Dabo Swinney, Lane Kiffin meet as head coaches for first time

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET in Baton Rouge.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Sep 51 min read

TIGERS VS. TIGERS 🐅🐯 Dabo and Lane face off as head coaches for the first time ever 🍿 https://t.co/9gVKMFen14 Via @espn on X

What happened: The Sept. 5 season opener will be played at Tiger Stadium and air on ABC. Kiffin makes his debut in charge, while Swinney enters his 19th year at the helm.

Why it matters: The nonconference game pairs two ranked teams before league play begins. The result will shape each program's early-season résumé.

By the numbers: The matchup pits No. 11 against No. 23, with both teams entering at 0-0.

What to watch: The opening series will provide the first look at Kiffin's new setup under game conditions.

Sources

@espn 2026-09-05T12:34:18.947631+00:00

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