‘Playing 2027 NIL Chess,’ ‘So He Lost on Purpose?’ — CFB Fans Troll Lane Kiffin After Report Outlines How Kentucky’s $500K Fine Could Benefit LSU

Lane Kiffin and LSU face an uphill battle to keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive after falling to 4-2 with a 35-34 overtime loss to Kentucky.

However, the Wildcats’ postgame celebration has brought LSU an unusual financial consolation, triggering reactions from fans.

CFB Fans Mock Lane Kiffin After LSU Stands to Receive Kentucky’s Fine

Kentucky was fined $500,000 under the SEC’s current access-to-competition-area policy, which now imposes that amount for any violation. The league previously used an escalating structure of $100,000 for a first offense, $250,000 for a second, and $500,000 for a third or subsequent violation.

For conference games, the fine goes to the opposing institution. The SEC’s policy allows a home team to avoid the penalty only if it has submitted an appropriate field-access plan in advance, communicated that plan to fans, and ensured all visiting team personnel and game officials have safely left the playing surface before fans enter.

DIVE IN:PFN’s Free CFB HQ — Team and Player Stats, Info, and More

The rule means LSU stands to receive the money, giving the Tigers an unexpected financial benefit despite their defeat.

ESPN’s Peter Burns took the opportunity to poke fun at Kiffin over the situation.

“Lane out here playing 2027 NIL Chess,” Burns wrote.

‘Playing 2027 NIL Chess,’ ‘So He

Several others in the college football community joined Burns in the discussion.

“They need it. Certainly weren’t good enough to beat us without it,” Aaron Flener, PGA Tour caddie for golfer J.T. Poston, wrote.

‘Playing 2027 NIL Chess,’ ‘So He

“Isn’t that the amount that LSU promised Princewill (Umanmielen) that they would pay Ole Miss on his behalf? Checkmate,” one said.

“Maybe UK can just wire it to Ole Miss for those player buyouts they owe,” a fan said.

Kiffin addressed the issue during his Sunday media teleconference, saying the SEC was making a serious effort to improve postgame field safety, but he questioned whether Kentucky had implemented all the necessary precautions.

Kiffin pointed out that the situation was unusual because stadiums typically establish a roped-off area to help control access to the field. He also said that Ole Miss had taken that precaution when the Rebels hosted LSU, adding that he did not believe Kentucky had similar arrangements in place.

Meanwhile, as the SEC’s fine is now set to benefit LSU, some fans jokingly questioned whether Kiffin’s team had somehow benefited from the loss itself.

“So he lost on purpose?” one asked.

‘Playing 2027 NIL Chess,’ ‘So He

“Ah the old lose a game so the opposing teams fans storm the field and you get the money from the fine trick. Wonderful gambit, Lane,” a fan said.

The comments were made in fun, with fans using the unusual SEC rule to mock Kiffin following LSU’s disappointing loss. However, the loss has also had consequences for the Tigers’ postseason outlook.

PREDICT THE CFB SEASON:PFN’s Free CFB Playoff Predictor

LSU dropped from No. 10 to No. 22 in the latest AP Top 25 rankings. PFN currently gives Kiffin’s program just an 11.2% chance of reaching the College Football Playoff this season.

This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.