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The highly-ranked 1969 LSU Tigers football team (9-1) did not play in a bowl game, famously getting shut out of the Cotton Bowl and Sugar Bowl due to a scheduling mix-up with Notre Dame, despite being a top contender for the national championship. The team, after being snubbed by the major bowls, chose not to accept bids from lesser bowls like the Gator Bowl, Peach Bowl, or Bluebonnet Bowl, leaving them out of postseason play entirely.

After being passed over by the major bowls, Coach Charlie McClendon asked the players if they wanted to play in a smaller bowl, and they collectively decided against it, holding firm on their decision not to play.