EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLate Tuesday, LSU filled out its 105-man football roster, seemingly closing out the possible additions of Dae'Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris, who competed this summer in NFL training camps.In doing so, the school significantly lowered the temperature in its dispute with the SEC, which had sought assurance from a federal court that it would be within its powers to vote Thursday on "terminating LSU's membership in the Conference."The chances of LSU getting booted from the league this week are essentially zero. Expect a period of comity to ensue.For how long, however, remains to be seen.The inherent conflict between LSU and the other 15 SEC members is broader than just the fate of a couple of football players. That was merely the latest act in what numerous sources across the SEC describe as a recent shift in LSU's philosophy of operation, if not chain of command.Some in the SEC believe the Tigers' athletic department is being led, at least ideologically, not by school president Wade Rousse or athletic director Verge Ausberry but rather Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry.Speaking with numerous sources across the SEC, the chief concern is that the collegiality and common values of veteran campus leaders are not shared by politicians who can get more benefit out of conflict than compromise.LSU is seen -- even as the Tigers argue they've done nothing wrong -- as a program that is forever pushing the envelope, especially under Kiffin and men's basketball coach Will Wade. Rather than have an administration that reins them in, they have state politicians egging them on."Who is in charge there?" one SEC administrator told ESPN. "And how do you ever trust them?"All of this may seem like a distinction without a difference to those watching from afar. After all, the SEC, like everywhere else in college sports, has a long and colorful history of outlaw programs and cheating scandals. And it was just last basketball season that Alabama suited up a player who was in the G League the week prior.There is no question hypocrisy is everywhere, and the rocks being chucked at the Tigers are coming from campuses full of glass houses.The rest of the SEC will note, however, that the other 15 schools are operating from a shared base of understanding to which LSU may no longer subscribe.A rule barring former professional athletes from the league initially passed 16-0 last month and later 15-0, when LSU abstained. The Tigers however later seemed eager to violate it, albeit with the excuse that they were just following a local court order.The world's oldest -- and perhaps most effective -- political strategy is to claim that you are fighting to preserve the way of life of the public from outside entities that are hypocritically trying to harm you. In this case, it's LSU fans against the mean old NCAA or SEC.Whipping up outrage is a lot more effective politically than promising to work with the "other side." As such, it is believed the motivations of Landry and others are different from the motivations of a typical school president or AD. That extends to Louisiana judges, who are also publicly elected.Exactly how involved Landry is in LSU athletics is a matter of debate, but he has taken an active role in ways that few, if any, governors ever have. That includes the hiring of Kiffin and Wade. Landry's office did not respond to an ESPN request for comment on this issue.During his introductory news conference Monday, Kiffin revealed he had a "unique, great call with Governor Landry" during LSU's recruitment of him."I could feel his passion and energy for the state of Louisiana and for LSU football," Kiffin said at the time.Some in the SEC certainly believe the governor is in charge. Or, consider the SEC's lawsuit. (For point of reference, the Pyburn plaintiffs include Wright and Harris and Liz Murrill is the state's attorney general.)(c) Expressed great concern that Defendant Kiffin was working in concert with counsel for the Pyburn Plaintiffs, with the support and involvement of Defendant Murrill and the Louisiana Governor.(d) Expressed great concern that Defendants Rousse and Ausberry have no meaningful control over Defendant Kiffin or the football program at LSU ...(e) Specifically noted that Defendant Rousse had voted for the issuance of the SEC's Policy Statement, but that LSU had taken no action to comply with the Professionalism Rules and in fact was in active concert with the Pyburn Plaintiffs.In other words, the president and athletic director have no authority over their football coach, who instead is working directly with the state's most powerful politicians to aid players seeking temporary restraining orders in violation of the very rule that LSU leaders recently agreed to while sitting in SEC meetings."It's impossible to deal with LSU right now," another SEC administrator told ESPN. "They are unserious."That includes Rousse posting on social media a video of himself dancing on the sideline with his wife in the middle of this controversy. Or Kiffin stating during a halftime interview, while leading Clemson 31-3, "imagine if we had pro players."Then there was the onslaught of comments from Louisiana politicians mocking the SEC's potential termination vote. That includes the ever-colorful Senator John Kennedy, calling it, "bone deep down to the marrow stupid. Rocks in my driveway are smarter than that. What planet did the leaders at the SEC just parachute in from? Those people need to change their meds."A funny line. A winning political line. Maybe even an accurate line.But not a line well-received by the rest of the league.For now, Wright and Harris not on LSU's roster, LSU has stood down, and the SEC feels its ability to self-govern has been recognized.All's well that ends well.But is that the end? If, as many in the SEC believe, the politicians are indeed in charge at LSU, and Kiffin and Wade are always looking for angles, then how long until the political stunts and court orders return?Keep your popcorn ready.
