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By Reice Shipley
Contributing Sports Writer
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LSU Tigers head coach Lane Kiffin has his team in position to earn a CFP bid in his first year with the program with a strong end of the season. However, ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith doesn't believe that just making the CFP is good enough from Kiffin.
While LSU has typically been regarded as one of the premiere programs in the SEC, there hasn't been the kind of yearly success that many would expect of an SEC powerhouse, with only one CFP appearance since it was implemented in 2014.
Bringing in Lane Kiffin this offseason seemingly was a move that immediately raised the standard within the LSU program. At least this was Stephen A. Smith's expectation for the new-look Tigers with Kiffin at the helm.
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Ahead of LSU's high-profile matchup with the No. 5 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday, Stephen A. Smith made it clear that he believes that Kiffin not only needs to put his team in a position to contend, but needs to actually bring home a National Championship in his first three years with the program.
"Lane Kiffin, within the next three years, needs to win a National Championship," said Smith on Wednesday's edition of ESPN's "First Take". "Not just make the playoff. He needs to win a National Championship. Year 1 is where I am a little bit patient. Not beyond that. After this, ain't nothing less than the playoffs is going to do. He needs to be one that brings a National Championship to the program."
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Considering LSU is paying Kiffin $13 million annually for the next six seasons, it's certainly fair for Smith to expect for Kiffin to deliver a championship for a proud program with a loyal fanbase.
With matchups upcoming on Saturday against Alabama and future matchups looming with the No. 7 ranked Texas Longhorns and the No. 13 ranked Tennessee Volunteers, Kiffin has a real opportunity to make a statement that his team is ready to make the leap to CFP contenders.
Saturday's LSU-Alabama game will kickoff at 3:30 p.m. ET and can be seen on ABC.
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