Louisiana State University, the defending champions in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Series, has self-imposed a ban on all season-ending bowl games, taking itself out of championship consideration, as it goes through investigations into potential NCAA rule violations.

CBS Sports reports that the university made the announcement Wednesday as the football team stands at a 3-5 record with two remaining games against Florida and the University of Mississippi (“Ole Miss”).  However, an NCAA rule that requires teams to have a .500 season to be bowl-eligible were removed this season due to the uncertainty of the coronavirus.  LSU would not have been invited to a major bowl game this year.

The NCAA is investigation LSU for recruiting violations and other infractions.  The school is going through a newly-established NCAA Independent Accountability Resolution Process and has surrendered available sports scholarships as it rectifies past wrongs.

“LSU has informed the NCAA and SEC that it will self-impose a one-year postseason ban on its football program for the 2020-21 bowl season, in addition to self-imposed sanctions already declared,” said a statement from the LSU athletic department. “LSU leadership made this decision after careful deliberation and review of the NCAA rules violations that have been discovered in the University’s cooperative investigation with the NCAA and IARP. This decision reflects LSU’s commitment to compliance with NCAA regulations and maintenance of institutional control. We reset the impact that this decision has on our current student-athletes, but we make it in the best interest of the football program and the University. LSU will continue to cooperate with the NCAA and IARP throughout the enforcement process.”