Louisiana governor: 'You can say farewell to college football next fall'

With Louisiana in financial crisis, recently elected Gov. John Bel Edwards addressed the state Thursday, describing some potential drastic outcomes - including the suspension of LSU football - if lawmakers don't approve a swath of proposed tax increases.

The governor said LSU would be affected as part of drastic cuts to higher education under the doomsday scenario, claiming the school would be unable to pay its bills after April unless the new revenue sources are secured.

"If you are a student attending one of these universities, it means that you will receive a grade of incomplete, many students will not be able to graduate, and student-athletes across the state at those schools will be ineligible to play next semester," Edwards said, according to The Times-Picayune. "That means you can say farewell to college football next fall."

With Heisman hopeful Leonard Fournette being joined by one of the top recruiting classes in the nation, a lost season would be devastating for LSU.

The state's current year budget shortfall has climbed to $940 million, The Times-Picayune reports.