The SEC and LSU are in the middle of a heated legal battle over roster eligibility. Several former players — some of whom signed pro contracts and even appeared in NFL preseason games — won a court ruling in Louisiana granting them a fifth year of college eligibility. That directly conflicts with NCAA and SEC rules, but a judge has blocked the conference from enforcing them.
The SEC responded immediately, filing a lawsuit giving itself the power to expel LSU entirely, with a vote scheduled for Thursday. On Wednesday's episode of "First Take," ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith made it clear how he feels about the situation, daring the SEC to throw LSU out of the conference.
"102,000 people showed up there Saturday night. They didn't get in for free. "The university got paid for that.
Clemson got paid for that. The SEC got paid for that. What are you talking about?
And oh, by the way, Notre Dame — and we got love for little Notre Dame — they're an independent. LSU, you want to throw them out of the SEC? They'll be just fine, especially in the age of Lane Kiffin.
Could you imagine Lane Kiffin as an independent, out there in the open market, with the LSU brand? The SEC, sit your [expletive] down." More news: Dabo Swinney Sends Defiant Message Amid Clemson Buyout Rumors While most college football programs joined conferences for scheduling and money, Notre Dame has stayed independent since the sport began there in the 1880s. And the Irish still built one of the strongest brands in football, relying on a strong nationwide schedule and a standalone TV deal with NBC that's lasted since 1991.
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