"It's maybe not as imminent as when I talked to you last," Sterk said. "BYU had a hearing. They started a month before us as far as the appeal's in-person hearing. And they just heard last week. Given that, it may be later September, or October. It may go into that (October.) You hate to have it linger, but it may be that length of time . . . The coaches are prepared. We have a game plan as far as releasing it. We are hoping for good news there."

4. SEC boss Sankey enjoys trip to Mizzou

“I was here in March for an event honoring a Nobel laureate in chemistry," Sankey said. "We've had a number in the league, but that's something that Missouri brings. The School of Journalism, they bring. You look at what's happened to the football stadium since they’ve been in the SEC. That's a credit to all of us. I just saw the last episode of “Saturdays in the South,” and I said to (chancellor) Alex (Cartwright), ‘You know, you weren't here for the first seven episodes, but then that last one, they made an impact.’ Won two East Division championships. When Johnny (Manziel) was playing quarterback at A&M, I was here for the game (in 2013), when they're not supposed to do this, but they rushed the field after winning the game and having won the East. So, I think it's been a real seamless transition. I think there has been an embrace. Obviously, some issues on campus in 2015 and some leadership changes. But that’s sorted out with Jim Sterk now setting a firm base. Look what Barry (Odom) has done in football, dealing with this NCAA penalty that's under appeal and not having any member of this team leave. That's a credit to a healthy culture, a healthy locker room, great support and very different from what was experienced in that 2015-16 time frame."