Mississippi State football gets penalized

The NCAA’s investigation into the Mississippi State football program has concluded and the school’s self-imposed sanctions have been accepted. The NCAA announced this morning that State will lose four scholarships over two years, along with two years probation, and four official recruiting visits will be taken away. There will be no bowl ban.

The sanctions read like this on the NCAA’s website:

— Public reprimand and censure.

— Two years of probation from June 7, 2013 through June 6, 2015.

— A one-year show-cause order for the former assistant coach, which prevents him from recruiting activities and booster interaction. The public report contains further details.

— A reduction of the number of official visits to 39, from the four-year average of 41, for the 2012-13 and 2013-14 academic years (Self-imposed by the university).

— A reduction of the number of recruiting days during the spring evaluation period by four, from 168 to 164, for the 2012-13 academic year (Self-imposed by the university).

— A reduction in the number of total scholarships by two, from 85 to 83, for the 2012-13 academic year (Self-imposed by the university).

— A reduction in the number of initial and total scholarships by two, from 25 to 23 and 85 to 83, respectively, for the 2013-14 academic year (Self-imposed by the university).

— For the first two conference contests of the 2013 season, complimentary admissions to football recruits will be prohibited (Self-imposed by the university).

— Disassociation of the booster by the university’s athletics program. Details of the disassociation can be found in the public report (Self-imposed by the university).

Does this mean Kentucky will finally beat Mississippi State???