This is an opinion post. Make of it what you will.
LSU has twice rolled over and bared its neck to the SEC. On Thursday, the SEC is expected to take a bite. Indications are that the SEC's bite will draw blood, but the wound will be largely superficial. Rumors are LSU's penalties will be a large fine and a suspension of Lane Kiffin for three or four games. As reported by Ben Portnoy, one informed SEC source said, "There has to be (penalties), otherwise we are teaching everybody else that you can do whatever you want."
LSU fans will celebrate and chortle over redemption. Lane Kiffin will have learned nothing. Will Wade will never learn and will continue to slither around any rule he disdains. Hopefully, but doubtfully, LSU President Wade Rousse and Athletic Director Verne Ausberry will try to put clamps on rule-breaking by their infamous head coaches.
The SEC is better with LSU in it, but not so much better to allow LSU to devolve into a renegade member. LSU decided not to roster professional players for Game 1 and later filled its remaining roster spots, prohibiting pros from being added later. Don't label it no harm, no foul.
In an email to SEC commissioner Greg Sankey, LSU president Wade Rousse confirms that the school does not plan to roster pro football players as the roster is finalized and locked.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) September 9, 2026
"The issue is moot," he writes. pic.twitter.com/aHa3sIqQ6s
What stands out about the letter is no hint of contrition. Perhaps that is going on out of the public eye. More likely, is Rousse understands his main goal is to satisfy Louisiana politicians and power brokers. A few days ago, the Governor said, "just play football," meaning LSU had done nothing wrong.
The SEC's lawsuit against LSU has been countined until a later date, not yet known. The SEC will still meet on Thursday.
It is always good news when some mess in college sports is cleaned up without much damage. Has the LSU saga been just another mess from which came no good? Plenty of fans are so weary from all the wrangling, that "just play" has strong appeal.
For the best interest of LSU, Kiffin and Wade should be gagged until the SEC's penalties are announced. Afterward, they should be un-gagged just long enough to read a statement written by others, and not utter one more word. Such a constrain might cause Kiffin to blow a gasket. Or maybe the Bengal Tigers should hide Kiffin and Wade and send out Ed Orgeron to belligerantly deliver a message almost no one will understand, and then yell Geaux Tigers.
After which, I predict Kiffin and Wade will be unchastened, and business as usual will go on in Baton Rouge.
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