LSU coach Brian Kelly repeatedly blamed himself for a 42-13 loss to Alabama on Saturday night, a defeat that almost certainly ended any hope of a College Football Playoff berth for the Tigers. They dropped to 6-3 overall and 3-2 in SEC play as Kelly acknowledged they face an uphill climb if they want any shot at a conference title.

Just shy of three years ago, Brian Kelly arrived in Baton Rouge for the first time as the coach of the LSU Tigers to a cacophony of fanfare. The onetime aspiring politician was treated as if he were a borderline conquering hero coming to the Bayou after a shocking departure from a successful stint with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.