Goodman: Can brainsick Kiffin finally conquer his biggest obsession?

Alabama FootballLSU head coach Lane Kiffin talks on the field before an NCAA college football game against Clemson, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026 in Baton Rouge, La. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)AP Photo/Gerald HerbertBy Joseph Goodman | jgoodman@al.comThis is an opinion column.Lane Kiffin says the key to beating Alabama is all about his team avoiding mistakes, but that’s not entirely true.For Kiffin, if history is a guide, then Saturday’s battle for the playoffs between No.5 Alabama and No.14 LSU will be a test of Kiffin’s brainsick madness in the face of his greatest obsession. Alabama is Kiffin’s white whale. Given a bigger boat, can he finally slay the beast?Famously, Kiffin is 0-5 all-time against the Crimson Tide. For years and years, like crazy Captain Ahab in “Moby Dick,” Kiffin has been chasing the unobtainable — a victory against the Tide. The sickness has grown stronger with every loss.The whale bit off Ahab’s leg, but that only intensified Ahab’s monomaniacal rage. So it is with Kiffin’s excised pride and the hungry crimson monster that has mutilated his career and consumed his nightmares.It all started on Rocky Top with Mount Cody. Hard to believe, but it has been 17 years since Kiffin’s one and only season as head coach of the Volunteers. Tennessee 12, Alabama 10, and its pair of field-goal blocks by Terrence Cody, have haunted Kiffin since 2009.Again and again, Kiffin has relived that pain. Has he been unlucky, or has Kiffin’s infatuation with beating Alabama robbed him of his wits?There was the record-breaking hurricane game in 2020: Alabama 63, Ole Miss 48. Who needs defense? Not Nick Saban. Not on that night. Alabama’s madcap victory set SEC records for combined points in a regulation game (111), most yards (1,370) and touchdowns (15).The “Popcorn Game” was next. Kiffin thought he had the team to beat Saban. Before the kickoff, during his pre-game interview with sideline reporter Jamie Erdhal, Kiffin told the college football world to “get your popcorn ready.” A series of questionable calls by Kiffin on fourth-down plays then led to a 42-21 blowout victory for Alabama.In 2022, Kiffin had Alabama on the ropes. Ole Miss built a 17-7 first-half lead. All Kiffin needed to do was make a couple first downs. He panicked, Alabama scored 20-straight points behind quarterback Bryce Young and Ole Miss blew it in the end.Then came 2023, Kiffin’s last chance to best his mentor, Nick Saban. Nope. Kiffin had quarterback Jaxson Dart, but Alabama’s defense denied him again and again. Final score: Alabama 24, Ole Miss 10.The SEC kept Alabama off of Ole Miss’ schedule in 2024 and 2025. Is it any wonder that those were the Rebels’ best seasons since the early 1960s?Some say Kiffin left Ole Miss ror the money. Some say it was for power and glory. We all know the truth, though.Kiffin skipped out on Ole Miss because he had no other choice. It was the only way he could possibly beat Alabama.Will Kiffin finally get his revenge, or will his white whale drag Kiffin all the way down to the deep?Get your popcorn ready.And sharpen your harpoons.Like it should be, seasons (and maybe jobs) are at stake for Kiffin’s sixth chance at Alabama. Will a loss to Kiffin cost Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer his job? He’s probably protected by his massive buyout ($67.5 million), but the idea of losing to Kiffin in his first year at LSU could trigger even the most level-headed Alabama boosters.Can Alabama afford to fall behind Kiffin?Can Alabama offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb compete with Kiffin’s ability as a play caller?LSU’s monied royalty have spent big to give Kiffin a roster to topple the Tide. LSU is favored and, in recent weeks, has played like the best team in the SEC. If not now for Kiffin, then when?Alabama looks vulnerable, but is the white whale retreating or just luring Ahab into deeper water?NOW MAKE YOUR PICKS!Make your picks for Joe’s 6-0 Challenge. (Remember, picks are agains the spread.)MAILBAG SOUND OFFGot a question for Joe? Want to get something off your chest? Send Joe an email about what’s on your mind. Let your voice be heard. Ask him anything for the reader mailbag.Joseph is the lead sports columnist for AL.com and author of the highly controversial book "We Want Bama." SEC provocateur and expert in the field game management, Joseph's columns have been voted the best in...