re: What are the chances that LSU caves in to PETA?

I don't think people, in general, whether conservative or liberal, pay much attention to PETA anymore. The ASPCA has FAR more credibility and tends to make cases of animal cruelty on knowledge and research (they also tend to favor rehomes or rescues to euthanasia, which seems to be the preferred solution for PETA), though neither organization is "perfect."

If the ASPCA and PETA were both covering international news, the ASPCA would be comparable to Reuters and PETA would be "The View."

You'll notice in their little rant about how Mike has been "exploited" they don't mention how many home games he's attended in the last 3 years, how he's not prodded into his trailer (he decides if he wants to go), how he's attended to by a dedicated staff of veterinarians and students of a veterinary school that was ranked in the top 25 by US News just last year.

PETA forgot to mention the size or description of his habitat and the level of maintenance it gets, and most importantly, how few Bengal tigers are left in the world, and that according to National Geographic, they live 8 to 10 years in the wild, but at least one tiger can be rescued from a potentially cruel situation to (in essence) win the lottery by becoming the next Mike, being treated like a king while at the same time studied in the interest of the survival of the species.

The bottom line is that LSU is interested in the best possible care for the animal, and is especially interested in acquiring an animal by means of donation or rescue, and considers euthanasia a last resort in the event of a painful and incurable illness. I think most people know this, while PETA has been losing credibility steadily over the years, so I'd be surprised if they somehow sway public opinion.