Iowa State and K-State both
rejected bowl games this year. K-State was 6-6, and it was an administrative decision based on a coaching change, and that the team would not represent K-State athletics properly with the portal changes.
Iowa State was 8-4, and they too have a coaching change, but it was the players that voted to not go to a bowl game. One of the reasons given was that they did not want to risk injury on a meaningless game.
Both schools were fines $500,000 for opting out.
Is this the future of the bowl season? Certainly appears so.
16 Replies
I
I85Hokie
7mo
Their fans are among the best traveling in the Big-12.
(In response to this post by Big12 guy)
7mo
Great folks
(In response to this post by I85Hokie)
7mo
It was in Des Moines/West Des Moines. We were hosted by Husker fans. Everyone was great and incredibly welcoming. It was a really good time. I wouldn't mind getting out there again at some time, but I'm not sure what reason I'd have.
(In response to this post by Tailgate Guru)
7mo
(In response to this post by Big12 guy)
7mo
(In response to this post by I85Hokie)
7mo
sometimes shows up and "delivers" more Busch Lite.
(In response to this post by Big12 guy)
7mo
take a $500,000 hit, especially Iowa State which is hemorrhaging for money.
(In response to this post by I85Hokie)
7mo
Just give everyone in FBS the opportunity to schedule 13 games if they want to, like the Hawaii rule. If you can find an opponent and want to schedule a game, or if ESPN/FOX comes to you and asks you to play in a big TV game, great. If not, then don't. The CFP committee has made clear that nothing really matters in the end anyway.
(In response to this post by Big12 guy)
H
HouClone
7mo
around the house after having to burn vacation days at the end of the year or coming home from a boring workday since half the clients and co-workers are on vacation. So it is nice to see a college football game come on. When it comes to the 2nd week+ of the CFP, I am sort of already checked out of college football and have moved on to the NFL.
** Edited by HouClone at 12/11/2025, 3:42:53 PM
(In response to this post by Baltimore_Hokie)
7mo
(In response to this post by HouClone)
7mo
(In response to this post by Baltimore_Hokie)
7mo
eyeballs, and there is a reason the number of bowl games increased over the years.
What I think will happen, is that the city hosting the larger bowl games will start to pay the players NIL money, or prize money. I say this because of the recent regular season basketball tournament in Vegas that did just that, and the post season basketball tournament that does the same thing for team left out of the dance.
Evidently, the extra practices and the ability to give the bench playing time in a real game isn't enough incentive anymore. I also know first hand, that the lower bowls barely pay enough to cover expenses of the G schools playing in them - but it does give them exposure that they would not normally receive.
You are right however, the current system with the expanded playoffs, the portal, and the endless changing in coaches is obsolete.
(In response to this post by Baltimore_Hokie)
7mo
Which is why ESPN has invested in them so heavily, it seems like an increasing % of Americans have between Christmas and New Years off so there's going to be an audience.
If the trend of schools declining invites accelerates that obviously changes things.
(In response to this post by Big12 guy)