L.S.U. Gets Top Ranking in Coaches’ Preseason Poll

Louisiana State, which absorbed a lopsided loss against Alabama in the Bowl Championship Series national title game last January, was ranked No. 1 in the USA Today top 25 coaches’ poll, with Alabama second and Southern California third. L.S.U. received 18 first-place votes, slightly fewer that the 20 first-place votes for the Crimson Tide and 19 first-place votes for the Trojans. Oklahoma and Oregon round out the top five.

¶ The N.C.A.A.’s board of directors endorsed a proposal that could bar rule-breaking teams from postseason play for up to four years, as the sanctions imposed on Penn State’s football program do. The proposal would also negate all revenue that teams that violated the rules brought in during the years in which the violations occurred. If the plan is approved, coaches could also be held accountable individually. A vote is not expected before the board’s October meeting.