What the sports shows argued about today, and who took which side.

The SEC scheduled a vote on terminating LSU's membership after a legal battle over two returning players, though expulsion is not expected. The league is reportedly angry at Lane Kiffin and LSU president Wade Ruse, who abstained from a penalty-power vote. The SEC may instead suspend Kiffin or fine the university millions, and is asking a federal court for authority to run the league. Kiffin ultimately decided not to add the players after the threat, leaving one in limbo while his agent petitions the NFL for a practice squad spot.

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Western Michigan and the MAC are formally appealing to the FBS oversight committee and College Football Playoff to recognize Western Michigan as the winner of a game against Michigan after a clock controversy. The NCAA issued new guidance establishing the in-stadium game clock as the official time. The MAC reversed its initial stance, calling the clock situation unacceptable and asking the CFP committee to consider it a win for Western Michigan, though the panel agrees the official result will not change.

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Baker Mayfield agreed to a three-year, $165 million contract extension with $110 million in new guarantees with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Analysts credit the deal to Mayfield's authentic leadership, professional conduct during training camp, and his role in restoring the franchise's respectability, noting the deal aligns with current top quarterback salaries and reflects the difficulty of replacing him in the current market.

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Aaron Donald is inactive for the Rams' Week 1 game in Australia, likely due to the grueling 17-hour flight and his age, with a possible return in Week 2. The Rams and Donald may have pre-arranged that he would not travel. Analysts view sitting him out as the right long-term decision given the travel demands and season length, and dismiss concerns that his return will disrupt the Rams' locker room or Myles Garrett's status.

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Colin Cowherd argues that hiring 47-year-old Brian Flores, a former defensive coach with no play-calling experience, is a risky "vibe hire" that could derail Seattle's offense and cost them a Super Bowl run. Matt Hasselbeck disagrees, noting that successful coordinators like Bruce Arians started late, and argues Flores aligns with Mike McDaniel's run-heavy, shift-and-motion system. Cowherd also predicts the Patriots will regress due to a tougher schedule, while Julian Edelman, in a played clip, argues excluding the Patriots from top-tier contention is unreasonable.

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Colin Cowherd projects the Bills, Ravens, Texans, Chargers, Patriots, Bengals, and Broncos as AFC playoff teams, flipping Denver ahead of Kansas City due to left tackle Josh Simmons's injury. In the NFC, he projects the Eagles, Lions, Saints, and Rams as division winners, with the Seahawks, Bears, and Giants as wild cards. Matt Hasselbeck endorses the Steelers and Cowboys as strong contenders, praises the Broncos as overlooked, and agrees the Bengals are a playoff team whose failure to reach the postseason would justify firing Zac Taylor.

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