LSU faces UF amid post-title turmoil

LSU’s reign as national champion essentially ended months ago. The Tigers have looked nothing like the team that swept the Southeastern Conference and the College Football Playoff last season.

And it goes well beyond their 3-5 record and twogame losing streak. Players are leaving coach Ed Orgeron’s program almost weekly, some opting out, others entering the transfer portal. And amid apparent NCAA rules violations, LSU selfimposed a one-year ban on postseason play Wednesday as part an effort to cooperate with the investigation.

It’s a team in turmoil, one that would like to end its most forgettable season in more than two decades on a high note.

“It’s been challenging,” Orgeron acknowledged this week. “Every day has been fluid. Every day has been new, obviously, with the things that have happened. But I can’t say I’ve been blind-sided.”

The Tigers have two games remaining, beginning with a road trip to face heavily favored and No. 6 Florida (8-1) on Saturday night in the Swamp. The Gators also haven’t forgotten last year’s loss to LSU, a 42-28 setback in which Florida led 28-21 in the second half

ELSEWHERE

●West Virginia: Citing a surge of positive COVID-19 cases and contact tracing in the football program, the Mountaineers have paused all football activities for the next seven days and will not host No. 13 Oklahoma on Saturday. Athletic director Shane Lyons says the game will not be rescheduled.

●Boston College: Coach Jeff Hafley said that after speaking with his players the team decided to end its season despite qualifying for a bowl game. The Eagles managed to make it through the entire season with just one positive COVID-19 test and played all 11 games on the schedule. But Hafley said the season has been a strain on the players. “I wish we could play every Saturday,” Hafley said. “But I don’t have to sit in a dorm room by myself.” The Eagles went 6-5, and 5-5 in the Atlantic Coast Conference to qualify for a postseason game for the fifth consecutive year.

●Wake Forest: The Demon Deacons are finally getting back on the field for its first game in nearly a month on Saturday at Louisville. Coach Dave Clawson is still unsure exactly how ready his team will be after such a long layoff. “We’re not in game shape right now,” Clawson said, “but we'll see how it goes.” The Demon Deacons (4-3,

3-3 ACC) haven’t played since losing at North Carolina on Nov. 14. The next week’s game at Duke was canceled amid a combination of positive COVID-19 tests and injures.