Dan Wolken Blasts SEC's 'Nauseating Hypocrisy' Amid Legal Fight With LSU

The SEC's ongoing legal battle with LSU has drawn plenty of opinions across the college football world, and Yahoo Sports columnist Dan Wolken weighed in Tuesday with a sharp criticism of the conference.

In his latest column, Wolken called out what he sees as the SEC's hypocrisy as the league continues to fight LSU over the school's previous pursuit of former professional players Dae'Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris.

Wolken specifically took issue with language in the SEC's amended lawsuit expressing concern that LSU President Wade Rousse and athletic director Verge Ausberry don't have "meaningful control" over Lane Kiffin and the football program.

That argument didn't sit well with Wolken.

He pointed to the SEC's long history of powerful football coaches wielding enormous influence at their schools and questioned why the conference has suddenly decided to draw such a hard line with Kiffin and LSU.

Wolken also referenced several examples from the league's past, including the SEC's handling of Cam Newton's eligibility at Auburn in 2010 and commissioner Greg Sankey's involvement in Tennessee's NCAA infractions case.

"There are not enough eye-rolls in the world to square the SEC's righteous anger at LSU and the actions of every other member school at one point or another," Wolken wrote.

He later summed up his criticism of the conference even more bluntly, calling its position "nauseating hypocrisy."

However, Wolken didn't completely side with LSU.

He acknowledged that the SEC has a legitimate argument that its members voluntarily agree to conference rules and should be expected to follow them. He also suggested the LSU dispute could become an important test of whether the SEC can actually govern itself and enforce its own rules in the rapidly changing landscape of college athletics.

The SEC amended its federal lawsuit Tuesday while asserting its authority to potentially terminate LSU's conference membership. A federal hearing in the case is scheduled for Wednesday in Birmingham, while SEC presidents and chancellors are scheduled to meet Thursday.

Wolken's larger point: The SEC may have a legitimate governance fight on its hands, but after decades of looking the other way, making exceptions and accommodating powerful football programs, LSU is a curious place for the conference to suddenly draw its line in the sand.