LSU may avoid expulsion, but some in SEC want Lane Kiffin to pay a price

While the SEC's scheduled hearing in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama was indefinitely postponed Wednesday, Sept. 9, conference leaders are still expected to proceed with Thursday's meeting involving key stakeholders from at least 15 member institutions.

Whether LSU representatives will participate remains unclear. What does appear increasingly clear, however, is the SEC is no longer seriously considering expelling LSU, a founding member of the conference since 1933, according to one SEC executive with direct knowledge of the situation and three high-ranking football officials at SEC schools familiar with the discussions who spoke to USA TODAY Sports.

"The SEC office is in the mood for deescalation," the executive told USA TODAY Sports. "LSU adding those two guys to the roster is viewed by SEC headquarters as a productive step toward deescalation."

On Tuesday night, LSU filled its final two roster spots with Aiden Anding and Gabriel Reliford, effectively ending any possibility of adding former NFL signees Dae'Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris.

LSU President Wade Rousse also sent a letter Wednesday to SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey, obtained by USA TODAY Sports, citing the roster moves and affirming the university's intention not to interfere with Thursday's conference meeting.

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/sports/