LSU’s football program has called off a scheduled home-and-home series with Arizona State for the 2029 and 2030 seasons, a decision reached mutually by both schools and one that carries no financial penalties.
The cancellation comes at a pivotal moment as the SEC transitions to a nine‑game conference slate, a shift that obliges each member institution to arrange at least one non‑conference matchup against a Power Four opponent.
SEC's scheduling shift reshapes nonconference slate
In response, LSU has inserted Tulane into its 2030 schedule, making the Green Wave the sole non‑conference opponent slated for that year.
The adjustment forces LSU to either locate a replacement Power Four foe or rely on the possibility that Tulane could ascend to the ACC or Big 12, a move that would automatically satisfy the conference’s new requirement.
The maneuver underscores a broader realignment across SEC schools, many of which are re‑engineering future calendars to meet the new competitive and logistical demands.
Lane Kiffin, whose tenure at Ole Miss was marked by a reluctance to schedule demanding non‑conference opponents, has publicly cautioned against the nine‑game conference model without an expanded playoff, warning that it could exacerbate scheduling imbalances.
Analysts note that the adjustments may influence recruiting narratives and the Tigers’ national perception, especially as the SEC seeks to preserve its traditional strength of a robust non‑conference slate.