The NCAA, SEC, LSU and other conference schools (by way of plaintiffs) are set for a courtroom showdown Thursday morning, with the future of several players who have NFL ties hanging in the balance.Over the past week, LSU head coach Lane Kiffin has made it clear that he plans to follow the court order issued by a Louisiana judge in the ongoing fight over whether players can return to college football after pursuing professional careers.GOVERNOR LANDRY BACKS LANE KIFFIN, LSU IN FIGHT WITH SEC: ‘DON’T HATE THE PLAYER, HATE THE GAME’With the support of Gov.Jeff Landry and LSU athletic department officials, Kiffin appears ready to create a major stir if the plaintiffs, a few of which are LSU bound, are granted an injunction allowing them to play this weekend.Head football coach Lane Kiffin and Athletic Director Verge Ausberry of the LSU Tigers arrive at Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport in Baton Rouge, La., on Nov.
30, 2025.(University Images via Getty Images)That part is easy to understand.The bigger question is whether LSU is prepared to challenge rules enacted by its own conference.
That decision will involve more than Kiffin, even though the LSU coach has been the most vocal figure in the legal fight."There's no intent nor there ever was to play somebody that we're not supposed to over an SEC rule," Kiffin said."I'm not the spokesperson.
I think now you're waiting to see Thursday."The SEC had a stance, made a rule.The judge felt that they couldn't do that to the players.
We'll be practicing, focused on Clemson and spending our time on that all week.They can figure out the rest, and we'll just wait for guidance."And don't forget that the SEC is currently prohibited from punishing LSU if it was to roster a player that is protected by a standing court order, which also includes the NCAA.
This could lead to further protection if a Louisiana judge grants the plaintiffs an injunction on Thursday.LSU is not the only SEC program affected by Thursday’s hearing.So...