so.
The criticism followed a defeat that was especially difficult for LSU supporters to absorb. The Tigers appeared to be in control for much of the contest, but Texas rallied late and finished the comeback with Manning’s final-play score.
## Texas completes a late comeback at Tiger Stadium
The sixth-ranked Longhorns traveled to Louisiana to face No. 21 LSU in a game with significant College Football Playoff implications. LSU took a 21-10 lead midway through the third quarter, putting pressure on Manning and the Texas offense to respond.
Texas chipped away at the deficit. Gianni Spetic made field goals from 41 and 50 yards, bringing the Longhorns closer and keeping them within reach as the game entered its final stages.
With Texas trailing 21-16 and just over two minutes left, Manning led the decisive drive. He converted crucial third downs and used both his passing and running ability to move the Longhorns toward the end zone.
The drive ended with three seconds on the clock. Manning connected with Raleek Brown for a four-yard touchdown, putting Texas ahead 22-21. The Longhorns did not attempt an extra point, and the touchdown stood as the winning score. The finish left Tiger Stadium stunned and gave Texas a dramatic road victory.
Manning’s overall performance was uneven. He completed 19 of 35 passes for 174 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. Yet his ability to lead the final drive became the defining moment of the game.
## Expectations weigh on Kiffin and LSU
Kiffin arrived in Baton Rouge with a reputation as a coach capable of building a national championship contender. His work at Ole Miss had helped make him one of the country’s most sought-after coaching candidates. He developed the Rebels into a competitive SEC program, brought in strong recruiting classes and became known for his innovative approach to offense.
LSU hired him with the hope that he could restore the Tigers to championship contention. The investment in the roster and the expectations surrounding his appointment made the standard for his first season especially high.
Instead, the 2026 campaign has fallen short of the anticipated transformation. LSU has already recorded four defeats and has not established itself as a serious championship contender. The loss to Texas intensified questions about whether Kiffin can deliver the immediate improvement supporters expected after he replaced Brian Kelly.
Finebaum’s comments focused on what he sees as a central problem: LSU has struggled to beat quality opponents. The Texas loss added to that concern, particularly because the Tigers had a lead at home but could not hold it through the final seconds.
The defeat also had contrasting consequences for the two programs. It virtually ended LSU’s College Football Playoff ambitions, while Texas remained in contention. For the Longhorns, Manning’s late touchdown provided a memorable comeback. For LSU, it was another setback in a season already under scrutiny—and a painful backdrop to Finebaum’s blunt verdict on Kiffin’s first year in Baton Rouge.
