LSU self imposes bowl ban, bringing early end to nightmare season
In an act born of self-defense and also of mercy, LSU announced Wednesday night it is self-imposing a bowl ban for this ongoing season.
"LSU has informed the NCAA and SEC it will self-impose a one-season postseason ban on its football program for the 2020-21 bowl season, in addition to self-imposed sanctions already declared," the athletics department said in a statement. "LSU leadership made this decision after careful deliberation and review of NCAA rules violations that have been discovered in the University's cooperative investigation with the NCAA and IARP."
LSU previously agreed to cut eight scholarships over a 2-year period and ban Odell Beckham, Jr., from its football facility for two years after the former Tigers wideout handed out wads of cash following LSU's national championship victory in January.
The school is also in the investigative process after it was discovered a former booster paid the father of former Tiger Vadal Alexander $180,000 between 2012 and '17 for a no-show job. Alexander last played for LSU in 2015.
Wednesday's move will bring an abrupt end to a troubling season for LSU. The defending national champions are 3-5 on the season, fresh off a 55-17 loss to No. 1 Alabama. Unrelated to the NCAA investigation but compounding on the program's current troubles, LSU is also down 16 scholarship players due to opt-outs and transfers; 5-star freshman tight end Arik Gilbert opted out just this week and is reportedly mulling a transfer.
The Tigers will now conclude the 2020 campaign with a trip to No. 6 Florida on Saturday and a home date with Ole Miss on Dec. 19.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.
