STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Mississippi State's cowbells are in jeopardy.

The Southeastern Conference is poised to levy fines against the school for violating the league's noisemaker policy related to its tradition of ringing cowbells at games.

The issue was first addressed at the SEC's summer meetings. The conference made a one-year rule allowing Mississippi State fans to ring cowbells -- a proud symbol of the school -- provided it was in dead ball situations like halftime, time outs and after touchdowns.

But cowbells are easily heard during games, especially when opponents are on offense. MSU athletic director Scott Stricklin said fans must cooperate or cowbells could be banned.

No. 23 MSU (6-2, 2-2 SEC) hosts Kentucky (4-4, 1-4) on Saturday.